Can Probiotics Help You Lose Weight?

How can probiotics help you lose weight? Maintaining a normal healthy weight is actually a complicated interplay of what kinds of food you consume, how much of that food is digested, exercise habits, and your personal genetic makeup. There has been tons of research on how obesity, a high percentage of abdominal fat, a low percentage of physical activity, and diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension affect overall health, particularly with diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension affecting your digestive system and your energy level. These conditions will cause your body to work overtime to process the foods that you consume and will make it more difficult for you to lose the fat that is around your midsection. This in turn can increase your stress levels and make it more difficult for you to achieve your weight loss goals.

One of the reasons that probiotics are so helpful in the fight against your health and in losing weight relates to the digestive system. The digestive system is made up of many different parts and organs, including the colon and the small intestine. One of the functions of these organs is to take in the nutrients that are required for your overall health. When the small intestine isn't functioning properly or functioning at optimal efficiency, the rest of the digestive system gets affected. Many people have digestive disorders because they lack the proper flora that provides them with the good bacteria that they need.

Probiotics are helpful because they restore the appropriate levels of "good" bacteria (gut bacteria) to the intestines. Good bacteria in the gut can also control the growth of harmful bacteria and parasites in the gut. Parasites in the gut are a common problem for those with immune suppressed diseases. While the cause of this is not well known, some evidence suggests that there may be a connection between gut bacteria and parasitic infection. A healthy balance of gut bacteria can help prevent the occurrence and worsening of these conditions.

In addition to helping to restore the appropriate levels of "good" bacteria, another benefit of probiotic supplements is the prevention of irritable bowel syndrome. It is well known that IBS affects the large intestine. Probiotic products can help to restore the appropriate functions of the large intestine. Many IBS sufferers find that when their diet is altered to exclude certain foods that aggravate IBS, relief can be experienced. This should be done with a physician's consultation first, but many find the elimination of gluten from the diet, which aggravates IBS, is enough to bring significant improvement to their IBS symptoms.

Many believe that IBS is worsened by the consumption of dairy products. Fortunately, while some dairy products can cause symptoms of IBS, they are the exception, and there are some dairy products that can actually be beneficial. One well-known brand of probiotics, called FOS, is derived from milk. FOS does not alter the bacteria found in the digestive tract, and is therefore safe for most people. Since FOS is not lactose-derived, it can be safely used in conjunction with milk in any diet, without the risk of weight gain or other side effects.

While probiotics can play a role in the prevention and treatment of IBS, many wonder how they will help them lose weight. Studies have shown that the increase in "good" bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract can reduce stress and improve your overall health. Probiotic supplements can be helpful for reducing stress and anxiety, and can also provide relief from IBS symptoms. Although this is one benefit of probiotics, other studies have shown that the increase in bacteria can also lead to an increase in fat deposits around the rectum. Since this may seem to be counter-intuitive, the studies are unclear as to whether this is due to the probiotic supplement itself or to the additional fat found in the stool.

There are other ways in which probiotics can help you lose weight. Since the increase of "friendly" bacteria can reduce stress and anxiety, this may be of benefit to people who feel as though they cannot control their cravings. Also, when you take supplements of Lactobacillus, it can help your body to produce its own digestive enzymes, allowing it to process food more effectively. In addition, the added fiber and nutrients provided by probiotics can eliminate toxins from your body and may even promote better digestion of foods.

Once you understand how diet, stress and Lactobacillus can affect your digestion, it is possible to treat your condition more effectively. While it is not likely that taking supplements will change your personal chemistry enough to reduce your weight, they can be very effective in aiding you to reach and maintain a healthy body weight. They can also help to keep your gut bacteria levels normal, so that your body can continue to function properly. For those who have recently lost or gained weight, and then find that the pounds have returned, these beneficial bacteria can help you avoid gaining it all back again. For this and many other reasons, adding probiotic products to your diet can be one of the best and most inexpensive ways that you can improve your health today.