Collin County Living Well Magazine Summer 2014 | Page 34

Can
Probiotics
Help You
Lose
Weight?
By Donna Barsky, D.PH., R.PH. and Christina Reiter, CCN

P

robiotics seem to be hot buzzwords in the nutritional product industry right now. Lately,
probiotics were talked about on the Dr. Oz
show. Every week brings news of another
benefit tied to these tiny bacteria that naturally congregate by the millions in your gut and intestines.
Recent research has shown probiotics can aid digestion,
affect your mood, and even help to build your immunity.
A new study, published in the British Journal of Nutrition,
links one probiotic strain to fat loss. But can you really trust
the new claims made for weight reduction?
To answer this question, we asked the certified clinical
nutritionist at Texas Star Pharmacy, Christina Reiter, for
her opinion. “Well, we first have to look at the science to
separate fact from fiction,” Christina says.
A team of Japanese researchers separated 200 obese
people into three groups. While everyone in the group consumed a daily 7-ounce serving of fermented milk, only two
of the groups consumed milk that was treated with a probiotic called Lactobacillus gasseri (strain SBT2055). Past
research has tied this strain of probiotic to fat loss. During
the results of the study, the group who drank the probioticlaced milk dropped roughly 10% of their visceral fat—a
particularly unhealthy fat type that layers itself around

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Collin County Living Well Magazine • Summer 2014

your heart and organs, affecting longevity. Both of these
probiotic-treated groups also lost 1 to 3% of their belly fat,
the study shows.
“Your intestines are built to manage the digestion and
absorption of the foods you eat, therefore it’s entirely possible the probiotic used in the study reduces inflammation
in the gastro-intestinal tract and enhances digestion, both
of which could reduce body fat and abdominal distention,”
Christina reasons. “But here’s the real issue: Most people
aren’t going to be able to find it unless they go to a qualified
healthcare professional or come to Texas Star Pharmacy.”
To test her theory, we tried to find the probiotic used in the
study at the Vitamin Shoppe, at Sprouts, Whole Foods, and
lastly, GNC. We found ourselves back at Texas Star again,
where Christina showed us four different brands carried by
our store.
A recent study published in the International Journal of
Obesity found that, while some bacteria found in probiotics
assist with weight loss, others contribute to obesity— but
it’s important to note that those bacteria and other ingredients belong to an entirely different class and are not meant
for everyone to take—each person has a unique constitution
and biochemical make up not unlike a fingerprint that is
unique. For instance, if you are having problems combating