Probiotics is one of the most popular nutrition supplements to arrive in the wellness market as numerous studies have proven their health-giving benefits. Fortification of immune functions and systems as well as improved gut health are some of the most significant health benefits acquired from probiotics. Lately, some studies indicate that probiotics contributes to weight loss as they found out that there is a relationship between body weight and gut microbiomes.
Probiotics as defined by the Frontiers in Microbiology Journal, refers to live microorganisms, which when apportioned correctly, works toward creating healthy benefits for the host.
Gut microbiomes on the other hand refer to the whole habitat of the gut, which includes microorganisms such as bacteria, genomes and the environment in which they exist amd subsist. Experts have established that within a person’s gut environment, there are more than a thousand types of bacteria living in intestines. Some of the most widely studied are strains known as Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Verrucomicrobia, Fusobacteria, Cyanobacteria, and Proteobacteria.
New Studies Indicate Links Between Probiotics and Body Weight
A recent report published in 2020 suggested that probiotics can be used as a treatment for obesity and overweight. However, studies also found out that those who are overweight and obese have disparate bacteria composition when compared to those who are not. Researches revealed that Firmicutes are more dominant in the gut environment obese individuals than the Bacteroidetes.
Although researches regarding this matter is still in progress as there are now probiotic weigh loss supplements available in the health and wellness market. Apparently, some researchers have already discovered how altering one’s gut bacteria through probiotics can address obesity.
Ally’s floraspring review for one discusses how the FDA-approved Flora Spring probiotic formula helps users lose extra weight effectively and effortlessly. According to the review, the formula has five strains that all work toward treating obesity from the root cause.
The Flora Spring approach is described as multi-dimensional, as one strain focuses on appetite suppression, while another strain works on eliminating body fat. Other strain take on the regular function of take care of gut health and functions of the digestive system to indirect;y help achieve weight loss.
Related Researches on Probiotics that Support Their Efficacy as Weight Loss Agents
In 2018, 821 participants took part in a meta-analysis and a systematic review by way of 12 randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Participants who were given probiotic supplementation lost a significant amount of body fat, BMI, body weight, and waist circumference, when compared to the control groups who did not receive probiotics. Those who were given multiple strains in higher doses lost greater amounts of body fat when compared to those who received a single strain probiotic.
In the following year (2019), 6,826 participants took part in 105 controlled trials that involved meta-analysis and a systematic review of how probiotic used as weight loss treatment can help reduce BMI, body fat, and waist circumference. In this latest review, the improvements were attributed to the inclusion of the lactobacilli, bifidobacteria and Streptococcus salivarius thermophilus strains.
Other studies on the other hand, propose that probiotic treatments assist in protecting individuals against weight gain. In general, the findings of such researchers concluded that probiotics induce weight loss through the following gut microbe activities:
1. Increasing production of bacteria, which creates short-chain fatty acid. The latter in turn reduces fat storage and increases fatty acid oxidation;
2. Lessening fat accumulation;
3. Enhancing insulin sensitivity;
4. Controlling pro-inflammatory genes;
5. Decreasing the producers of lipopolysaccharide that reduces inflammation and;
6. Promoting metabolism and at the same time suppressing appetite.