Likely, you’ve heard someone over the last couple of years talking about the benefits of probiotics…and if you do a little research you’ll find there are a LOT of benefits to these little strains of bacteria. There are many different strains of probiotics, each strain has a unique function and benefit to the gut and the body. So what are probiotics exactly? 
(click the inserted photo for more information on probiotics)
When you are ill, occasionally (depending on what is making you ill), you may start an antibiotic regimen…the purpose of the antibiotic that you are consuming is to kill whatever bacteria is causing your issue. Unfortunately, they don’t kill 1 specific bacterial strain, they will also in the process killing off the bad bacteria, kill off some of your “good” bacteria too. When starting an antibiotic regimen, most people will have at least one or two loose bowel movements…this is from the die off of bacteria. Depending on the type of antibiotic as well as the length of time that you take it, it can leave you immunocompromised. If you take a probiotic while on an antibiotic (at separate times of the day, so they don’t counteract each other), then it can help ensure that your good bacteria levels stay sufficient to maintain a healthy gut…a healthy gut allows your immune system to function at a higher level of efficiency and ensuring your digestive process (and nutrient absorption) is operating at a more optimal level.
What many people don’t realize is that not only can antibiotics effect the levels of good bacteria in your gut, so can your diet as well as many other factors. Raw greens and fermented foods contain probiotics…while a lot of the chemically junk in processed food can promote bad bacteria in the gut.
I personally, struggled with IBS for years. Now, while my diet wasn’t the best…it was better than most people my age. (Which just goes to show that everyone is different…some people’s gut can withstand junk, and others can’t.) When I moved off to college, it became such an issue I could not eat anything in the cafeteria or food court without getting sick (literally…nothing! EVERYTHING made me sick! To the point I was missing classes because of my stomach). My physician at the time put me on a prescription for IBS, which was barely effective for about 2 weeks, after 2 weeks it was like taking a sugar pill…it was doing absolutely nothing. So we tried a few other meds, to no avail. About 3 years ago, I had done some research on probiotics, so I decided to try them out. I went on a 85 Billion Probiotic with over 50 strains…I took one daily, until I had gone through the 90 capsule bottle. Within a few days I could tell they were working, but I continued until the bottle was gone. To this day, I do not struggle with IBS. Occasionally, if I eat out I may have an upset stomach (usually from salads, but this has a lot to do with how they wash it)…but I typically take digestive enzymes before I eat out. As long as I remember to take my digestive enzymes before I eat an abnormal meal (or a meal I know I shouldn’t be eating 😉 ), then I don’t have any problems at all! (I’ll do a blog on digestive enzymes soon!)
Now that we’ve talked about the more commonly known benefits of probiotics…lets get into the more juicy stuff! Research has been out there for years showing that probiotics can help with weight loss…and there is new research out there that backs this up! When they first started studying the effects of probiotics on weight, they took samples of the bacteria from individuals who were thin/lean and those that were overweight and obese…what they found is that those that are lean have different bacteria in their gut than those that are overweight/obese. There are some strains that cross over between these individuals, but there was clear difference in the combination and amounts of the strains contained in their gut. The two types of bacteria that are the focus of this research are Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. Research shows that individuals that have a tendency to be lean by nature have higher concentrations of bacteroidetes in their gut and a small amount of firmicutes….however, the opposite is true for those individuals that struggle with weight. While there isn’t 100% definitive evidence out there on how to increase one while decreasing the others (besides doing a fecal transplant…yes, that is exactly as it sounds like…Gross, I know! But if done by an experienced physician, it works). One way that research shows can be helpful at reversing this balance is consuming more beans. If you have trouble digesting beans, research also suggests it’s because of a lack of this bacteria! One article suggests starting with as little as 1 tablespoon of beans at dinner for a week, then start working your way toward a full serving (see article here).
There is also another strain that has been researched in its effectiveness in aiding in weight loss, especially in women….Lactobacillus rhamnosus. One study on the effect of probiotics on weight loss showed that women who were taking a probiotic containing this strain, during a calorie restricted diet found that the group of women taking a probiotic containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus lost more weight than the group with out it. Conversely, they removed the calorie restricted diet and left the supplementation of probiotics the same…the group that was getting the probiotic continued to lose weight, while the group that was not getting it GAINED weight! So, the moral of the story…if you’re trying to lose weight, consider taking a probiotic 😉 . We carry two probiotics with live cultures that contain this strain, so if you have trouble finding a probiotic with this strain contact us and we’d be happy to provide you with one 🙂 !
If you would like to read more on probiotics and weight loss…visit the following links:
Mercola – this one is about how antibiotics early in life can effect metabolism
Huffington Post – this one talks about how to increase your Bacteroidetes
Nutrition Education with Kelli 