Many of us will be familiar with probiotics from food and drink advertising, and understand that they play an important role in keeping our guts healthy. But what exactly are probiotics, and can they help you lose weight? Our experts explain it all.
Probiotics are live microorganisms which include live bacteria and yeasts. They are often described as good or friendly bacteria because of their multiple health benefits. The body naturally has good bacteria (probiotics) living inside it, mostly in the colon and large intestine – an ecosystem called the microbiome. [1] Probiotics are commonly added to foods like yoghurt and taken as dietary supplements to potentially help maintain or restore the balance of the gut microbiota. [2]
The gut – or gastrointestinal (GI) system – includes your stomach, intestines and colon. It is the part of the body responsible for digesting and absorbing food and drink, as well as creating and removing its waste. Most of the bacteria in our bodies (over 500 species) are in the colon and large intestine. [1] The unique combination of bacteria or microbes in our body make up the gut microbiome.
It is important that our gut microbiome functions properly – maintaining the balance between “good” bacteria and “bad” bacteria. This is because our gut microbiome plays a role in important bodily processes and functions like digestion, vitamin and short-chain fatty acid production and normal immune system development. [3]
As previously mentioned, the gut is where our body breaks down our food and absorbs the nutrients our body needs from it. If your gut microbiome is imbalanced, it won’t be able to do this as efficiently. [4] It also won’t be able to contribute to the production of B vitamins, vitamin K and folate created in the gut. [5]
An important benefit of probiotics is that they help promote the balance of healthy bacteria in the gut, which can improve digestion and nutrient absorption. This can be particularly significant when taking GLP-1 medications or switching to a calorie deficit diet.
Up to 80% of our body’s immune cells live in the gut. These cells help to remove all the disease-causing bacteria or pathogens that pass through it daily, making a healthy gut microbiome critical for shaping our immune systems.
Another way good bacteria improve our body’s natural defences is by producing short-chain fatty acids. These compounds help maintain your gut barrier which prevents the bacteria and bacterial toxins inside from escaping into the bloodstream. [1]
Studies have shown that probiotics can be useful in treating multiple gastrointestinal disorders including diarrhoea. [2] A well-researched probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) is one of the most effective ones studied to help reduce the duration of both antibiotic and infectious diarrhoea types by one day. [5] However, the effects of combining probiotics with GLP-1 treatments like Mounjaro or Wegovy haven't been widely studied and individuals may respond differently.
Some believe that probiotics have a positive influence on the body's metabolism too, however more robust clinical trials and scientific evidence are required to confirm this. [3]
Many fermented foods like plain yoghurt, kefir, miso and tempeh have active microbes genetically similar to the ones we see in probiotic supplements. [6] It is worth noting that not all yoghurts are created equal. For a food to be considered a probiotic, it has to contain a certain number of microorganisms that have been proven in human trials to deliver health benefits. Only yoghurts or other foods fortified with an adequate level of these good bacteria can be classified as probiotic foods. [5] Remember, it's important to eat a balanced, healthy diet to maintain a healthy gut microbiome.
Though their aforementioned health benefits are numerous, probiotic supplements are generally classified as food rather than medicine. So it is important to get your supplements from a trusted specialist. Another thing to look out for is that it definitely contains live and active cultures – these are the probiotics that will actually impact your gut health. Our own daily Probiotic tablets contain 19 billion different live cultures including inulin to help combat the side effects of weight loss medication and to support weight loss maintenance long term. You can find more information on fibre supplements here.
Interested in starting your own weight loss journey with Levity? Visit our website here to find the right treatment for you.
1. Cleveland Clinic. What Is Your Gut Microbiome? [Internet]. Cleveland Clinic. 2023. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/25201-gut-microbiome
2. NHS. Probiotics [Internet]. NHS. 2019. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/probiotics/
3. Torres B, Sánchez MC, Virto L, Arancha Llama‐Palacios, Ciudad MJ, Collado L. Use of probiotics in preventing and treating excess weight and obesity. A systematic review. Obesity Science & Practice [Internet]. 2024 Jun 1;10(3). Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11187407/#:~:text=The%20review%20showed%20that%2C%20although
4. Clinic C. Could Probiotics Help With Weight Loss? [Internet]. Cleveland Clinic. 2020. Available from: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/could-probiotics-help-with-weight-loss
5. Ciorba MA. A Gastroenterologist’s Guide to Probiotics. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology [Internet]. 2012 Sep;10(9):960–8. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3424311/
6. Latif A, Aamir Shehzad, Niazi S, Zahid A, Ashraf W, Muhammad Waheed Iqbal, et al. Probiotics: Mechanism of action, Health Benefits and Their Application in Food Industries. Frontiers in Microbiology. 2023 Aug 17;14(14).
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