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Health and well
being are big business these days, and with the problem of obesity exerting increasing pressure on
us as a society to change our lifestyles, it’s no wonder that more and more people are turning to
natural ways to look after themselves.
Cue probiotics.
Unless you have been studiously ignoring popular ad campaigns recently, you are bound to have come
across these so- called ‘friendly bacteria’ on TV and in magazines, usually accompanied by slim,
smiling and perennially happy young women whose lives have changed since they started drinking
these probiotic drinks and eating the probiotic yogurts regularly. So how much of this is genuine
in terms of the health benefits they offer and how much of it is marketing hype, taking advantage
of the zeitgeist of a very real need to alter our lifestyles?
Probiotics are affectionately referred to as "Friendly
Bacteria"
Probiotics, or ‘friendly bacteria’ as they are
now affectionately known are just that. And new research shows that they could just be your best
friend in helping to lose weight. They are micro-organisms indigenous to the intestinal tracts of
humans and animals, living in symbiosis with our bodies. These benevolent bacteria make up the
majority of the microflora in our intestines, playing a vital role in maintaining digestive health.
For the most part, unhealthy gut flora is caused by antibiotics and frequent colonics- a practice
which is becoming increasingly popular. In addition, a diet of processed and junk foods and the
habit of eating ‘on the go’ also upsets intestinal homeostasis. This can result in yeast
infections, Candida, constipation, bloating and weight gain. Probiotics help to balance our
intestinal environment and boost the immune system. They also help to us to lose
weight.
Medical researchers at Stanford University
administered probiotic supplements to individuals who had undergone gastric band surgery. The
surgery had caused an overgrowth of (unwanted) bacteria in the GI tract. The probiotics had an
additional unexpected positive effect whereby the patients shed more weight. According to a leading
researcher, the amount of calories ingested by our guts depends on the strain of bacteria living in
it. If the type of bacteria is altered, this can affect how many calories are retained by our
bodies. Although this is a gradual process, given time, the effects can be
significant.
In order to successfully lose weight, it is
essential that our digestive processes are working well. This is the first step where probiotics
can help, by balancing our intestinal environment to create optimum conditions for healthy weight
loss to take place. An important aspect of weight gain is the overeating of yeast in our bodies.
Taking the appropriate strain of probiotics for weight gain ensures conditions in which yeast
cannot survive- this also prevents yeast infections and digestive discomfort.
The most common types of ‘friendly bacteria’ are Lactobacillus (which include the strains
acidophillus, casei, bulgaricus, and plantarum) and Bifidobacterium (which includes bifidum,
infantis, and longum).
The etymology of the word ‘Lactobacillus’ is
from the Latin word for milk and this type of bacteria is found in cultured, unpasteurised dairy
products, most commonly, yogurt. Unheated sauerkraut, home made chutneys and the Korean speciality,
kimchi are also sources of Lactobacillus. This type of bacteria has numerous beneficial effects on
our intestinal flora and it has also been found to aid weight loss. It regulates an unhealthy
digestive system and metabolism, and destroys greedy yeast cells- a major player in fat retention
in our bodies. The most common strain of probiotic to aid weight loss is from the Lactobacillus
family, known as ‘acidophullus’. As well as supporting weight loss and helping with digestive
problems, these friendly bacteria also bring relief to Crohn’s disease sufferers. Probiotics also
help to regulate the thyroid gland. People dealing with thyroid problems are all too aware of the
challenges of shifting the stubborn excess weight that this condition causes. Probiotics help to
balance the digestive system and metabolism, helping to create a more conducive environment for
tackling thyroid related issues and losing weight as a result.
Probiotic supplements can be purchased from all
reputable health food shops. However, the best source of these friendly bacteria is derived
naturally from fermented, unpasteurised whole foods as part of our normal, everyday diets. With the
advent of the modern processed, fast food diet, accompanied by obesity, IBS and other intestinal
problems, the natural sources of these probiotics in our diets have gradually dwindled. Supplements are indeed an effective way of
reintroducing these back into our diets. However, if we continue to eat processed and junk foods,
it becomes something of an own goal. Probiotic supplements work best if they are supported by a
system sustained by naturally derived, whole foods. Obesity and intestinal problems are generally
seen as symptoms of the modern ‘convenience’ diet whereas our ancestors regularly ate foods rich in
fermented dairy, grains, fruit and vegetables.
Research is still being carried out on the
extent to which probiotics can help with weight loss. However, with the results and evidence we
currently have, we do know that these friendly bacteria create the most favourable intestinal
environment whilst regulating the metabolism which in itself is a big step towards healthy weight
loss.
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