Can I Take Probiotics For Weight Loss
The short answer? Yes, you can.
Some studies have found that certain probiotics can inhibit the amount of fat and calories that your body absorbs and retains. Probiotics containing the strain Lactobacillus are likely the most beneficial for weight loss.
Some evidence points to the possibility that obesity is directly linked to inflammation in the brain, and by improving your gut healthby way of probioticsyou may effectively reduce the amount of inflammation as well.
We have also seen that probiotics may promote weight loss by releasing a hormone called GLP-1, which helps to reduce appetite and can help you burn calories and fat . Probiotics may also enhance weight loss by increasing the amount of protein ANGPTL4 .
In contrast to probiotics that can actually aid in weight loss, there have been studies that show some probiotics simply help in the prevention of weight gain, which certainly has benefits of its own .
Benefits Of Taking Probiotics
Not all probiotics are the same. Different strains of the bacteria have different effects. For example, one strain may fight against cavity-causing organisms in our mouths and don’t need to survive a trip through our guts.
Research has been promising for these friendly critters. Potential benefits of probiotics have been seen in the treatment or prevention of
- H. pylori
- vaginal infections
- infection of the digestive tract caused by
- pouchitis
- eczema in children.
Probiotics For Gut Health
The main reason that people use probiotic supplements is because of the potential benefits they can have on your gut. In fact, lots of people use probiotics for gut health because they can balance the bacteria in your digestive system.
Living in your gut is a complex community of microorganisms, known as the gut microbiome or gut flora. These microorganisms are responsible for various health functions, such as helping your body digest food, producing important fatty acids for the gut, and helping to feed and strengthen your gut wall.
Most of these bacteria are good, but some of the bacteria can have a negative impact on your health if there is overgrowth, causing an imbalance of the gut microbiome. This may cause digestive problems and diarrhoea. It can also lead to illness and infections.
Taking probiotics which are good bacteria can help the balance of bacteria in your gut and allows the good bacteria in your gut to carry on with their important work.
If you want to find out more about probiotics, visit our probiotics guide or visit our SUSTAGEN Optimum product page.
SUSTAGEN OPTIMUM is a Food for Special Medical Purpose, specially formulated for medical conditions where nutritional needs cannot be met through diet modification alone. Must be used under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
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Probiotics May Improve Digestive Health
Using probiotics may help reduce diarrhea caused by things like antibiotic use, cancer therapy, and hospital infections. Bacteria strains of Streptococcus and Lactobacillus can help, but doctors also use yeast strains, such as various Saccharomyces boulardii, to help prevent diarrhea, according to a paper published in March 2016 in the International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences.
If dairy gives you bad gas, you may have lactose intolerance, which is caused by a deficiency in the enzyme lactase. The good news is that probiotics seem to help with lactose digestion. Studies show that the probiotic used to make yogurt release lactase, which takes over the bodys usual responsibility of digesting lactose.
If your gassiness isnt due to lactose intolerance or associated with recurrent diarrhea from any of the aforementioned reasons, you may have a condition called irritable bowel syndrome . IBS is a default diagnosis that is used for unexplained digestive symptoms, such as gas, bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation. Some studies suggest probiotics can help relieve symptoms of IBS.
Probiotics May Reduce The Severity Of Certain Allergies And Eczema
Certain probiotic strains may reduce the severity of eczema in children and infants.
One study found eczema symptoms improved for infants fed probiotic-supplemented milk, compared to infants fed milk without probiotics .
Another study followed children of women who took probiotics during pregnancy. Those children had an 83% lower risk of developing eczema in the first two years of life .
However, the link between probiotics and reduced eczema severity is still weak and more research needs to be done .
Some probiotics may also reduce inflammatory responses in people with milk or dairy allergies. However, the evidence is weak and further studies are needed .
Bottom Line:
Probiotics may reduce the risk and severity of certain allergies, such as eczema in infants. However, more research is needed.
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Are There Any Storage Instructions For Probiotics
Several probiotic strains are very fragile and need to be protected from heat, oxygen, light and humidity. The probiotics might start to break down or die if they are exposed to these elements. Because of this, you may need to refrigerate your probiotics or store it in a particular place. Refrigerating certain probiotic strains ensures that theyre still viable when you go to use them and will still provide the full benefit of the probiotic. Always read the labels on any probiotic product you purchase to make sure you store it correctly and use it within the expiration date.
Choosing The Right Probiotic Supplement
Probiotics can help with a wide range of health conditions, starting from stress-related digestive issues and spanning all the way to anxiety. When choosing a probiotic supplement, first look for the right bacteria strains and formulation to address your health concern. In addition, also make sure the product you choose is backed by research and testing.
