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How Probiotics Can Help You Lose Weight and Belly Fat
Probiotics are live microorganisms that have health benefits when eaten .
They are found in both supplements and fermented foods.
Probiotics may improve digestive health, heart health and immune function, to name a few
.
Several studies also suggest that probiotics can help you lose weight and belly fat.
Gut Bacteria May Affect Body Weight Regulation
There are hundreds of different microorganisms in your digestive system.
The majority of these are bacteria, most of which are friendly.
Friendly bacteria produce several important nutrients, including vitamin K and certain
B-vitamins.
They also help break down fiber that the body can�t digest, turning it into beneficial
short-chain fatty acids like butyrate .
There are two main families of good bacteria in the gut: bacteroidetes and firmicutes.
Body weight seems be related to the balance of these two families of bacteria .
How Can Probiotics Affect Changes in Weight?
It is thought that certain probiotics may inhibit the absorption of dietary fat, increasing
the amount of fat excreted with feces.
In other words, they make you �harvest� fewer calories from the foods in your diet.
Certain bacteria, such as those from the Lactobacillus family, have been found to function in this
way . Probiotics May Help You Lose Weight and Belly
Fat Studies have found that certain strains of
the Lactobacillus family can help you lose weight and belly fat.
In one study, eating yogurt with Lactobacillus fermentum or Lactobacillus amylovorus reduced
body fat by 3�4% over a 6-week period . Another study of 125 overweight dieters investigated
the effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus supplements on weight loss and weight maintenance .
During a 3-month study period, the women taking the probiotics lost 50% more weight compared
to the group taking a dummy pill (placebo).
They also continued to lose weight during the weight maintenance phase of the study.
Lactobacillus Gasseri
Of all the probiotic bacteria studied to date, Lactobacillus gasseri shows the most promising
effects on weight loss.
Numerous studies in rodents have found that it has anti-obesity effects .
Additionally, studies in Japanese adults have shown impressive results .
One study followed 210 people with a lot of belly fat.
It found that taking Lactobacillus gasseri for 12 weeks reduced body weight, fat around
organs, BMI, waist size and hip circumference.
What�s more, belly fat was reduced by 8.5%.
However, when participants stopped taking the probiotic, they gained back all of the
belly fat within a month .
Some Probiotics May Prevent Weight Gain
Losing weight is not the only way to fight obesity.
Prevention is even more important, as in preventing the weight from accumulating in the first
place.
This indicates that some probiotic strains might be effective at preventing weight gain
in the context of a high-calorie diet.
However, this needs to be studied a lot more.
Some Probiotic Strains May Increase the Risk of Weight Gain and Obesity
Not all studies have found that probiotics help with weight loss.
Some studies have even found that certain probiotic strains might lead to weight gain,
not loss.
This includes Lactobacillus acidophilus.
One recent study reviewed 4 controlled clinical trials.
It concluded that probiotics did not reduce body weight, BMI or body fat levels in overweight
or obese adults.
However, this review study did not include many of the studies mentioned above.