Probiotics for Weight Loss?
By Margaret Furtado, M.S., R.D. - Posted on Tue, Nov 24, 2009, 11:54 am PSTBelieve it or not, the human body contains more bacteria living inside than individual cells: 100 trillion microorganisms live in our gastrointestinal tract as compared with a "mere" 10 trillion human cells in our body. And one of the best kinds of microorganisms we can have flourishing inside our bodies are the probiotics, the healthy bacteria that live in our intestines or gut. Now, new research from the Stanford University School of Medicine and Stanford Hospital and Clinics suggests probiotics might even enhance weight-loss programs.
The Stanford researchers first noticed the beneficial effects of probiotics on weight when working with extremely obese patients who've had gastric-bypass surgery. But studies are showing that the benefits of probiotics are not limited to those who've had this medical procedure.
So why are probiotics assisting with weight loss? Several studies have suggested that the guts of normal-weight people contain a different mix or balance of the types and amounts of bacteria that are found in the intestines of overweight folks. One study even found these same imbalances among the microorganisms in 7-year-old kids who were overweight.
Could it be that bad bacteria are causing at least some of our weight issues? Is it possible that one day we'll just ingest a dollop of "weight-friendly" bacteria to bring our body size under control?
It's too soon to know exactly where this discovery will lead, so here are my recommendations:
- Be sure to include foods in your diet that contain probiotics, such as yogurt.
- Avoid brands of yogurt that have the "fruit" at the bottom and instead go with low-fat, low-sugar varieties that contain plenty of protein and calcium. A cup of yogurt is a great snack to hold you over in between meals or after a workout. Greek yogurts are especially high in protein.
- Make prebiotics part of your regular diet as well. Prebiotics--tiny fibers found in some fruits and vegetables--just happen to be what probiotics and other good bacteria eat. Good sources of prebiotics include wheat, bananas, onions, garlic, and leeks. (Europeans eat far more prebiotics than do people in the U.S--might this explain part of the weight discrepancy between the U.S. and European populations?)
- If you have digestive issues, be sure to talk with your doctor or dietitian about "pharmaceutical-grade" probiotics, which are the equivalent of prescription-strength good bacteria.
Last, a caveat: Don't even think about starting to load up on probiotics so that you can slack off on exercise or ignore your healthy eating plan. There is no miracle probiotic cure in the pipeline!
http://health.yahoo.com/experts/weightloss/8725/probiotics-for-weight-loss/
USANA Launches Probiotic Plus
SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- USANA Health Sciences (NASDAQ: USNA) today launched Probiotic Plus, a new probiotic food supplement. Probiotics help replenish beneficial bacteria in the intestinal tract, which can aid good digestion and enhance immune function. This new
"We are thrilled to be able to introduce Probiotic Plus, as digestive health and immune function lie at the core of overall health and well being," said Dr. Tim Wood, USANA's Executive Vice President of Research and Development. "Probiotics have been one of our key research goals for years. Probiotic Plus sets the standard for shelf life and convenience and it contains a combination of the two most researched probiotic strains known. This product will bring probiotics to a new level."
Probiotic Plus contains a proprietary blend of specific strains of probiotic bacteria that are clinically proven to survive the harsh, acidic environment of the stomach. Probiotic Plus is packaged in an easy-to-carry stick pack and can be taken alone or added to cold beverages or foods every one or two days to help maintain digestive health and immune function. Each stick pack is filled with 12 billion viable bacteria in a 50/50 mixture of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, LGG(R) and Bifidobacterium BB-12(R). These strains of bacteria survive passage through the stomach exceptionally well and colonize the intestines effectively.
Learn more about USANA's products and opportunity by visiting our Web site, reading our blog, becoming a fan on Facebook, or following us on Twitter.
About USANA
USANA Health Sciences develops and manufactures high-quality nutritionals, personal care, energy and weight management products that are sold directly to Preferred Customers and Associates throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Mexico, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
Source: USANA Health Sciences
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