You may have seen commercials featuring a slim, attractive woman enjoying yogurt. But what makes yogurt beneficial, and how does it relate to weight loss? The answer lies in probiotics. These nutrients are crucial for your weight loss journey and are often overlooked by health and fitness experts.
So, what exactly are probiotics? In a recent study, women who took probiotics lost 50% more weight than those who didn’t. Your gut health and nutrient absorption are important, so don’t skip your daily probiotic.
Probiotics refer to the beneficial microbes, or good bacteria, that reside in your gut, helping your digestion function properly. A healthy digestive system offers numerous benefits, including improved mental health. It’s essential to maintain a proper balance of good and bad bacteria, and probiotics can assist with this. If you’ve taken antibiotics, your levels of good bacteria may have significantly decreased.
Antibiotics can eliminate both harmful and beneficial bacteria, which is why many doctors suggest taking a probiotic supplement or consuming yogurt during or after antibiotic treatment to restore the balance of good bacteria. If you prefer not to take pills, you can also obtain probiotics from fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, and miso. However, if you feel your gut needs significant support, a high-quality supplement may be beneficial, as it typically contains more probiotics than most fermented foods and can help restore balance more quickly.
There are many different strains of bacteria in various probiotic supplements. According to Dr. Perlmutter, only a few are particularly beneficial for most people. He, along with many others, recommends strains from the Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium families. These can be found in abundance in yogurt, kefir, and naturally fermented sauerkraut, among others. It’s wise to consume a variety of fermented foods to ensure you’re getting all the necessary strains. If yogurt isn’t your thing, consider adding a separate supplement.
Interestingly, it’s not enough to just consume good bacteria; you also need to feed them. While eating yogurt is great, you must create the right environment for probiotics to thrive. Probiotics require nourishment, which is where prebiotics come into play. Prebiotics are non-digestible fibers found in foods like bananas, garlic, jicama, and onions. Although your body may not digest this fiber, the bacteria in your gut can break it down and use the nutrients to flourish.
To support your gut health, make sure to eat a variety of fresh fruits and crunchy vegetables. If you’re not getting enough, consider adding a quality prebiotic supplement from a trusted source. The weight loss benefits of probiotics extend beyond physical health; they also positively impact your mental well-being. When you feel calm and happy, it’s easier to stick to your diet.
Weight loss isn’t just about controlling your food intake; it’s also about maintaining a stable mental outlook. The balance of your gut flora directly influences your mental health, which in turn affects your weight loss efforts. It’s crucial to keep your body functioning smoothly, not just focus on losing pounds. If you’re feeling unwell, you may be less inclined to eat healthy foods, often turning to less nutritious options when you’re sick. Probiotics and prebiotics can help balance your gut flora, creating a healthy intestinal environment that supports your diet.
A significant advantage of having probiotics in your gut is that they help you absorb all the nutrients from your food. As these friendly bacteria feed on prebiotics, they convert nutrients into more bioavailable forms. Not getting enough nutrients can be an issue when dieting, as you’re already consuming less food. Therefore, being able to absorb a higher proportion of what you eat is beneficial.
Probiotics have also been linked to reduced hunger signals and fat storage. While they aren’t a miracle solution, they can significantly impact your weight loss goals. If you’re not keen on apple cider vinegar or other fermented foods, consider incorporating a probiotic supplement into your routine.
When shopping for probiotics, not all products are created equal. Look for those containing acidophilus and bifidum bacteria. The quantity of bacterial strains is just as important as the variety; aim for at least 50 billion CFUs (colony-forming units). If you’ve recently taken antibiotics, temporarily taking up to 10 billion CFUs can be helpful, but avoid overdoing it, as this can lead to bloating and gas.
While you don’t need to buy only refrigerated probiotics, ensure the packaging is well-sealed and dark (opaque, not transparent) to protect against light damage. At Avocadu, we offer our own brand of probiotics called Gut-13. Our specially formulated supplement is designed to support not just gut health but overall well-being.
Probiotics are one of the best ways to heal your gut, accelerate weight loss, and provide a daily source of healthy gut flora. You can eat all the right foods, but if your body isn’t processing them effectively, you may not see the results you want. Healing your gut is the quickest way to turn this around!
Feel free to leave a comment below if you enjoyed this article on how probiotics and prebiotics can help you lose weight naturally or if you have any questions!
