Know how to use probiotics for weight loss
Probiotics have become the natural choice for many people to improve the health of their gut. From fewer stomach issues to a reduction in the likelihood of developing problematic conditions, probiotics offer a myriad of benefits. There is one aspect of your health that probiotics can help that is not as often discussed: losing weight and belly fat.
Probiotics are natural, live microorganisms that can be found within the body. The substances encourage the growth of healthy bacteria that aid in providing proper balance to the intestinal system. A balance of good bacteria contributes to fighting health concerns — irritable bowel syndrome, allergic skin diseases, the common cold, etc. — and making it easier to regulate weight.
Do probiotics help with weight loss?
Because most research on probiotics has revolved around its benefits for immune and digestive health, information on weight loss is somewhat more limited. Despite this, there have been promising studies that have come out in recent years that point to a connection between probiotics use and weight loss.
In 2013, the British Journal of Nutrition studied the impact that the probiotic strain Lactobacillus Rhamnosus had in this regard. 125 men and women were put on a 12 week weight loss program, half of them receiving probiotics while the other half were given a placebo. The results of the trial found that the participants who took the probiotics lost more weight than the control group and continued to lose weight even after the program had concluded.
Aside from directly causing weight loss, probiotics also help by promoting the overall health of the body. Bacteria within the gut is responsible for absorbing the nutrients that come from the food we eat. Probiotics can strengthen the functionality of this positive bacteria, and thus enhance the nutritional value that you receive from your everyday diet.
Prevent weight gain
Another major potential benefit of probiotics is that it could actually prevent weight gain. While reducing belly fat and weight loss is certainly possible, it can be a quite difficult process to undergo and stick with over time. This is why it is often much more effective to be proactive and include things within your lifestyle that can actually prevent weight or fat gain. Fortunately, some strains of probiotics can achieve just this.
A 4-week study done on people who used probiotics found that when given an extra 1,000 calories over their necessary daily intake, they experienced a reduced amount of weight gain when compared with people who were not taking probiotics. Studies such as this indicate that probiotics could be used to limit fat or weight gain in the context of a high calorie diet.
Other health benefits of probiotics
Weight loss is often a top priority for many people, especially those who experience obesity, however, it is important to look for ways to improve your health as a whole beyond just looking at the number on a scale. Probiotics can contribute to this due to the ways in which they enhance the overall health of the body and allow it to function at its fullest potential. From immune support to allergy control, here are a few more ways beyond weight loss that probiotics promote good health:
Enhance heart health: Probiotics enhance the health of your heart due to their ability to reduce blood pressure and bad cholesterol within the body. Some strains that produce lactic acid (an example being lactobacillus) break down bile in the gut, improving digestion and reducing the amount of cholesterol.
Reduce allergy/eczema severity: It has been shown that certain strains of probiotics can alleviate the severity of allergies and eczema, especially in children and infants. In fact, a study examining the children of women who took probiotics while they were pregnant showed that they had an 83% lower chance of developing eczema within their first two years of life. Additionally, probiotics can potentially reduce the inflammatory reactions of people who are allergic to milk and other dairy products.
Boost immune system: Probiotics can support the health of your immune system by protecting against harmful bacteria that commonly makes its way into the gut. This includes fighting against conditions such as urinary tract infections and respiratory infections.
Improve digestive health: Your digestive system is the core of many critical processes within the body. Probiotics keep harmony between the trillions of bacterial cells within the gut to protect against problems like obesity, mental health disorders, and more.