So What Are They Exactly
Probiotics are micro-organisms such as bacteria and yeasts that can provide health benefits when consumed. While some bacteria are bad for us, most are harmless and many actually help us stay healthy. In fact without them our digestive functions, our immune system and our health in general would be at risk.
Our bodies are home to as many as 100 trillion microbes more cells in our bodies are foreign microbes than are human DNA. Most of these microbes live in our gut, supporting our digestion and our immune system, fighting infection and regulating our metabolism. They even influence our cravings, our mood and our mental health .
While Scientists are a long way from understanding exactly how each of the different strains and species of which there are many- interact and influence our health, they are in agreement that a normal and healthy microbiome is one that is a diverse and balanced ecosystem and that many health conditions including obesity and diabetes lack this diversity and balance of probiotic bacteria.
Intestinal Bacteria Are Involved In Metabolism
However, gut bacteria could play a role in how efficiently the body burns calories. Many intestinal bacteria are at the metabolism of nutrients involved. Some types of bacteria are more useful than others in this regard.
According to Dr. Shah contributes to the development of numerous medically relevant disorders in the body.
How Probiotics Influence Weight
Your digestive system is a busy factory of trillions of bacteria. Some of these bacteria are friendly, helping you digest food and absorb nutrientswhile others can be harmful. When your gut is functioning optimally, theres a healthy balance that helps good bacteria keep the bad ones in check.
If something throws this complex system out of balance, such as an illness, poor diet, stress, or medication, the bacteria in your gut can shift in the wrong direction.
Research shows that a change in the amount or type of bacteria in your gut can affect your health, and contribute to weight gain, increased fat storage, and sometimes make it harder to lose weight .
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Best Shelf Life: Probulin Trimsynergy
Probulin advertises that they transport their products in cold boxes during shipping, which helps maintain probiotic levels.
This product features 10 strains of probiotics and herbal ingredients such as the adaptogen ashwaganda.
A person can take this vegan, gluten-free product twice a day.
When looking for a probiotic, a person may make some considerations.
A Natural Alternative To Losing Weight
If youre looking for a natural way to lose weight, then probiotics may be the answer.
We all know that diet and exercise are key parts of any healthy lifestyle, but sometimes those things just dont cut it. So what do we do?
We turn to more drastic measures- supplements or medications- in order to help promote weight loss. But these methods often come with side effects and other risks, which is why an increasing number of people are turning to probiotics as a safer alternative.
Scientific research has shown that certain strains of bacteria can actually improve metabolism and aid in digestion by breaking down food faster- both major contributors to losing weight. And unlike pills or powders, probiotics come from something we already eat- foods like yogurt.
Of course, its important to note that this isnt about taking more food or eating different foods. Its really just about changing the types of foods you eat so you can get the most benefits from them.
The good news is that there are many weight loss-friendly foods out there that are high in probiotics, like yogurt, sauerkraut, and kimchi. So add a few of these to your diet and see how you feel.
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Life Extensions Florassist Gi With Phage Technology
âWeâre big fans of Life Extensionâs Florassist GI Phage because it is unique and it includes bacteriophages and a proprietary probiotic blend thatâs been shown to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and promote the growth of good bacteria,â say The Nutrition Twins . âItâs designed to reach the lower intestine for a greater benefit,â they continue, specifying that this is key since many probiotics donât do this and that accounts for why they donât work.
Bonus rec? âWe live for their magnesium, too. So helpful during these stressful times, itâs like a massage before bed.â
Reduces Risk Of Inflammation And Obesity
According to a 2020 research review, taking probiotics may lower obesity risk by boosting levels of fat-regulating proteins. Increased levels of proteins may cause your body to store less fat.
- Lactobacillus fermentum
- Lactobacillus sakei
In a small 2020 study in 114 adults with obesity, those who took the supplementLactobacillus sakei for 12 weeks experienced significant reductions in body fat mass and waist size compared with a those who took a placebo.
Theres also loads of evidence to suggest Lactobacillus gasseri has a major impact on weight loss, including studies from 2010, 2013, and 2015.
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How Long Does It Take To Lose Weight When Taking Probiotics
Research on the benefits of using probiotics for weight loss is still in its infancy. However, preliminary studies and the opinions of medical professionals suggest that they can help you lose weight within 4 to 8 weeks. For example, one study showed that people eating yogurt with certain probiotics lowered their body fat.
As with any other supplement, everybody has their own experience. You need to be patient to get results.
Furthermore, you shouldnt expect probiotics to help with weight loss on their own. You still need to make positive lifestyle changes, such as eating healthier and exercising.
Can Probiotics Cause Weight Gain
While some probiotic species are noted for effects on weight loss, these effects may vary by strain. For example, while L. gasseri BNR17 showed weight loss effects in a clinical trial,³ L. gasseri L66-5 promoted weight gain in a different trial. This means its important to pay attention to the genus, species, and strain to find a product promoting weight loss.
