A few months back, we got to spend some time with Angie Christensen of Simply Divine Eating. Not only did we have a blast hanging out, but we also picked her brain about something we’ve been curious (and a little obsessed) with lately—fermented foods.
Jennah’s been making sauerkraut for years, while Jen has been more of a “watch from the sidelines” kind of girl—interested, but not quite ready to dive in. That changed after chatting with Angie. She’s the real deal when it comes to fermentation, and after just one conversation, Jen was inspired to finally give it a go.
Within days, she had jars of curry cauliflower, carrots, red onions, and (of course) sauerkraut fermenting on the counter. The cauliflower, carrots, and onions were ready in just a few days—and she’s been loving every bite. The sauerkraut takes a bit longer, but it’s well worth the wait.
The timing couldn’t have been better. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this season is all about the stomach—and fermented foods are a natural way to support digestion and keep your gut microbiome in balance. So let’s dive into why a healthy gut matters and how bone broth and probiotics can work together to keep things running smoothly.
Why Supporting a Healthy Gut Microbiome Matters
Your gut microbiome is home to trillions of bacteria that play a huge role in digestion, immune health, and even mood. But it doesn’t stop there. Your gut also directly influences cortisol regulation, estrogen metabolism, and overall hormone balance.
Keeping this ecosystem balanced is key to feeling your best — and it takes more than just a probiotic supplement.
To truly support gut health (and your hormones), you need to focus on two things: bone broth and whole food probiotics.
Bone Broth: The Gut-Healing Powerhouse
Bone broth is more than a trendy health drink — it’s packed with nutrients that help repair and strengthen the gut lining. Ingredients like collagen, gelatin, and amino acids (especially glutamine and glycine) create an ideal environment for healthy gut bacteria to grow and thrive.
Think of bone broth as prepping the “soil” so your probiotics can take root and flourish.
But here’s where it becomes even more important for hormone health:
A damaged gut lining contributes to inflammation. Inflammation signals stress. Stress raises cortisol. And chronically elevated cortisol disrupts progesterone, thyroid function, blood sugar balance, and even sleep quality.
The amino acids in bone broth — particularly glycine — also help calm the nervous system. Glycine has been shown to support deeper sleep and a more regulated stress response, which directly benefits cortisol rhythm.
When the gut is supported, inflammation lowers.
When inflammation lowers, cortisol stabilizes.
When cortisol stabilizes, hormones can begin to rebalance naturally.
Probiotics: The Good Bacteria Your Gut Microbiome Needs
Probiotics are the beneficial bacteria that help maintain a healthy gut microbiome. They aid digestion, support the immune system, and can even boost mood and energy levels.
But they also play a crucial role in hormone metabolism.
Your gut contains what’s known as the estrobolome — a collection of bacteria responsible for metabolizing and clearing estrogen. If this system isn’t functioning properly, estrogen can recirculate in the body, contributing to PMS, heavy cycles, breast tenderness, and mood swings.
Balanced gut bacteria help:
- Regulate estrogen recycling
- Reduce inflammatory signaling
- Support stable blood sugar (which stabilizes cortisol)
- Improve neurotransmitter production like serotonin
And here’s the catch: probiotics work best when they come from whole food sources and are supported by a healthy gut environment — like the one bone broth helps create.
Best Sources of Whole Food Probiotics
Instead of relying on supplements alone, aim to include naturally fermented foods in your diet. These are rich in live probiotics and enzymes:
- Yogurt with live cultures
- Kefir
- Sauerkraut
- Kimchi
- Miso
- Tempeh
- Naturally fermented pickles and other veggies (not vinegar-based)
Adding just a few servings of these probiotic-rich foods per week can make a big difference — not just for digestion, but for mood stability, cortisol balance, and hormone regulation.
You can learn to make your own just like Jen did in Angie’s online academy.
How to Combine Bone Broth and Probiotics for Optimal Gut + Hormone Health
Supporting your gut microbiome is simple — and powerful.
Start your day with a warm mug of bone broth to nourish and heal your gut lining. The protein and amino acids also help stabilize morning blood sugar, which sets your cortisol rhythm for the entire day.
Then, include fermented foods throughout your meals to deliver whole food probiotics that your gut can absorb and use.
This combo works together:
- Bone broth repairs and strengthens the gut lining
- Probiotics populate it with beneficial bacteria
- Stable gut bacteria reduce inflammation
- Lower inflammation supports healthy cortisol rhythm
- Balanced cortisol allows progesterone and other hormones to function properly
It’s all connected.
Final Thoughts
A healthy gut microbiome needs both a strong foundation and the right bacteria. Bone broth and whole food probiotics are the perfect team to support digestion, boost immunity, stabilize cortisol, and improve overall hormone balance.
When your gut is inflamed, your body feels stressed.
When your gut is supported, your body feels safe.
And when your body feels safe, healing becomes possible.
Start small. Sip some broth. Add in fermented foods. Support your stress response.
Give your gut — and your hormones — what they need to thrive.
If you’re looking for a few other things you can add to your healthy gut routine, and you can find them in this blog post.
