Probiotics and the issue of belly fat & weight
Probiotics May Be One Part of The Puzzle
Probiotics offer a wide range of health benefits. However, their effects on weight are mixed, and seem to depend on the type of probiotic. Evidence indicates that Lactobacillus gasseri may help people with obesity lose weight and belly fat.
This is where probiotics come in. Probiotics are live microorganisms that may be able to help prevent and treat some illnesses. Promoting a healthy digestive tract and a healthy immune system are their most widely studied benefits at this time. These are also commonly known as friendly, good, or healthy bacteria.
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 butyrat .
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.
Both human and animal studies have found that normal-weight people have different gut bacteria than overweight or obese people.
In those studies, people with obesity had more firmicutes and fewer bacteroidetes, compared to normal-weight people. There are also some animal studies showing that when the gut bacteria from obese mice are transplanted into guts of lean mice, the lean mice get fat .
They also help break down fiber that the body can't digest, turning it into beneficial short-chain fatty acids like butyrat .
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.
Both human and animal studies have found that normal-weight people have different gut bacteria than overweight or obese people.
In those studies, people with obesity had more firmicutes and fewer bacteroidetes, compared to normal-weight people. There are also some animal studies showing that when the gut bacteria from obese mice are transplanted into guts of lean mice, the lean mice get fat .
All of these studies suggest that gut bacteria may play a powerful role in weight regulation.
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.
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.