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Can Prebiotics Help You Lose Weight
Prebiotic supplements can help with your digestive health, your immune function, and even your cognitive performance. But can prebiotics help you lose weight?
Prebiotic supplements are becoming more popular all the time. For the last few years, probiotics have dominated the gut health market. But recently prebiotics have become more widely-used people are finally realising that the best prebiotics can help you way more than probiotics can, and that they cause far fewer side effects.
The main reason people use prebiotic supplements is to maximize digestive health.
Some people also use prebiotics to enhance mental performance. The gut and mind are closely linked . Fixing your gut microbiome has a profound effect on your mental functioning.
But a small number of people are now using prebiotics to promote weight loss.
If you read our detailed PrebioThrive review, youll see that this is a major selling point of this popular prebiotic.
Is this a good idea? Do prebiotics help you lose weight? Lets take a look at the science.
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Things All Effective Probiotics Must Have
Based on our research and feedback from our Smarter Shoppers, these are the things to look for in an exceptional probiotic supplement:
High CFU Count
Since our microbiome is composed of about 100 trillion good and bad bacteria, a high number of Colony Forming Units will have greater impact on the growth of beneficial bacteria within our gut. 23 Its essential to choose a probiotic which specifies CFU versus active cultures or live cultures. Look for a formula with a minimum of 40 billion CFU.
Prebiotics
The latest research shows that fiber-based prebiotics feed the probiotics, helping them to populate and flourish in our gut. 24 Choose probiotics supplements containing prebiotics to significantly increase the overall effectiveness of the probiotic.
Clinically Studied Strains
There are hundreds of different probiotics strains, but many have never been proven effective. The best way to identify the potency of a particular strain is to look at the clinical studies backing it up. To find out if a particular strain has clinical backing, search the strain name on the internet. Look for strains proven effective by clinical studies.
Formulated By A Doctor
It takes specific expertise to form an effective probiotic formulation. More is not necessarily better. The exact combination of strain type, potency, quantity, and prebiotics determines the products quality. Look for real doctors specializing in gut health backing the product.
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Probiotics Arent Just Good For Weight Loss They Are Great For Weight Loss
Although there isnt a substitute for eating well, getting lots of sleep, and exercising regularly, supplementing with a probiotic is a proven and powerful way to promote weight loss.
There are a few studies that have shown just how good probiotics are for losing weight:
- A group of 125 obese individuals took either a probiotic or a placebo pill for three months. The probiotic group lost a stunning 50% more weight compared to the control group11.
- Another group, this time with 114 overweight adults showed that supplementing with a probiotic for 12-weeks decreased waist circumference and body fat mass compared to a placebo group12. The researchers also noticed that there were no serious side effects with taking the probiotic.
- And finally, a meta-analysis of 15 studies on probiotics and weight loss consistently found that supplementation could help individuals lose weight and decrease overall body fat percentage14.
Is There A Recommended Probiotic Dosage Or Intake Suggestion
No. There is currently no research to suggest an ideal number of CFUs or preferred methods of consuming probiotics.
7 sourcescollapsed
- Álvarez-Arraño, V., et al. . Effects of Probiotics and Synbiotics on Weight Loss in Subjects with Overweight or Obesity: A Systematic Review.
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How Your Gut Bacteria Affect Weight Loss
Your gut contains many different bacteria, which are part of your microbiome, a collection of over 100 trillion microbes.
These bacteria all work together to help your body do the following:
- Break down nutrients
- Keep your gut lining healthy
- Influence your immune system
Dysbiosis happens when the bacteria in your gut become unbalanced. This can cause digestive problems like irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease, along with allergies and even brain disorders.
But the way bacteria affect your weight is still not fully understood. One study done on sets of twins found that those who were obese had less diversity of gut bacteria compared to those who were lean.
Other studies have discovered that certain bacteria strains may slow down weight gain. Some strains can reduce waist size, while others may help with weight loss. However, some researchers have not been able to find any connection between bacteria and weight.
Most scientists do agree that bacteria affect your metabolism. They do so by helping your body:
The Gut And Human Body Weight
Previously, medical science didnt pay much attention to the balance of bacteria in the gut. We now know that a healthy microbiota is strongly associated with good overall physical and mental health.7
Gut microbiota contains two strands of bacteria which help us regulate weight.8,9 Multiple studies have found that overweight people have imbalanced bacteria compared with those at a healthy weight.10,11,12,13 However, researchers are yet to discover why and whether its a cause or effect of obesity.14
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How Do Probiotics Effect Obesity
Probiotics restore the microbiota to a lean gut microbiota. They do this by:
- Modulating the composition of the gut microbiota composition and metabolism.
- Offering an antimicrobial activity. Reducing the growth of pathogenic microorganisms and their ability to adhere to the intestinal mucosa and epithelium .
