'Add one thing to diet' to help weight loss, says gut health expert

Suzie Smith said probiotics had been proven to help prevent weight gain

People trying to lose weight should add one thing to their diet, a gut health expert has said. Suzie Smith, who is a clinical nutritionist, recommended adding probiotics.

Suzie, an advisor to PrecisionBiotics, said, said gut health affected overall psychological and physical wellbeing. This means it impacts everything from mood to cognition, immunity - and weight. She said this was down to the complicated communication system known as the gut-brain axis, which also influences the gut microbiome.

She said that new research carried out by PrecisionBiotics had found that 96% of adults in Britain correctly believed their gut health could impact their overall quality of life. However, 44% thought they couldn't do anything to support their gut health.

Suzie said research showed the important of gut health in relation to weight management. She said probiotics, in particular Bifidobacterium – 12 (BB-12), had been shown to help prevent weight gain, particularly from high-fat diets.

Suzie said: "One study in 220 participants aged 30-65 years found that six months of a mixed probiotic containing BB-12 significantly reduced body weight by 1.34kg and also reduced BMI, waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio. A meta-analysis of 20 randomised controlled trials found that probiotic supplementation had a significant decrease in BMI by 0.73 kg/m2.

"The analysis also found that probiotic supplementation significantly decreased waist circumference and hip circumference. The gut microbiota and hence probiotics may impact weight loss through various mechanisms.

"Theories are that probiotics may strengthen the natural immune response; regulate the functions of endogenous microbiota; improve intestinal barrier function; modify the secretion of hormones, neurotransmitters, and inflammatory factors; and alter the metabolism of short-chain fatty acids in the gut, which can result in the release of appetite-regulating hormones."

Three ways to support your gut health to directly help with weight loss

Suzie said: “Take a strain-specific probiotic containing BB-12 - which is within PrecisionBiotics Daily Good Bacteria Gut Health supplement - for which there is an evidence-based impact on weight loss.

“Eat a healthy diet containing plenty of fruit and vegetables, including berries, greens, kiwi, and grains such as oats, with fibre-containing foods working with a probiotic to enhance gut health by promoting bacterial diversity. Don’t skip meals as regularity of meals helps the establishment of a healthy gut microbiota."

Suzie added: “The British Dietetic Association recommends taking probiotics for at least four weeks to give them time to work; it takes time for probiotics to start to work their magic, via the gut-brain-axis, and begin to reset other body systems and biofeedback.”