Probiotics for Belly Fat: Truth of a Myth?

June 7. 2022

One of the most popular weight-loss topics searched on the internet includes ways to lose belly fat. And while belly fat can be cute and squishy for some people or a source of dissatisfaction for others, one thing is sure – belly fat can indicate some serious underlying health concerns. We’re not saying there’s anything wrong with a muffin top; however, abdominal fat can quickly get out of control.

While new tips for losing belly fat arise virtually every day, there seem to be many solutions that have been there all along, but their purpose is somewhat different. One of them includes probiotics for belly fat.

What are probiotics?

Probiotics are essentially bacteria, and they’re often called good bacteria. As you may assume, they fight the harmful bacteria in your body, helping it function properly. Probiotics are live microorganisms that can provide your body with numerous benefits if you take them in sufficient quantities. They are mainly found in fermented foods, but you can also take them in a supplement form.

The two most common probiotic species include Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.
Lactobacillus is one of the most common probiotics, so it’s pretty easy to find. This probiotic produces an enzyme called lactase, known to tear down lactose. It’s often presented in fermented milk products, and it makes an excellent choice for lactose-intolerant people.
Bifidobacterium fights harmful bacteria in your intestine and aids digestion. It’s also found in fermented milk and supplements.
Probiotics can further be divided into subtypes known as probiotic strains. Each of them has different effects on your body, so let’s see a few of the most beneficial ones:

• L. Acidophilus is naturally found in fermented foods, and it aids your digestion.
• B. Longum is present in the human gastrointestinal tract, and it helps relieve inflammation, boost your immune system and lower cholesterol. 
• L. Plantarum attacks the harmful bacteria in your body. It can also relieve bloating and abdominal pain.
• B. Breve helps your body fight off infections, allergies, and obesity, but it’s also great for your skin.
• L. Casei is a much-needed probiotic in your body since it aids the digestion and absorption of nutrients.

Benefits of probiotics

While their primary purpose is to regulate your gut health, probiotics can also influence weight and metabolism. Some of the leading probiotic benefits include:

Preventing and treating diarrhea

Probiotics are typically used to treat diarrhea by fighting the germs that cause it.

Keeping your heart healthy

Sufficient amounts of probiotics in your system can lower the bad cholesterol in your blood, leading to lower blood pressure, blood glucose levels, and body mass index.

Improving mental health

Did you know that your gut and brain communicate directly via the gut-brain axis? This connection causes an unpleasant feeling in your stomach whenever you’re stressed or anxious. Since this connection is a two-way street, an unhealthy gut can negatively influence your brain.

Boosting your immune system

Since most of your immune system lives in your gut, it’s obvious how a healthy gut leads to better overall health. An unbalanced gut is known to trigger inflammatory responses, causing widespread damage throughout your body.

Improving your skin appearance

A poor diet can lead to unbalanced gut bacteria, causing frequent skin problems such as rosacea, acne, and eczema.

Probiotics for belly fat

The benefit you’re probably the most interested in right now is the impact probiotics have on your weight and how you can use them for belly fat. Well, to begin with, the healthy bacteria balance in your gut created with sufficient probiotics in your system benefits your overall weight in a few ways:

It reduces your appetite

The presence of good bacteria in your gut signals your brain that you’ve had enough to eat by supporting the production of appetite-lowering hormones. If you genuinely struggle with increased appetite, you may consider taking appetite suppressants.

It regulates fat storage

Short-chain fatty acids, such as butyrate, are often manufactured by the bacteria in your gut; such fatty acids can reduce insulin resistance and diet-induced obesity. Moreover, probiotics can increase the circulation of specific proteins that regulate fat storage in your body, further leading to weight loss.

It absorbs fewer calories

Some bacteria extract less energy from the food you consume, leading to more calories eliminated through your stool rather than absorbed in your body.

A study has shown that there are differences in gut flora between people with healthy weight and those who are obese. Some of the factors that can cause a negative change in your gut balance include a high-calorie diet, a high-fat diet, and the use of artificial sweeteners. Another research suggests that a specific probiotics strain known as Lactobacillus gasseri is especially good for getting rid of belly fat. This strain is found in fermented milk products, and individuals who consumed them lost around 8% of their belly fat over the course of twelve weeks.

