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Is it true that probiotics help you lose weight – 4 scientific facts

Probiotics are live cultures of bacteria or products containing them, which are able not only to normalize the work of the gastrointestinal tract through the restoration of microflora, but also have a beneficial effect on all types of metabolism in the body.

According to the latest scientific data, probiotics help to reduce body weight and maintain weight within the regulatory values.

For example, experiments on rats revealed reduction of mesenteric obesity by 23%, reduction of adipocyte volume (adipose tissue cells) by 28%.

Similar results were obtained during the Human studies . Japanese scientists gave probiotics to people with high body weight (obesity and pre-obesity) for 12 weeks. It was recorded that the amount of adipose tissue in the abdominal cavity decreased by 4.6%, body weight – by 1.5%, waist and hip circumference – by 1.8% and 1.5%, respectively. There was also an increase in the concentration of leptin in the blood plasma, a special hormonal substance that suppresses appetite.

The mechanisms by which probiotics reduce fat deposition are not fully understood and involve many factors.

Below, we have similarly analyzed the 4 main mechanisms by which probiotics promote weight loss.

1. Probiotics reduce fat absorption

According to scientific data , probiotics inhibit the activity of the lipase enzyme, which is responsible for the breakdown and assimilation of fats.

As a result, a significant part of the fat supplied with food is removed from the body along with feces.

Polish scientists recommend include probiotics in the treatment regimen of obese patients. The effectiveness of adding probiotic products has been proven in many scientific studies.

Thus, probiotics reduce the absorption of fats received with food, which has a beneficial effect on body weight.

2. They help to reduce appetite

Beneficial bacteria increase the feeling of satiety in the body when taking small portions of food.

Action, according to American scientists is associated with accelerated release of glucagon-like peptide-1. The increase in the content of this biologically active substance contributes to the "burning" of excess fat deposits.

A number of studies link decreased appetite with an effect on the autonomic nuclei of the nervous system, which further proves the positive potential of using probiotics for the treatment and prevention of obesity.

In addition, proven that the systematic inclusion of probiotic products in the diet increases the content of leptin in blood plasma, which, by stimulating specific structures of the hypothalamus, inhibits hunger, as well as slows down the formation of new adipocytes and the proliferation of blood vessels that provide them with oxygen and nutrients.

Scientists from Sweden have discovered an increase in the content of a hormone–like substance - ANGPL4 after consuming lactobacilli. This substance reduces the accumulation of a number of stress factors , which increase the accumulation of adipose tissue.

Probiotics affect the secretion of a number of hormones responsible for feeling full and fat metabolism, facilitating the weight loss process.

3. Prevention of metabolic syndrome

Recently, the term "metabolic syndrome" has become a pandemic concept combining such pathologies:

Obesity;
Decreased sensitivity of peripheral receptors to insulin and type II diabetes mellitus;
Arterial hypertension;
Atherosclerosis;
Gout;
Multiple disorders of carbohydrate, lipid and purine metabolism.

All the described deviations are connected with each other by complex mechanisms. The presence of one of them is a high risk of clinical manifestation of the remaining components of the syndrome.

Canadian researchers have identified that the beneficial microflora contributes to an increase in the secretion of bile acids into the intestinal lumen, which has a beneficial effect on lipid metabolism and reduces atherosclerotic overlays in the walls of large vessels , as well as reactive inflammation. As a result, the tone of the sympathetic departments decreases of the nervous system and the formation of hypertension is prevented.

Chinese scientists confirm the fact that normalization of intestinal microbiocenosis reduces the concentration of lipids and glucose in plasma, reduces cholesterol levels and the accumulation of fat molecules in the body.

It is important to note that according to scientists from the USA , when using probiotics, even a high-fat diet does not lead to a significant increase in body weight.

Thus, probiotics contribute to the prevention of metabolic syndrome and can be used to prevent a number of extremely dangerous diseases from the endocrine and cardiovascular systems.

4. Suppression of inflammatory processes of adipose tissue

The body's fat reserves are in a state of chronic inflammation. An important role in the initiation of this condition is played by excess fatty acids, hypoxia and hyperinsulinemic background.

Bacterial agents of the digestive system have a great influence on the initiation of inflammation.

Toxic substances secreted by pathogenic flora cause an increase in cytokine production (they trigger an inflammatory reaction) and reduce the sensitivity of peripheral receptors of muscle and adipose tissue to insulin. As a result, metabolism slows down, and the breakdown of adipose tissue decreases. There is a clinical manifestation of type II diabetes mellitus and obesity.

According to scientists , the use of probiotics slows down the growth of "harmful" bacteria in intestines , which reduces the activity of the above processes.

Probiotic products reduce inflammation of adipose tissue.

Conclusion

Thus, probiotics, due to their complex effect on many mechanisms of obesity development, not only help to lose weight, but also prevent a large number of diseases associated with excessive body weight (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, etc.).