Can taking probiotics affect weight loss? Research confirming this thesis is not much, however, these are carried out promising.
About 1000 species of bacteria live in the human digestive tract, differentiated as far as the place of existence. And so in the small intestine, the predominant oxygen bacteria Gram - negative, and in the large intestine live anaerobic bacteria, Gram - addition and Gram - negative. Species characteristic of the human intestinal microflora are bacteria of the genusFirmicutes, Bacteroides, Proteobacteria andActinobacteria.It seems obvious that the composition of bacterial flora in all healthy people is the same. However, studies have shown that there are some differences in the composition of bacterial flora in obese and those with normal body weight. Based on these results, conclusions have been drawn that other factors are the cause of obesity in addition to excessive energy supply.
In the bodies of people with normal body mass, the main species that build flora are bacteria of the genusFirmicutes(64% among othersClostridium, Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Enterococcus) andBacteroides(23%). Studies conducted on laboratory animals and humans have shown that in obese people this proportion is disturbed, for the benefit ofFirmicutes. In addition, weight loss caused an increase in type shareBacteroidesin bacterial microflora. However, this is related to the change in eating habits, and not just the result of the loss of excessive kilos. Another argument confirming the impact of diet on the intestinal microflora. A study comparing the change from low fat to high fat diet showed a significant decline in the typeBacteroidesin favor of theFirmicutesandProteobacteria in all subjects, regardless of body weight.
On the other hand, the objection to such a theory may be observational studies comparing the bacterial microflora of six- and twelve-month-old infants. After 7 years, it turned out that in children whose intestinal flora in infancy contained fewer bacteria of the genusBacteroides,and moreStaphylococcus aureus,there are weight disorders, i.e. overweight or obesity.
Although the above facts indicate a significant relationship between the decrease in the shareBacteroidesin the intestinal flora, an abnormal diet and excessive supply of calories are still not fully explained, among others because there are many studies whose results are opposite to those presented above. This just proves that the problem of obesity is very complex and still requires many scientific experiments. So, can the use of appropriate probiotic preparations help fight too high a weight? Here, too, scientific research does not give a definite answer. Some of them indicate that supplementation of appropriate bacterial strains may help reduce body weight, and the adoption of unsuitable strains may have the opposite effect in the form of its growth. In addition, some results differ in humans and animals, which is further evidence that the results of experiments on animal models can not be uncritically extrapolated to humans.
According to research, strains supplementationLactobacillus acidophilusit causes weight gain in both animals and humans. In turn, bacteriaLactobacillus fermentumandLactobacillus ingluvei they were responsible for the increase in body weight only in animals. Strains supporting weight loss areLactobacillus plantarum(only on animals) and Lactobacillus gasseri(people and animals). Unfortunately, there are few studies confirming the effectiveness of probiotics. One of them, lasting 12 weeks and carried out with 87 patients, examined the effect of supplementationLactobacillus gasserion anthropometric parameters (body weight, BMI, amount of adipose tissue). Volunteers qualified for the study are people with BMI 24.2 - 37 kg / m2 and visceral obesity. After the experiment, patients lost weight, BMI, and waist and hip circumference.In addition, there was a reduction in the level of adipose tissue in the abdominal cavity and subcutaneous tissue.
Eating disorders, an incorrect, high-calorie diet are undoubtedly the main elements responsible for overweight and obesity among people. The research results presented above, however, are proof that other factors predispose to its development. Sometimes, a low-calorie diet is not enough. Appropriate and safe supplementation of probiotics is an excellent factor supporting the patient in the fight against additional kilograms.
Source literature
Żak-Gołąb A., Olszanecka-Glinianowicz M., Kocełak P .: The role of intestinal flora in the pathogenesis of obesity. Postepy Hig Med. Dosw (online), 2014; 68: 84-90.
Martlicz W., Ostrowska L., Łoniewski I .: Bacterial flora of the gut and its potential relationship with obesity. Endocrinology, Obesity and Metabolic Disorders 2013, vol. 9, no. 1.
Stachowicz N., Kiersztan A .: The role of intestinal microflora in the pathogenesis of obesity and diabetes. Postepy Hig Med. Dosw (online), 2013; 67: 288-303.
