Probiotics Can Assist in Weight Loss

Beneficial qualities of friendly bacteria, also known as probiotics, had recently become a subject of a serious scientific interest. Food manufacturers followed the lead by flooding the market with “stomach-friendly” processed products, mainly yogurts containing “miraculous live bacteria”. Frequent TV advertisings now show perfectly slim, active and happy young women holding cups of probiotic yogurts. How true are these messages that foods containing probiotic cultures can help us lose weight, improve our intestinal ecology, and assist in treating a number of health conditions?

Probiotics are defined as friendly micro-organisms that live in the intestinal tract in symbiotic relationships with humans (and animals). In a healthy body, these beneficial bacteria compose most of the guts’ microflora and efficiently protect digestive health. Those who lack healthy intestinal flora, mainly as a result of the use of antibiotics or aggressive forms of colonics, often suffer from intestinal discomfort, yeast infections, Candida overgrowth, constipation, bloating, and weight gain. Reintroducing probiotics quickly normalizes digestive health, prevents infections, strengthens the immune system, and helps lose weight.

Most friendly probiotics belong to the families of Lactobacillus (acidophillus, casei, bulgaricus, and plantarum) and Bifidobacterium (bifidum, infantis, and longum).

The word “Lactobacillus” is derived from the Latin word “milk”. These types of bacteria can be found in cultured, unpasteurized dairy products, such as kefir, kumis, or yogurt. Some strains of Lactobacillus can also be obtained from home-made lacto-fermented fruits and vegetables, especially unheated sauerkraut and traditionally-made chutneys. The Lactobacillus family has first been discovered in the beginning of the 20th century by Russian doctor and researcher E. Metchnikov.

Lactic bacteria, that mostly resign in the small intestine, assist the body in numerous digestive and protective processes, including the absorption of minerals (calcium, magnesium, iron, etc.); assimilation of vitamins; inhibition of yeasts and harmful bacteria (streptococcus, salmonella, E.coli, Candida, etc.); disintegration of some viruses (vaccine cells, herpes, polio, etc.); and even neutralization of cancer-causing nitrosamines (which are produced by our bodies from nitrates and nitrites contained in processed meats and cigarettes smoke).

Many wholistic practitioners believe that Lactobacillus can help obese people lose weight by improving their metabolism and killing harmful intestinal micro-organisms that contribute to the fat formation. Recent studies have shown that lactic acid bacteria can break down various complex carbohydrates, including those contained in beans, starches, and difficult-to-digest vegetables, thus reducing bloating, intestinal accumulation of waste, and gastrointestinal discomfort so typical for vegetarians and people on low-fat, high-carb, and high-fibre diets.

Bifidobacteria usually resign in the large intestine and colon. Their main actions are to inhibit the growth of pathogens and manufacture important B-vitamins. Some researchers believe that Bifidobacteria also play role in reducing the levels of “bad” cholesterol.

Earlier studies of traditional societies showed that healthy indigenous people from different parts of the world always included some bacteria-rich foods in their daily menu. Some quantities of fermented grains, dairy, vegetables, fruits, and even fish and meats were habitually consumed by the healthy and lean Inuit, Masai, Maori, Russians, Norwegians, and numerous other ancient tribes and societies. These traditional people (extensively studied in the first part of the 20th century by Dr. Weston Price) had perfect, trim bodies and superior health.

In order to get more probiotics in your diet, be it for weight-loss purposes or to improve intestinal health, you do not have to purchase isolated strains of bacteria from your pharmacist. You can get these natural medicines from food sources, just like our ancestors did. Fermented, unpasteurized whole foods are the best support for your digestion and healthy weight. Raw cheeses, properly-made yogurts and other cultured dairy products, kimchi and sauerkraut, traditional lacto-fermented beverages, such as unpasteurized wine, kvass, mead, or kombucha, are just several examples of a vast array of probiotic-containing foods.

We recommend that you eat small amount of yogurt, sauerkraut, or fermented fruits with your every meal, to boost the immune system, help digestion, and assist in shedding off excess weight.

Lada Brown