- Reduce intestinal permeability. Leaky gut is a basic term referring to a “loose intestinal wall” which allows toxins and bacterial substances to enter the bloodstream. Intestinal permeability is associated with metabolic diseases. Click Here for further reading
The microbiota is associated with food intake, satiety and energy balance.
The Old Chicken And Egg Problem
According to Dr. Shah has already been shown that obese people have a different composition of intestinal bacteria than lean people. However, it is currently unclear whether these differences are caused by the overweight are caused or whether the altered intestinal bacteria favor the development of obesity.
according to dr Shah also exists so far no clear scientific evidence that a probiotic helps with weight loss. However, there is no evidence that taking it is harmful in any way.
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Load Up On Picked Cabbage
Like yogurt and kefir, vegetables that are fermentedespecially pickled cabbage, like sauerkraut and kimchiare reliable ways to pump up your probiotic ratio.
One caveat about pickled cabbage: Most of the products sold in U.S. stores have been through a heating process called pasteurization for safety, which can destroy both good and bad bacteria. So, if you really want to reap the fermentation benefits, look for unpasteurized products or make your own.
How To Take Probiotics For Weight Loss During Menopause
People often wonder if probiotics can help with weight loss. There are many different strains of bacteria in probiotic supplements and their effects vary from person to person. Probiotics may not be the magic pill for everyone but they do offer some benefits such as improving digestion, boosting immunity, and providing nutrients that you might not otherwise get enough of in your diet. With these potential benefits, it is worth a try for those who want to live a healthier lifestyle or lose weight.
Losing weight can be very difficult during menopause. This is due to how your bodys metabolism changes during this time. It is important that you continue to eat healthy foods and exercise regularly but you may also want to consider taking probiotics for women who are struggling with losing weight during these hormonal changes.
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Probiotics For Weight Loss
A variety of both common and uncommon probiotic bacteria can help support weight loss. The study in the Journal of Food: Microbiology, Safety and Hygiene says that bacteria from the Acetobacter, Leuconostoc, Bifidobacterium, Bacillus, Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Bifidobacterium, Lactococcus and Pediococcus families can all help promote the loss of fat.
Many of the more common and well-studied bacteria have also been associated with other benefits, like improving metabolism, reducing fat accumulation in the body and promoting feelings of satiety.
That being said, only specific probiotics might help you lose weight. The exact probiotic bacteria that works for you depends on factors like your individual needs and overall health. For example, Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens has been associated with a variety of benefits, including protection against: cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, allergies, diabetes, obesity and other weight disorders.
However, if your weight gain was related to a specific condition that has altered the bacteria colonizing your gut microbiome, you may need another type of bacteria. In this case, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus salivarius, Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium bifidum and Bifidobacterium longum might all be better suited to support your weight loss needs. These bacteria can promote the colonization of healthy, beneficial bacteria in your gastrointestinal tract.
L Rhamnosus For Weight Loss
Another type of Lactobacillus bacteria that shows promise for helping to lose weightespecially for womenis Lactobacillus rhamnosus.
In a study, female participants who consumed L. rhamnosus for 24 weeks lost more weight, and showed sustainable weight loss, than those in the placebo group. Interestingly, there was little difference in weight or body fat percentage among the men in either group. This suggests that L. rhamnosus may be especially beneficial for weight loss in women .
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Ora Organic Probiotics With Pre
Ora Organic is a wellness company that sells natural supplements with plant-based ingredients. The founders state that they only make products they would consume themselves, so they are highly dedicated to creating sustainable and healthy products.
The company sells vegan probiotics. Every capsule contains 16 billion probiotics with six different probiotic strains. They also have some high-quality pre-biotics from organic tapioca and Jerusalem artichoke.
This probiotic is formulated for people with sensitive stomachs. Therefore, it should have fewer side effects than many other probiotics on the market.
Ora Organics states that this product does not have to be refrigerated. However, it is a good idea to take it with a meal for optimal effectiveness and take both capsules at the same time every day.
How Probiotics Promote A Slim Waistline
In one study, obese people consumed a fermented milk product for twelve weeks and reduced 4.6 % abdominal fat. The surprise is the quick results just by consuming 200 grams of a fermented milk product containing a Lactobacillus strain.Effects of probiotics on body weight, body mass. Wiley Online LibraryLactobacillus alter body adiposity and gut microflora in healthy persons ScienceDirectLactobacillus rhamnosus on weight loss in obese men and women PubMed
Other studies show similar resultsconsuming probiotics for weight loss works well. But how do beneficial bacteria promote a slimmer waistline?
Gut imbalances seems to be a factor why some people dont have to eat much to gain weight, which is extremely frustrating! Probiotics bacteria are able to avoid the formation of excess fat. Probiotic bacteria are also involved with regulating appetite via hormones and proteins. In other words, probiotic bacteria can reduce the number of calories execrated from food you consume.Lactobacillus gasseri suppresses fatty acid release PubMed Beneficial metabolic effects of a probiotic PubMed Probiotics for the Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Humans PubMed
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