Supplements That Support Hormones Before a Workout (and How They Help Your Gut Too!)

Energy dips faster, recovery takes longer, and hormones can make even simple exercise feel harder than it used to.

The good news?

A few smart supplements taken before your workout can support your hormones, boost your metabolism, and even improve gut health—because your hormone balance and gut health are deeply connected. Think of your gut as your body’s “control center.”

When your gut is functioning well, your hormones communicate better, your energy stays stable, and your workouts feel more effective.

Functional Medicine Los Angeles provides personalized, root-cause wellness strategies to help women in midlife improve hormone balance, strengthen gut health, and maximize workout performance using science-backed functional medicine approaches.

At Functional Medicine Los Angeles, women in midlife learn how targeted supplements can support both hormone balance and digestive health for better workout performance.

Here are the best science-backed supplements to support your hormones and your gut—especially for women in midlife.

1. Magnesium: Calms Hormones + Supports Muscles + Helps Digestion Magnesium is one of the most important minerals for women, especially over 40. Why it’s great before workouts:

→Helps your muscles activate and relax properly
→Supports adrenal glands → lowers stress response
→Prevents cramps and tension

How it helps your gut:

1. Reduces bloating
2. Eases constipation
3. Helps regulate digestive movement
4. Supports a calmer nervous system (your gut LOVES that)

In short: Magnesium keeps your stress hormones steady and your gut relaxed—so your workout feels smoother, not stressful.

2. Creatine: Strength for Muscles + Clarity for the Brain Most women think creatine is only for bodybuilders. Reality? It’s one of the Midlife.

Before workout benefits:

1. Boosts muscle strength
2. Improves power and endurance
3. Supports brain function (yes, your brain needs energy too!)

Gut connection: Creatine helps your cells produce energy more efficiently, which reduces overall stress on the body—meaning fewer cortisol spikes that often trigger…

→ bloating
→ cravings
→ gut inflammation

A calmer body = a calmer gut.

3. BCAAs: Helpful if You Train Fasted or Low Energy BCAA supplements give your muscles quick amino acids, especially helpful if you:

✔ skip breakfast
✔ have low appetite in the morning
✔ work out early

Workout benefits:

1. Protect muscle from breaking down
2. Improve workout energy
3. Support hormone balance by keeping blood sugar steady

Gut connection:

Balanced blood sugar means less stress on your gut and fewer emergency cortisol spikes that cause bloating and fatigue. Clients seeking Functional Medicine Toluca Lake often benefit from personalized recommendations for BCAAs and amino acid support, especially when training fasted.

4. Electrolytes: Immediate Energy + Hydration Hydration becomes trickier during midlife due to hormone shifts, making electrolytes essential.

Before workout benefits:

1. Prevents dizziness and fatigue
2. Supports energy levels
3. Helps muscles fire properly

Gut connection:

Electrolytes help your gut absorb water better, improving digestion and preventing constipation or bloating from dehydration.

5. Adaptogens: Balance Stress Hormones Adaptogens like ashwagandha and rhodiola help the body handle stress—physical and emotional.

Before workout benefits:

1. Keeps cortisol stable
2. Improves emotional balance
3. Supports stamina

Gut connection:

Your gut has its own “nervous system.” When cortisol stays high, digestion slows, bloating increases, and inflammation rises. Adaptogens help calm the stress response → your gut stays peaceful.

Why Gut Health Matters in Every Workout

When your gut is healthy:

1. Your hormones respond better
2. Your energy stays stable
3. You burn fat more efficiently
4. Your recovery improves
5. You manage cravings easily

A stressed gut can make workouts harder. A supported gut makes workouts feel amazing.

Women exploring Functional Medicine Glendale often discover how deeply gut health and hormonal balance influence their stamina, metabolism, and workout recovery.

Simple Pre-Workout Stack for Women 40+

1. Magnesium
2. Creatine (3–5g)
3. Electrolytes
4. Optional: BCAAs if you train fasted
5. Optional: Adaptogens (personalized based on stress)

You don’t need a long list of supplements—just the right ones. Supporting your hormones + supporting your gut = better energy, better metabolism, and better workouts, especially in midlife.