Fighting belly fat is a tough battle for many people. Still, it’s essential for everyone to keep fighting against it since fat storage around the abdomen can cause serious health concerns. If you’re looking for additional ways to trigger the fat-loss process, you’ll likely benefit from Lipo Ignite® injections.

Probiotics-packed food

As mentioned earlier, you can ensure an adequate amount of probiotics in your system using oral supplements. Still, it’s good to know you can increase your probiotics intake by indulging in the following food choices:

Yogurt

Yogurt is, as you probably know, made from milk fermented by friendly bacteria. It’s one of the best probiotic sources, as long as you get the ones with active or live cultures.

Kefir

Kefir is a fermented probiotic milk drink packed with all sorts of ingredients beneficial for your overall well-being. It’s typically made by adding kefir grains (cultures of lactic acid bacteria) to goat’s or cow’s milk. While it’s not so popular in the Western diet, this beverage is actually better for you in terms of its high probiotics content. Kefir is also well-tolerated by lactose-intolerant people and can bring several other benefits to your health, including protection against infections, improved bone health, and help with certain digestive problems.

Tempeh

Tempeh is now widely known as a high-protein meal substitute, but it can also be an excellent source of probiotics for vegans. It’s made from fermented soybeans, and as a result of the fermentation process, tempeh is high in Vitamin B as well.

Sauerkraut

Sauerkraut is packed with probiotics and rich in fiber and vitamins B, C, and K.

Miso

Miso is a traditional Japanese seasoning that can provide you with protein, fiber, and probiotics; it’s also high in several vitamins and minerals and can be your companion for losing belly fat.

Kombucha

Kombucha is a traditional fermented Chinese drink consumed in many Asian countries. However, it’s now becoming increasingly popular in the rest of the world due to its amazing health benefits. This beverage is made from either fermented green or black tea by a friendly colony of yeast and bacteria. Many diet experts are now embracing and recommending kombucha for weight loss.

Cheese

Certain types of cheese are packed with probiotics. While most cheeses go through the fermentation process, not all of them contain sufficient amounts of probiotics. That’s why we recommend you read the labels and look for terms such as active cultures or live cultures. The thing is, not all good bacteria survive the aging process in cheeses, but those that do are mainly found in mozzarella, cheddar, Gouda, and cottage cheese.

Are there any downsides to taking probiotics?

To begin with, probiotics shouldn’t increase the frequency of your bowel movements; they’re typically used to treat diarrhea, as you probably know. You may notice a slight change in your digestive function in terms of better regularity or more comfortable bowel movements. Still, if this is your first time supplementing with probiotics, you may witness a temporary increase in bloating or gas. You shouldn’t be concerned about it; these symptoms typically pass in the next couple of days, leaving you with better overall digestion. To avoid these symptoms lasting more than that, Chicago’s best weight loss expert suggests you don’t go overboard by supplementing with both oral probiotics and fermented foods.
Besides these common side effects, it’s important to note that not all probiotics aid weight loss; some may even lead to weight gain. This is another reason you should first consult specialists before taking probiotics as a supplement.

Final thoughts

Your body constantly strives to achieve a balanced state; only then is it possible to work at its peak. One of the essential balances you can ensure is the gut balance. Not only will it aid your overall well-being, but it will also boost your efforts to lose belly fat. Suppose you’ve only used probiotics to prevent or treat stomach discomfort such as diarrhea. In that case, we suggest you start indulging in fermented food or consult your physician about starting a probiotic supplement.

As mentioned earlier, each probiotic strain brings different benefits to your body, so it’s advisable you get a high-quality supplement that contains multiple strains tailored to your needs. If you’re interested in learning more about how and which probiotics are beneficial for losing belly fat, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Author

Nurse Walton

Born and raised in Chicago, IL, Chanay received her Practical Nurse licensure and went to work in clinical specialties such as Home Health, Assisted Living, Long-Term Care and Dialysis Centers. Through this work, she realized the importance of diet, nutrition and weight loss among her patients. This led her to open A Better Weigh, Inc. Medical Weight Loss Center in 2009.