For example, Omni-Biotic Balance can help support the immune system, and Omni-Biotic Stress Release promotes the gut-brain. Both probiotics are targeted formulations based on over 25 years of gut microbiome research and 100+ clinical studies.
Keep in mind that some probiotic strains are studied more than others, and your doctor or dietitian can help you determine which may work best for you.
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The 411 On Probiotic Supplements And How To Choose A Quality Product
It can be overwhelming when seeing the slew of probiotic supplements that are out on the market. Some things to consider when choosing one that is right for you:
Be choosy. In particular, work with your healthcare team to identify and buy the probiotic that best address your health concern. For instance, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG can help with diarrhea, while a combination of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus would be helpful for IBS.
Read the label. Make sure any probiotic you choose is free of any ingredients you do not want, such as food allergens. Your healthcare team can help you translate any terms you dont understand.
You Might Have More Energy
Not only might your mood get a lift from taking probiotics, but Dr. Axe notes that you may also find you have increased energy and less fatigue.
“Probiotics play a role in neurotransmitter production, including serotonin, which has mood-boosting and calming/sleep-promoting effects,” he explains. “Some also contribute to cognitive health by helping to facilitate a healthy inflammation response and supporting nutrient absorption, which helps fuel normal brain activity.”
Research has revealed that chronic fatigue syndrome is linked to an imbalance in the microbiomewhich can cause “leaky gut syndrome.” Basically, this means that bacteria enter the blood, triggering an immune response. Fortunately, research has also proven that taking probiotics may be useful for restoring balance to the microbiome and thus, alleviating fatigue and other symptoms.
You can also get a good amount of probiotics in your diet when you incorporate these 14 Probiotic Foods for a Healthy Gut into your meals!
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Treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Current data shows that probiotics can benefit people with irritable bowel syndrome, but according to the NIH, the data stops short of recommending particular strains of bacteria to treat the condition. More clinical trials are needed to nail things down, so in the meantime, consider talking with a healthcare provider about their recommendations.
Why You Should Try Probiotics
âGive it a try and see how you feel, because I think once you start taking a probiotic, youâre not going to want to stop.â – Catherine, an Align user
âBecause of Align, I can go anywhere and do whatever I want, without having to worry in the back of mind that Iâm going to have an issue later on.â â Cody, an Align user
âI keep reading more and more about the microbiome, so to me itâs worth it to take a product like Align, because I think I’m doing something good for my gut.â â Julie, an Align user
âItâs emotional to explain because I want to push this out there on people who might be scared to speak up. Whatever you have to do throughout your day to get through, and you have any restrictions holding you back, donât pretend itâs not there.â â Nick, an Align user
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Probiotics Are Associated With Improved Oral Health
Probiotics benefit the digestive tract from the beginning to end. It all begins in your mouth, where harmful bacteria, also known as plaque, may be decreased by yes, you guessed it probiotics. In a randomized controlled trial published in January 2013 in the journal Dentistry & Medical Research, researchers divided 90 children ages 13 to 15 into three groups: one that received a mouth disinfectant, one that received a probiotic mouth rinse, and one that received a placebo. The probiotic consisted of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium longum, and Saccharomyces boulardii. After two months, the group that received the probiotic had the greatest reductions in plaque volume and gingivitis risk.
Probiotics may also help prevent cavities, as a buildup of acid from bacteria like streptococci on the surface of the tooth causes them. Probiotics help protect the teeth by lowering their pH, according to a paper published in 2015 in the Finnish journal Annales Universitatis Turkuensis. A lower pH is protective, while a higher pH, meaning an acidic environment, is one in which cavities are more likely to form.
What Do Probiotics Do Exactly
Theres still a lot that scientists dont understand about probiotics, but studies so far have identified a few functional uses of probiotics, including:
- Promoting the health and maintenance of our digestive tracts cell lining
- Supporting immunity
- Managing inflammation
With these findings, researchers are beginning to conduct more expansive studies on the microbiome. They suspect that if probiotics play definitive roles in these body functions, they may also play a role in diseases and conditions that affect digestive health, immunity, and systemic inflammation.
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Prebiotics And Probiotics: Creating A Healthier You
You’ve probably heard of prebiotics and probiotics, but do you know what they are? Probiotics are live microorganisms that provide health benefits when you consume them in the right amounts.
Although probiotics are available as dietary supplements, some may be found through fermented foods, too.
Research continues in this area of nutrition investigating which strains of probiotics are present in specific foods and which ones provide health benefits. While this is still an area of study, there are a few key points that are worth keeping in mind.
What Are Prebiotics and What Do They Do?
Prebiotics are naturally occurring, non-digestible food components that are linked to promoting the growth of helpful bacteria in your gut. Simply said, they’re “good” bacteria promoters. Prebiotics may improve gastrointestinal health as well as potentially enhance calcium absorption.
