Probiotics are “good bacteria” that live in your gut. They are essential for your health. Studies have shown that eating probiotic-rich foods can improve gut health and help with weight loss.
There are two main types of probiotics: Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Lactobacillus, found in milk, yogurt, and some sour cream dishes, improves digestion while Bifidobacterium, found in nuts and dark chocolate, helps maintain good health in the gut.
One of the health concerns associated with obesity is the number of food allergies and intolerances that are likely to develop as a result of excessive weight gain. Eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia are also more common in people with obesity. This makes them more susceptible to infections and unhealthier overall.
Because of this, if you are an obese woman, you may want to consider eating probiotics for health reasons. The following are some of the ways that probiotics may help you lose weight:
Probiotics Help To Improve Digestion
If you are experiencing digestion issues, you may want to consider eating probiotics. Bacteria in your gut help to break down food by producing various digestive enzymes. When your gut flora is healthy, you will have a clearer mind and better digestion. This means you may be able to lose weight without even noticing.
Anxiety and depression are also common health concerns for people with digestion issues. While these are common in people who are suffering from both obesity and a deficiency in bacteria, probiotics may help to improve mood and decrease anxiety. This again may lead to weight loss.
Reduce Appetite
Many people with obesity struggle with their appetite. While they may not eat more than those of a normal weight, they may feel that they need to consume more due to their large size. Some scientists believe that this may be because of a deficiency in dopamine, a hormone produced in the brain that controls appetite. Eating a diet high in fiber and low in fats and sugars may help to regulate your appetite and allow you to lose weight.
If you have tried to lose weight without success, you may want to try eating more probiotics. According to studies, obese people who consumed a Lactobacillus-containing supplement for 12 weeks experienced a significant decrease in their appetite. While this may seem like an obvious conclusion based on the information presented so far, it is still a safe and healthy choice to consider.
Protect Against Infections
A healthy gut is an important part of your immune system, and it helps to protect you from infections and illness. Bacteria in your gut act as an immunologist, signaling the body’s white blood cells to attack and kill invading pathogens.
Being overweight reduces the body’s ability to fight infections and illnesses, resulting in more frequent infections and unhealthier overall. Probiotics are essential for your gut health and can help to protect against infections, including HIV and hepatitis B and C. Eating a diet rich in fiber and low in fats and sugars may also prevent certain viruses from proliferating in your gut.
Antibiotics are medications that kill off the “bad bacteria” that cause infections and illness. For this reason, if you are taking antibiotics, you may want to consider eating probiotics. However, make sure that you consult your physician first before you start taking supplements.
Improve Overall Health
Probiotics may also help to improve your overall health. The vast majority of research regarding the link between gut flora and human health has centered on immune-related issues, such as allergy and asthma. If you are not suffering from these types of ailments, the benefits of eating probiotics may still be good for you.
Some studies suggest that eating fermented dairy products like yogurt and kefir every day may help to improve your health. This is because the good bacteria within these products help improve the health of your gut. Additionally, some species of Bifidobacterium may be able to ward off infection. So not only will eating the right bacteria help to improve your gut health, it may also help protect you against certain types of infection.
Choosing the right food for your body is an important aspect of losing weight. Not only does eating the right diet improve your chance of losing weight, but it also helps to prevent you from becoming overweight or obese in the first place. Since probiotics are “good bacteria,” they may help to improve your overall health and weight loss efforts. Eating the recommended foods for a healthy diet may also help to restore healthy gut flora and help to keep the weight off for good.