People often ask me, ‘What do you think about probiotics and weight loss? Can they be used together? Can you have too much of one and not enough of the other?’
I always tell them, ‘It depends on what you mean by ‘weight loss’ and ‘too much’ of something. You can definitely take too much of certain things and have serious health consequences. For example, eating too much sugar will make you fat and possibly lead to diabetes. But you can also be deficient in certain nutrients and be at risk for various diseases. Just because a substance or food is good for you does not mean that you should eat as much of it as you can. On the contrary, you should try to eat a healthy, balanced diet and watch what you consume. With that said, sometimes diets don’t work for people and, especially in the case of obesity, it can be quite frustrating to try and fail repeatedly. Luckily, there are other options. One of them is taking supplements, specifically probiotics, which can help improve your body’s natural defenses and fight disease.
The (So Far) Undiscovered Relationship Between Probiotics And Obesity
It wasn’t until fairly recently that scientists started discovering the potential connection between obesity and probiotics. Up until then, people assumed that having too much of one thing (i.e., sugar) must mean that you are lacking in some other area (i.e., nutrients).
When it comes to probiotics and obesity, there are a few studies that have been done, but they have all been funded by either the dairy industry or the supplement industry, which could affect their findings. However, what the studies have found is fascinating and may offer some hope to people seeking to avoid obesity.
Probiotics Can Help Improve Your Body’s Natural Defenses
In some cases, obesity can be attributed to a weakened immune system. This is mostly due to our modern lifestyles – we are more likely to get sick, we are more likely to need antibiotics, and those antibiotics may be damaging the gut flora of the patient.
This is where probiotics can come in. According to research, supplementing with probiotics can help improve your body’s natural defenses and fight against pathogens. When someone is deficient in certain nutrients (vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants), their body’s immune system may not function at its peak, which makes them more susceptible to infections. When you supplement with probiotics, they can help improve the body’s natural defenses and fight against infections. What’s more, some studies have suggested that certain species of probiotics can help with weight loss. Below, I’ll discuss the various ways that probiotics can help you lose weight.
Probiotics Can Help Improve Your Digestion
It is well known that the human body relies heavily on the gut for digestion. The food we eat is mostly broken down in the stomach and small intestine into a form that the body can utilize. Many digestion problems can lead to weight gain. If your digestion is bad, you may not absorb nutrients from the food you eat, which in turn can lead to malnutrition and poor health. Sometimes this can even lead to obesity.
Probiotics can help improve the digestion of food by increasing the rate at which your body absorbs nutrients from what you eat. In some cases, this can lead to weight loss. For example, by improving the digestion of carbohydrates, you can lead to more calories being burned due to increased insulin sensitivity. In turn, this can help with weight loss.
Probiotics Can Help Reduce Inflammation
As I mentioned above, obesity can be caused by a lack of certain nutrients in the body. These nutrients mostly affect the health of the immune system, which is responsible for keeping pathogens at bay. When the immune system is not functioning properly, it cannot do its job of fighting infections, and this can lead to an increased risk of sickness. Some diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis, are even associated with poor gut health.
If your body is not producing enough antioxidants, it will not be able to keep its cells from aging too quickly. Antioxidants keep your body’s cells young and healthy by neutralizing and removing toxins that would otherwise damage the cells. One way probiotics can help reduce inflammation is by increasing the production of antioxidants in the body. In some cases, this can lead to weight loss. One example of this would be vitamin A, which encourages the production of antibodies, fights infection, and promotes immune system function. Taking vitamin A supplements has been shown to improve the condition of patients with Crohn’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis, both of which are associated with bad gut flora. These benefits may help explain why taking vitamin A supplements can lead to weight loss in some cases.
Probiotics Can Help In The Production Of Short-Chain Fatty Acids
Short-chain fatty acids are the building blocks of cell membranes, where they help form the walls of the cells. These acids are especially important for children’s growth and development since they cannot manufacture them themselves. The human body does not produce these acids naturally, and it relies heavily on them to stay healthy.
When food is broken down in the digestive system into simpler molecules, these molecules are absorbed into the blood and utilized by the cells for energy. One important molecule for energy is glucose. Glucose is absorbed into the bloodstream better in the presence of certain short-chain fatty acids. These acids are made by the bacteria in your gut and promote the process of glucose absorption. In some cases, taking short-chain fatty acids, like those made by the bacteria in your gut, can help improve the absorption of glucose, which in turn can help with weight loss.
Probiotics Can Enhance The Activity Of Certain Enzymes
Certain enzymes in the body play a vital role in metabolism, the process by which your body converts food into energy. One important group of enzymes is the phosphatases. These enzymes play a role in fat digestion and energy production. When the activity of these enzymes is low, it can cause obesity.
The activity of these enzymes can be improved by the probiotic bacteria in your gut. One particular species of bacteria, Bifidobacterium, has been shown to increase the activity of some enzymes and thus improve energy production, which can help with weight loss.
The Possible Role Of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) In Obesity Treatment
Fecal microbiota transplantation is a form of oral re-biosis, where the gut microbiomes of someone with healthy gut flora are transplanted into the gut of the patient. In some cases, this can help with weight loss. The primary driver of this therapy is pseudobiotics, which are essentially harmless bacteria that look and act like real bacteria, but are not (yet) recognized as such by the FDA. In some cases, this therapy has been shown to result in significant weight loss, especially in the context of obesity treatment. One reason why this treatment may be effective is that it allows the body to naturally produce short-chain fatty acids that improve glucose absorption and energy production. In turn, this can help with weight loss.
With that said, this is still considered to be a fairly experimental form of therapy, and health practitioners are still learning about its long-term effects. In most cases, it’s recommended that this therapy be combined with a healthy diet and exercise regimen, since no proven cases of obesity have been reported in relation to this treatment.
How To Consume Probiotics To Lose Weight?
To reap the benefits of probiotics, you’ll need to consume them in some form. There are several ways that you can do this, such as by taking a supplement or by eating fermented foods. Below, I’ll discuss the various options that you have.
Take A Supplement
If you’re looking for an easy way to consume probiotics, you can always take a supplement. Most supplements contain a combination of various strains of bacteria, such as Bifidobacteria. The main function of these bacteria is to aid with digestion and nutrient absorption. Some studies have even suggested that taking a probiotic supplement can result in weight loss. In terms of a recommended dosage, most experts agree that between 10 and 15 grams per day is a safe and effective dose. Just remember that while supplements are convenient, they are not a complete nutritional solution, and you must also ensure that you eat a healthy diet.