How Well Do Probiotics Work for Weight Loss?

March 21, 2019 - weight loss

In the world of health and weight loss trends, gut health is having its moment. Gut health refers to your microbiome—the ecosystem of bacteria in your body. While some bacteria cause disease, there are many kinds that scientists know can improve your overall health. These good bacteria, most of which reside in your gut, are called probiotics.

Nothing makes the gut happier and healthier than probiotics. Many probiotic foods, supplements, and medicines are out on the market and can add more healthy bacteria and improve the health of your microbiome—which in turn has many overall health benefits for you. The health benefits of probiotics are many, including improvements to immunity, mood, digestion, and skin health. But do probiotics work for weight loss?

Do Probiotics Work for Weight Loss?

Gut health is an important factor in developing a healthy metabolism and avoiding weight gain. A healthy microbiome makes sure that all the necessary nutrients are absorbed into the body from the food we eat. While a healthy gut can improve every body system, it isn’t yet clear if probiotics are a quick path to weight loss, but there’s some science showing they might help.

There is evidence that diets high in fat and sugar promote the growth of obesity-related bacteria, while people with healthy weights and diets harbor healthier gut bacteria. A small British study found that women who supplemented a calorie-restricted diet with a probiotic lost more fat than those who followed the same diet without a probiotic. Probiotics also reduce inflammation, which can help you drop pounds when combined with healthy whole foods.

Best Sources of Probiotics

Want to add more probiotics to your diet? Here are some great food sources of probiotics:

  • Yogurt
  • Kefir
  • Sauerkraut
  • Kimchi
  • Kombucha
  • Miso
  • Pickles
  • Tempeh
  • Cheeses with live and active cultures, including Gouda, mozzarella, cheddar, and cottage cheese

Another good way to get probiotics into your diet is by taking a supplement. Probiotics are not a magic solution to losing weight, but they can be an important addition to a diet high in fiber, vegetables, and whole foods.

If you would like more information on health trends and weight loss, connect with Xyngular.