Everyone talks about how modern life is “fast-paced,” which is true in many ways, but paradoxically, this lifestyle promotes physical inactivity! We are used to spending long hours working in front of a screen only to go home and relax in front of yet another screen! Our sedentary lifestyle means we expend less energy, but most of us also have easy access to junk foods that are high in calories. Our high-stress jobs often lead us to indulge in these comfort foods, which adds to the issue’s complexity. Combining all these factors has made it extremely difficult for most of us to have a healthy body weight. It’s not surprising that CDC findings show that 74 percent of adults in the US are overweight or obese. We know diet and exercise are crucial factors in losing weight, but changing our habits and lifestyle takes work. This is where probiotics come in – they can provide a much-needed boost to our weight loss efforts.
How to Pick the Right Probiotic for Weight Loss
Probiotics are dietary supplements, not medications, so manufacturers do not require pre-approval from the FDA before their products hit the shelves. This is why you should pick a probiotic that medical experts, such as registered dieticians, have vetted. Ideally, look for a supplement with multiple strains of probiotics, as each one will uniquely support your weight loss journey. It would help if you compared the probiotics for weight loss so that you can understand the pros and cons of each one before making a choice.
5 Ways Probiotics Can Help Your Weight Loss Journey
Reduces Body Weight
Studies on the link between obesity and gut microbiome found that people with obesity have lower populations of many probiotics, including a bacterium called Akkermansia muciniphila.
Scientists theorized that introducing these probiotics into the microbiome could have a positive impact on the microbiome and body weight. Preliminary animal studies backed this theory, and a clinical study proved that this probiotic not only reduced body weight but also caused a decrease in fat mass and hip circumference.
Suppresses Appetite
Ghrelin is a hormone our bodies produce that is involved in appetite regulation. It is also known as the “hunger hormone” since your body releases ghrelin to signal your brain that it’s time to eat. Studies have found that various probiotic strains can impact ghrelin levels, which in turn can help you feel hungry less often. One study found that four probiotics—Lactobacillus casi, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis, and Bifidobacterium bifidum—decreased ghrelin levels and also showed a positive correlation with body weight.
Inhibits Fat Absorption
The term “weight loss diet” is often associated with a restrictive diet that eliminates all your favorite foods. Most people attempt This kind of diet, but it also has the highest failure rate. Instead of trying to overhaul their regular diet at once, health experts advise people to introduce changes to their diet slowly. This allows you to transition to healthier eating habits to lose weight and maintain a healthy body weight. The transition to a healthy daily diet usually takes months, during which you will continue to have at least some of your favorite fried foods, though in smaller servings. A probiotic supplement containing Lactobacillus gasseri will help prevent excess weight gain during your transition phase. Research shows that this probiotic suppresses fat absorption by the body, allowing it to be excreted instead.
Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 (LG2055) has been shown to prevent abdominal adiposity and
suppression of lipid absorption is considered a possible mechanism,
Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 (LG2055) has been shown to avoid abdominal adiposity and
suppression of lipid absorption is regarded as a possible mechanism,
Reduces Existing Fat
Adipose tissue is a loose connective tissue that stores excess energy from your food in the form of fat. When you are overweight, your fat cells become larger, and your total adipose tissue mass increases. You can utilize the fat stored in your body through diet and exercise, which is how you lose weight. Animal research indicates that a probiotic called Bifidobacterium lactis can decrease adipose tissue weight. This means that consuming a supplement with this specific probiotic strain will help you get rid of stubborn fat typically found in your belly, arms, and thighs.
Prevents Emotional Eating
Our mental health plays a crucial role in our eating habits. Obesity is closely linked to anxiety and depression and can form a vicious cycle. Being overweight increases the severity of these mental health conditions, and in turn, anxiety and depression increase the risk of overeating, binge eating, and other eating disorders. Research shows that probiotics can improve the symptoms of depression and anxiety, which, in turn, reduces emotional eating.
My name is Andrea Thompson and I’m a home based freelance writer. I’m 23 years old, married to my best friend, and mother to a wonderfully independent and opinionated 3 year old girl and step-mother to a sweet seven year old boy. I live in a tiny, little town in Kentucky, where I spend my free time fishing with my kids.
Writing has always been my passion, which I followed through high school, and for a while in college. Life happened, and once I discovered we were pregnant, I switched directions; opting for the healthcare industry because of the stability.
Finally, years later, I was in a place where I could leave the day job that never truly made me happy, and pursue my dreams. I’ve built, and am still building, my writing career from scratch. But, I’m passionate and I’m good at what I do. And, in the end, I can prove to my daughter that she can do anything she wants with this life.