Prebiotics in Your Diet
Prebiotics include fructooligosaccharides, such as inulin and galactooligosaccharides. But rather than focusing on these lengthy words, include more prebiotics in your day by eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains such as bananas, onions, garlic, leeks, asparagus, artichokes, beans and whole-grain foods.
What Are Probiotics and What Do They Do?
Probiotics in Your Diet
What Makes Prebiotics and Probiotics the “Dynamic Duo?”
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Do Probiotics Help With Digestion
Research shows that probiotics work within the intestinal tract by developing more complicated biomes of microbiota in your gut.
Generally, this makes a lot of your digestive and other bodily functions healthier, leading to beneficial effects on both short-term and chronic conditions. That includes varying forms of diarrhea, certain bowel diseases like irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease, high cholesterol issues and conditions related to your digestive health, like obesity.
Where we get into murkier waters is how and when these living medications can be effective. Its not enough to say probiotics treat IBS, because people need to know how, and with what dosage, and with what probiotics in particular, and that information is far from well-defined.
Dont get us wrong meta-analysis is starting to pencil in the details. Some have found pretty good evidence that probiotics can benefit people with conditions like IBS, even if the benefits are modest in scope. Theres also evidence that some bacterial strains can affect specific symptoms.
Its enough data for a rudimentary if incomplete road map for dealing with symptoms. Lets take a closer look.
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Should I Give Probiotics To My Kids
Probiotics can be beneficial for both adults and kids. If your child has an illness that requires an antibiotic medication for treatment, taking a probiotic can help shorten symptoms. Probiotics can also be used to help relieve constipation, acid reflux, diarrhea, gas and eczema in children.
Introducing probiotics into your childs diet through food is typically a safe way to give them probiotics. Foods like yogurt and cottage cheese are often part of a balanced diet and can add in good bacteria without much risk.
There are commercially available probiotic supplements specifically designed for infants and children. However, it is important to talk to your childs pediatrician before giving them any probiotic supplement or changing the childs diet to include probiotic-rich foods.
This Week’s Topic: Do Probiotics Really Work
Happy Monday, dear readers! Let’s talk about your health, because if you don’t have your health, you don’t have anything. Much is not yet understood about digestion or what is otherwise known as the gut microbiome. What is clear is that you’ll need to keep it in good working order for proper health, and it’s important to have a good balance of probiotics in your diet. You may see more and more about probiotics out in the marketplace, be it in supplements, yogurt, or other products. Now is the time to get informed – learn more about the role of probiotics in your diet and how they can promote better gut health in the in the following infographic below, courtesy of Nouri:
Infographic courtesy of Nouri
Enjoyed this newsletter? Look for this on LinkedIn and your inbox every Monday.
Have a suggestion or tip you’d like to see visualized? Comment below or DM me on .
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Promotes Healthy Yeast Balance To Prevent Yeast Infections
Probiotics are very helpful in curing yeast infections. The Lactobacillus bacteria species in particular have been shown to restore the yeast balance in the body in clinical settings. A recent Italian study showed that women who suffer from chronic yeast infections who insert a probiotic tablet into the vagina saw their frequency of yeast infections decrease by 87%.
Health Benefits Of Probiotics
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Probiotics are live microorganisms that can be consumed through fermented foods or supplements .
More and more studies show that the balance or imbalance of bacteria in your digestive system is linked to overall health and disease.
Probiotics promote a healthy balance of gut bacteria and have been linked to a wide range of health benefits.
These include benefits for weight loss, digestive health, immune function and more (
This is an overview of the key health benefits linked to probiotics.
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Spend Less Time Worrying
Less time worrying means more time to do what you want to do. Probiotics disperse lots of good bacteria to your gut, helping maintain the balance of good and bad bacteria and supporting overall gut health.* With less stress related to your gut health, you can take on the day and whatever it holds.
Align user Glenda has a high-energy lifestyle keeping up with her work and her grandson. She started taking Align, and now has the peace of mind to worry less when she is out playing with him or working on the weekends. Glenda said, âHaving your gut healthy is so important to the health of your body. I really believe in probiotics, and I have been a believer for a long time.â
Turn To Trusted Peers And Experts
If you struggle with occasional digestive issues, take the next step and talk to your healthcare provider. These experts know how to help you solve your digestive issues, and they may suggest a change in diet or the addition of a probiotic supplement to help you on your way to optimal health.
Even better, they can help by determining if there is anything serious to address. If not they can guide you on the journey as you make changes to optimize your gut health.
Cody, who uses Align probiotics, said, âIf someone else is out there struggling with digestive issues, first I would find someone they can trust to talk to. It could be a friend, a partner, a family member. If thatâs not an option, or you donât feel comfortable doing that, I think itâs totally within reason to go to a medical professional and talk to them about these kinds of things.â
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