Many of us are looking for tips on losing weight and living healthier, happier lives. While there are several hack diets on the internet that promise rapid weight-loss results, we must make sure we’re losing weight in a way that's healthy and effective long-term. One of the best ways to do this is by taking a vegan probiotic supplement, which has been increasingly studied for its effectiveness in promoting a leaner physique.
Probiotics may help us lose weight by supporting gut health and balancing the gut microbiome. The gut microbiome has a close relationship with overall body weight.
So if you’ve been having a hard time losing weight, it might be time to ask yourself: am I doing everything I can to ensure a healthy gut? If the answer is no, then the main reason for your weight problem may be a lack of probiotics.
For more information on how probiotics can play a role in your weight loss journey and some insight into which probiotics are best for weight loss, keep reading - we have everything you need to know about how you can drop some pounds in a healthy, effective way.
How the gut microbiome affects body weight
To understand the role that probiotics play in maintaining a healthy weight, we need to understand the link between gut health and overall health.
The gut microbiome plays a vital role in many of our body’s functions, and if it isn’t properly balanced, we can start to experience all kinds of health issues; obesity is one of them.
But how does homeostasis within the gut affect our body weight specifically?
Multiple studies have shown evidence that there may be a relationship between people with obesity and the gut microbiome.
Research tells us that obesity and obesity-related disorders are characterized by alterations in the composition and function of the gut, which explains why maintaining a healthy gut composition is essential in preventing weight gain.
How do probiotics help with weight loss?
Probiotics have been studied to help weight loss by bringing balance to our gut flora. Because probiotics are filled with the good bacteria our gut needs to counteract harmful bacteria, we experience a healthier gut microbiome from taking them and potentially lower body weight.
But don’t just take our word for it - many studies have shown that probiotics can modulate body weight and body mass index (BMI). Those who take probiotics for more extended periods have shown a more significant weight reduction when compared with groups who ended probiotic treatment sooner.
Another study even goes so far as to say that probiotic therapy represents an exciting new frontier in treating obesity and obesity-related conditions.
Best probiotics for weight loss
We’ve learned that probiotics, in general, can help us lose weight, but did you know that not all probiotics are made the same?
Different probiotic supplements contain different strains, some of which are more beneficial in promoting weight loss than others.
One study found that two families of bacteria, firmicutes, and bacteroidetes, affect body mass index. They found that populations who were obese had higher levels of Firmicutes and lower levels in Bacteroidetes compared with lean or normal-weight individuals.
So which types of probiotics are most beneficial in maintaining a healthy balance of these two gut families?
Research tells us that the best probiotics strains to take for weight loss are members of the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genera, which include:
- Bifidobacterium lactis
- Bifidobacterium animalis
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus
- Lactobacillus gasseri
- Lactobacillus fermentum
Because we can’t always know exactly which strains are in probiotic foods, taking probiotic supplements can be an excellent way to get exactly what we need to lose weight.
Luckily, FuelOrganics offers a high-quality vegan probiotic that contains some of the best probiotic strains for weight management and digestive system support.
Final thoughts
The link between gut health and body weight is one that we shouldn’t ignore. By taking the probiotics necessary to maintain gut homeostasis, we can help ensure our overall health and potentially shed some stubborn pounds in the process.
For more information on probiotics, check out our articles like this, which discuss whether vegan probiotics help with constipation?
Trusted Sources
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- Davis C. D. (2016). The Gut Microbiome and Its Role in Obesity. Nutrition today, 51(4), 167–174. https://doi.org/10.1097/NT.0000000000000167
- Wiciński, M., Gębalski, J., Gołębiewski, J., & Malinowski, B. (2020). Probiotics for the Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Humans-A Review of Clinical Trials. Microorganisms, 8(8), 1148. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms8081148
- Mazloom, K., Siddiqi, I., & Covasa, M. (2019). Probiotics: How Effective Are They in the Fight against Obesity?. Nutrients, 11(2), 258. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11020258
- Koliada A, Syzenko G, Moseiko V, Budovska L, Puchkov K, Perederiy V, Gavalko Y, Dorofeyev A, Romanenko M, Tkach S, Sineok L, Lushchak O, Vaiserman A. Association between body mass index and Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio in an adult Ukrainian population. BMC Microbiol. 2017 May 22;17(1):120. DOI: 10.1186/s12866-017-1027-1. PMID: 28532414; PMCID: PMC5440985.
- Álvarez-Arraño, V., & Martín-Peláez, S. (2021). Effects of Probiotics and Synbiotics on Weight Loss in Subjects with Overweight or Obesity: A Systematic Review. Nutrients, 13(10), 3627. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13103627