Gut Health, Healing & Indulgence: The Path to Balance

Welcome back, Warriors!

This week’s conversation on the Suburban Warrior Podcast is one you won’t want to miss. I sat down with Xeba Zareie, founder of PREME, a premium gut health brand designed for even the most sensitive stomachs. Her story is raw, relatable, and deeply inspiring.

Xeba grew up with chronic gut issues, endured years of hospital visits, and faced the frustrating cycle of antibiotics, probiotics, and endless “healthy” diets that didn’t work. It wasn’t until she turned to functional medicine that she uncovered the deeper connections between food, emotions, stress, and gut health. From that point on, she became her own health advocate—and her own healer.

What I love most about Xeba is her fierce determination. Instead of settling for snacks and supplements that left her sicker, she went into her own kitchen and built something better: PREME. Today, PREME is a line of prebiotic electrolyte drink mixes and prebiotic fiber that actually taste good, actually work, and don’t leave you bloated. Because as Xeba says, indulgence should be possible for everyone—even if you have gut issues.

From Bloat to Balance: Xeba’s 7 Breakthroughs

1. Your gut is your command center. Hormones, mood, digestion, immunity—everything is connected. When your gut suffers, your whole body feels it.

2. Emotions matter. Chronic stress and unresolved trauma can fry your nervous system, making it harder for your gut to heal. Daily nervous system care is just as important as drinking water.

3. Prebiotics > Probiotics (for many of us). Probiotics aren’t always the answer—especially if you have SIBO or bacterial overgrowth. Xeba discovered that low-FODMAP prebiotic fibers were the real game-changer.

4. Healing takes time. There’s no magic pill. Gut health is rebuilt over months and years with consistent, holistic lifestyle shifts.

5. Leaky gut is real. Environmental toxins, processed foods, pesticides, and even stress can damage your gut lining. Supporting repair is just as important as balancing bacteria.

6. Don’t settle for less. Most gut-friendly snacks on shelves are full of sugar or bloating fibers. PREME was born to fill this gap—with tasty, functional products you actually crave.

7. Self-advocacy is everything. Whether it’s a GI specialist, a functional medicine doctor, or a naturopath—if it’s not working, keep looking. You know your body best.

Your gut deserves care that feels indulgent, not restrictive.

Want to learn more about PREME and Xeba’s story? Listen to the full episode below.

Landmark Study in Nature Microbiology: Gut Microbiome Linked to Perimenopause Symptom Severity

This brand-new study, published in Nature Microbiology in August 2025, is a collaboration between researchers from Harvard University, the University of Groningen, and the NIH. It explores how the gut microbiome shapes the experience of perimenopause—and opens the door to entirely new, non-hormonal treatment options for millions of women.

Key Findings:

• Large cohort: The research tracked 1,800+ perimenopausal women, analyzing both their gut microbiomes (via stool samples) and the severity of a wide range of symptoms.

• Microbial diversity matters: Women with lower gut microbe diversity—a state known as dysbiosis—reported significantly worse symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and joint pain.

• Missing beneficial strains: Particularly notable was the reduction of strains that produce equol, a compound that transforms dietary soy into potent, estrogen-like molecules. Women lacking these bacteria saw fewer benefits from phytoestrogens in their diet.

• Neurotransmitter link: The study also pinpointed the role of specific gut bacteria tied to serotonin and GABA production, offering a biological explanation for anxiety and depressive symptoms during this transition.

• A self-perpetuating cycle: Hormonal changes in perimenopause disrupt the gut microbiome, which then impairs inflammation control and hormone metabolism—and feeds back, worsening symptoms.

Why This Study Matters:

• Moves beyond anecdote: This is one of the first large-scale, data-driven studies that clearly establishes a biological link between perimenopause symptoms and gut microbiome health.

• Non-hormonal options on the horizon: For those who can't or won't pursue hormone therapy, this study points toward microbiome-based interventions—from targeted probiotics and prebiotics to diet and lifestyle changes.

• Personalization is key: The findings illuminate why some women respond well to dietary phytoestrogens while others don’t—it can come down to your individual gut bacteria.

• Bridges gut and brain health: Tapping into gut-based pathways for neurotransmitter production offers a potential lifeline for women experiencing mood-related symptoms during perimenopause.

Summary Snapshot

Ready to Reclaim Your Health in Midlife?

Reclaiming your health in midlife isn’t just possible—it’s powerful. Whether you’re feeling out of balance, run down, or simply not like yourself, this is your moment to take charge. The From ‘Pause to Power Roadmap is your free, practical guide to navigating perimenopause with clarity, confidence, and zero shame. Download it now and take the first step toward feeling stronger, more energized, and unapologetically you.

Ready to Warrior Up!

Listen to the Full Episode: Suburban Warrior podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

Thank you for reading—and remember, knowledge is power! If you’re experiencing symptoms, don’t ignore them. There is help (and hope) out there. Stay tuned for our next newsletter to keep transforming your mindset and rocking your inner warrior!