Probiotics through food or supplements play a vital role in giving relief from gut-related issues. Probiotics have proved to have a good influence over the overall gut health by regulating bowel and digestion. As weight loss is linked with gut health, probiotics play a huge role in reducing weight and belly fat. Probiotics keep our gut healthy which is effective while working out for weight loss.
The effect of the Gut on weight loss
The gut plays an important role in losing weight. The body contains many healthy bacteria in the guts which functions to keep the body healthy. The bacteria of the gut come in contact with the food we eat as they line along with the intestine wall. This affects the nutrients that are absorbed by the body as well as the stored energy.
The quality or type of the bacteria in the gut defines if the body is more prone to obesity. Gut bacteria is highly responsible for weight fluctuation in the body which is because of the influence of bacteria while digesting different food. Certain bacteria can break down and release healthy chemicals from complex food products which is good for the guts and results in weight loss. The gut bacteria check weight gain by digesting flavinoids which as a kind of complex antioxidant.
There are two types of bacteria responsible for weight loss depending on the kind of food we consume:
- Prevotella: digests carbohydrates and fiber. It has been proved that prevotella bacteria helps in losing more body fat than bacteroidetes.
- Bacteroidetes: for people who consume more fat and animal protein.
Thus, gut bacteria decides how the fat from the food will be absorbed in the intestine which affects the fat storage in the body. Lipopolysaccharide is a chemical that causes inflammation when it passes through the bloodstream. Some of the bad gut bacteria cause inflammation by producing lipopolysaccharide which results in weight gain.
Some of the gut bacteria produce chemicals that make one feel hungry on full accordingly. Propionate is a kind of short-chain fatty acid which is responsible for reduced food intake and weight gain.
Probiotics
Probiotics help the gut to remain healthy by replacing and balancing the good and the bad bacteria in the body. Some of the common health conditions that probiotics help are:
- Diarrhea as a result of consuming antibiotics
- Diarrhea caused by bacteria, parasites or virus
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Oral health
- Vaginal and urinary health
- Skin conditions
- Relief from colds and allergies
- Weight loss
Probiotics show the best result when it is used with other healthy habits such as:
- Diet: probiotics used with a healthy diet such as leafy vegetables, colorful fruits, and other nutrients yield better results.
- Fermented food: food such as yogurt and other fermented foods is a good source of probiotics.
Types of probiotics
Probiotics store fat, make the body feel full, and absorb calories which helps in managing weight loss. The major bacteria are grouped into two types of probiotics, namely:
- Lactobacillus gasseri: this strain is the most common type which helps in weight loss, managing BMI, and reducing fat percentage and waist circumference in people who are struggling with obesity. Yogurt and fermented food consist of this strain of probiotics which have anti-obesity properties. It also helps digestion in people who are lactose intolerant and are prone to frequent diarrhea. Consuming lactobacillus gasseri for 12 weeks approximately has shown positive results of reduction of body weight by 8%.
- Bifidobacterium: other than managing weight loss, it gives relief from irritable bowel syndrome. Dairy products consist of this strain of probiotics. It has been proved that bifidobacterium have shown more significant results compared to that of consuming placebo.
There is a variety of probiotic supplements available in the market with these two above-mentioned groups. There are alternatives available too in the form of food that can be consumed for weight loss. Some of the alternatives to probiotic supplements are:
- Olives
- Yogurt
- Soft cheese
- Kombucha
- Kimchi
- Apple cider vinegar
- Fermented prickles
- Buttermilk
Read more: Best diet for weight loss
Importance of probiotics in the diet
- Reduces water loss through skin and dryness of the skin
- Helps in strengthening the immunity
- Prevents colds and allergies
- Improves urinary and vaginal health
- Helps in weight loss
How probiotics help in regulating body weight
Probiotics release short fatty acids such as propionate, acetate, and butyrate, affecting energy usage and storage. They also check inflammation, storage of dietary fat, and increase the fat defecated. Probiotics release certain hormones to stimulate the appetite. Increased levels of hormones like peptide YY and glucagon-like peptide 1 aid the body in burning fat and calories. They reduce fat storage capacity by increasing the amount of Angiprotein like 4 that regulates fat. It also tends to enhance sensitivity to insulin which aids in weight loss.
Probiotics give protection against obesity and other health-related diseases if the gut lining is healthy and strong. Solely depending on losing weight on probiotics will not yield the best results. It is beneficial to have probiotics for weight loss along with other healthy lifestyle activities. Having a balanced diet food and regular physical exercise will be beneficial for losing weight on probiotics.
Conclusion
Good bacteria affect metabolism by helping the body to make short-chained fatty acids, ferment fibers, break down carbohydrates, etc. Thus Probiotics in the form of food and supplements showed a positive effect on body weight when consumed with a whole-food diet. Probiotics are good bacteria that help in digestive health and control inflammation and cardiovascular risk factors besides managing weight loss. The best probiotics depend on factors such as age, probiotic type, initial weight, dosage, and duration. Thus, it is important to consult a doctor and take a gut biome test before depending on probiotics for weight loss.
In Sova Health, we have our best weight control supplement which helps in rapid weight loss, restores the gut microbiome, boosts metabolism, burns belly fat, and checks cravings. Our probiotics for weight loss give relief from imbalanced and heavy guts. Our dedication to the cause is visible through the diversity of our probiotics products according to the concern.
By adding probiotics to your lifestyle, you can not only fight with weight loss but also get relief from many health conditions that are directly or indirectly related to the gut. They restore gut balance and help in digestion which improves the overall quality of your life.
