1
Last meal 3 hours before sleep. The gut performs deepest repair during sleep — but only when not still digesting. Non-negotiable during active gut healing.
2
Bone broth or collagen drink 1 hour before sleep. Glycine and proline are the direct building blocks of the gut lining. Glycine also improves sleep quality by calming the nervous system.
3
Prebiotic foods at dinner. Cooked and cooled potato, green banana, leek, asparagus, garlic. Feed the bacteria that produce butyrate — the primary energy source for gut lining cells.
4
Magnesium glycinate 200-400mg. Relaxes the gut wall, improves gut motility overnight, reduces cortisol. Glycinate form best tolerated by a compromised gut.
5
Screens off 60 minutes before sleep. Blue light suppresses melatonin. Melatonin is produced in the gut and regulates intestinal permeability directly. Protecting sleep protects the gut lining.
6
Probiotic before sleep — away from food. L. rhamnosus GG, L. plantarum, or B. longum. Away from food and stomach acid for best colonisation. Gut flora rebuilding is primarily a night process.
Avoid in the evening
Alcohol — directly increases gut permeability. Eating within 2 hours of sleep. Antihistamines unless essential. Stress-inducing content — cortisol spikes degrade the gut lining.