Probiotics For Gut Health, Detox and Fat Loss

Probiotics are tiny, “good” bacteria that naturally occur in the gastrointestinal tract and destroy harmful bacteria, improve bowel movements and aid digestion. However, appropriate levels of these bacteria, commonly called microflora, do more than just make sure food passes through you efficiently. Probiotics directly affect nutrient absorption and they lower chronic inflammation, while supporting your body’s ability to produce neurotransmitters for the brain.

In fact, about two-thirds of your neurotransmitters are made in the gut lining, meaning that the major chemicals that are responsible for mood and brain function are produced in the gastrointestinal tract. There’s a lot of evidence that cognitive function and mood will be poor if you have problems with your gut.

Improve Your Digestion

It is estimated that one third of the UK population regularly suffers from digestive illnesses, such as irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, diarrhoea, stomach-aches and nausea. The healthy bacteria in probiotics are involved in the completion of digestion, the manufacture of B-vitamins and the gut barrier preventing toxins from entering the blood stream. They also keep pathogenic organisms under control.

Detoxify Your Body

A new study in the journal Nutrition shows that probiotics help detoxify the body of heavy metals, free radicals, and dangerous bacteria by enhancing the natural antioxidant status in the body. It significantly increased glutathione status (the number one internal antioxidant in the body) and decreased malondialdehyde, (a primary marker of oxidative stress that leads to inflammation) indicating activation of the detoxification system.

A second study of pregnant women confirms this. Seventy pregnant women in their third trimester who were given a probiotic for nine weeks had much higher glutathione and related antioxidant levels than a control group. Researchers suggest a probiotic is safe and beneficial for the health of the mother and the fetus.

Lose Belly Fat

The interesting thing about belly fat loss with probiotics is that it starts with the brain. Here’s how it works: if you have an unhealthy gut, you will likely have more stress and anxiety, which leads to the release of stress hormones, such as cortisol. Several studies have shown that stressful events trigger cortisol and lead to the onset of chronic gastrointestinal disturbances. Stomach problems and elevated cortisol directly affect insulin health and leads to belly fat gain.

Detoxifying your body also helps with fat loss. The effect of enhancing the body’s antioxidant system is better blood sugar management and insulin health, leading to better body composition.

For best results, consider taking a probiotic all the time. Many people think a probiotic is only necessary when feeling sick, but with the constant inundation of bad bacteria, heavy metals, and oxidative stress we are exposed to daily, a probiotic is essential. Also it’s a no brainer if you’re trying to lose fat. A good supplement I use is Bio-Acidophilus Forte from BioCare.