Probiotics and Weight Loss: How and Why They Work
Many people wonder if probiotics can help with weight loss. The answer lies in your gut microbiome, which is unique to you and is made up of the trillions of microbes that live within your digestive system.It includes live bacteria, fungi, parasites, and other microbes. Some of these microbes are good for your health, while others are bad for your health.Importantly, research has found a number of links between the gut microbiome and weight. People who carry extra weight have significantly different microbiomes to those who do not.ZOE’s PREDICT program — the largest nutritional study of its kind, which has collected data on over 10,000 people — found that increased amounts of belly fat are associated with certain “bad” gut bacteria.In order to increase your gut diversity, and therefore accumulate more “good” microbes, you can consume probiotics. These are live microbes that scientists believe may provide health benefits.Some fermented foods are probiotic and contain strains of these mi...