09 Dec Can Probiotics Promote Weight Loss?
Limited information has suggested in the past that probiotics may promote fat loss. A recent study published in Obesity revealed that individuals on a high-calorie, high-fat diet while consuming probiotics gained 1/2 as much fat as opposed to a high-calorie, high-fat diet without probiotics. The addition of probiotics did not prevent all weight gain or fat gain. Both groups gained fat, but individuals who were not taking the priobotics gained twice as much fat weight.
There are some limitations to the study. The study size was small with only 20 participants. All the participants were healthy, young, male, and non-obese. The study lasted only 4 weeks.
Take home message – Don’t rely on probiotics alone to make you skinny. When added to calorie restriction and regular exercise, probiotics may help you lose more fat, however. Larger studies for longer periods of time in overweight and obese patients are needed.
Here’s to the Journey!
(David W. Ball, MD, an Internal Medicine physician, founder of NuVitality Health – a wellness education company, and co-founder of Life Changing Fitness – a fitness facility for Every Body)
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