It’s no secret that probiotics play an essential role in maintaining optimum gut health, but they’re often associated with maintaining a healthy weight, too. The question is, can probiotics help with weight loss? And can probiotics support healthy weight management? And the answer to this is ‘yes.’
The research into the connection between healthy weight management and probiotics is ongoing, but, while evidence isn’t completely definitive at this point, the link between probiotics and weight management is becoming clearer.
Here’s what we know so far:
Probiotics and healthy weight management
1. Our gut microbiota and weight are intrinsically linked
Looking after our gut is essential if we want to achieve optimum health, and our gut microbiota plays a key role in the function of our metabolism, as well as our fat storage and energy balance. When our gut microbiome is disrupted or unbalanced, the likelihood of developing concerning health complications such as obesity and metabolic disorders is increased.
2. What the research is exploring
Researchers are exploring several ways the gut microbiome may relate to weight, including:
- Gut barrier function, which researchers are studying in relation to overall metabolic health
- Possible links between gut bacteria and appetite-related hormones
- How gut bacteria interact with the digestion of dietary fats
3. The finer details and considerations
- Research in this area is still emerging, and any effects appear to vary depending on the strain. Probiotics are not a weight-loss product
- It’s important to remember that a healthy weight depends mainly on lifestyle. In essence, consuming probiotics won’t make an enormous difference to our weight if we aren’t considering the fundamentals: engaging in frequent exercise and committing to a healthy, well-balanced diet
- The long-term health benefits of probiotics and the link between probiotics and weight management are still ongoing, and there is still plenty more research to be done
The key takeaway…
Probiotics are a beneficial addition to our diet and lifestyles, but they are not a substitute for a balanced diet, regular activity and advice from your doctor. Maintaining a healthy weight requires a great deal of commitment and there are various different lifestyle factors involved. Before considering probiotics, we must look at the fundamentals; eating a well-balanced diet and engaging in regular exercise. Once we have made the necessary lifestyle changes, we can look to incorporate probiotics.
