It’s important to recognize that weight management is more than counting calories in versus calories out. That’s one piece of the puzzle but not the whole story.
The body is complex, which means gut bacteria, hormones, and digestion also play a role in weight loss.
I’ll never forget a 2013 study I heard about that got me thinking about how gut bacteria can affect weight loss. The study was published in Science, and most of the major news outlets at the time reported on it.
In this study, researchers recruited pairs of human twins. One of the twins was lean, and the other was obese. The researchers then transferred gut bacteria from the twins into genetically identical mice. After the bacteria were transferred, the mice were raised in the same germ-free environment. They ate the same diet and in equal amounts. You’d assume that the mice would remain identical. Instead, the mice with bacteria from the obese twin grew heavier and accumulated more body fat than the mice with the bacteria from the thin twin.
While it was a small study involving mice, the implications were significant. It shed light on a frustrating reality for so many people: you could be doing everything right, exercising regularly, and still not see any progress on the scale.
Gut health can profoundly impact your ability to manage your weight. On the other hand, a healthy, balanced gut microbiome aids digestion, boosts metabolism, and supports healthy weight management.
Since that study in 2013, hundreds of probiotics have been on the market, and research has advanced significantly. There are now human studies showing how different probiotic strains support unique areas of the body.
If weight loss is your goal… look for three specific slimming strains on the bottle when you purchase a probiotic.
1. Lactobacillus Rhamnosus
This is one of the most widely studied probiotic strains. It has been shown to support healthy weight management and even decrease binge eating tendencies.
2. Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis B420.
This specific patented strain has been documented in more than 60 scientific studies, including 16 clinical trials, for its ability to help reduce abdominal fat and keep the waist trim.
3. Lactobacillus Gasseri
A review of over a dozen human randomized controlled trials concluded that L. gasseri supports healthy weight management. Other studies have shown that this strain supports fatty tissue reduction and improves metabolism.
A healthy weight is just one of the many amazing benefits of a healthy gut.
Your skin health is also influenced by your gut, thanks to something called the Gut-Skin Axis.
75% of your immune system is based in the gut.
90% of your serotonin – the feel-good hormone – is produced in the gut.
The gut and your hormones are also deeply intertwined, which is especially important for women in perimenopause and menopause.
That’s why a high-quality probiotic is something everyone should consider as part of their daily wellness routine.
And since you can’t see inside your own gut, it’s important to listen to the subtle signs your body is giving you.
Signs You Could Have Poor Gut Health:
• Weight Gain
• Bad Breath
• Skin Irregularities
• Constipation
• Gas
• Bloating
• Low Energy
• Mood Swings
• Aches and Pains
• Joint Discomfort
• Lack of Motivation
Now remember the good bacteria in your gut have a favorite food: fiber. Fiber remains intact as it moves through your digestive system. As it travels, healthy microbes in your gut feed off the fiber’s vitamins and nutrients. So when you don’t get enough fiber, your microbes starve. Some die off. Others start eating the gut’s mucus lining, which can damage the gut wall.
Here’s a friendly reminder of 4 Fiber-Rich Foods (Plus A high-fiber berry salad recipe)
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