Just as microorganisms are naturally present in our bodies, some of the bacteria in these probiotics can help in digestion, in the formation of vitamins, and in the destruction of disease-causing cells.
Previous research has used combinations of probiotic strains to evaluate the effect on obesity management, so the authors of the present study tried to find out what happened when bifidobacteria were administered alone.
Probiotics for weight management
“All the children were on a Mediterranean-style diet with a calorie limit according to their needs,” said Dr. Flavia Prodam, associate professor of clinical nutrition at the Department of Health Sciences at the University of Piemontriental in Italy. Then children Got either a probiotic or a placebo for eight weeks.
Both groups eventually experienced a decrease in their body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, insulin resistance, and concentration of E. coli bacteria. Participants who took probiotics, however, showed a decrease in weight loss, insulin sensitivity, and E. coli concentration.
The effects of the probiotics continued for a few weeks after the children stopped taking them, said Dr. Christopher Moore, pediatric gastroenterologist and director of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition fellowship at Boston’s Messin General Hospital for Children. , Who was not involved in the study.
“Several studies have shown that when you stop taking probiotics, they disappear in the gut and have no lasting effects,” added Moore, who is also an assistant professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School.
Supports your baby’s gut health
Even foods like “wheat, onions, bananas, garlic and leeks” can feed bifidobacteria into our energy, ”Prodam said.
Whether or not children have more probiotic strains may have genetic and environmental potential, Moore said – but even microbiota formation can be “directly dependent,” including changes in microbiota when eating over-processed foods.
Unknown of probiotics
Additional, lengthy studies are needed to further understand how probiotic supplements can improve intestinal microbiota, and therefore metabolism and weight.
“There’s already data that suggests that obesity (may be) associated with microbiome changes, although not a lot of data describes how microbiome changes came first … or weight changes and then microbiome changes.” Moran said in an email. “We also know that many major dietary changes (especially restricted diets) have a major impact on our microbiome.”
“Although probiotics are generally considered safe for most people, most probiotic trials do not report safety data strictly because these data are recorded in pharmaceutical trials,” said Dr. J. Frey Predis, a gastroenterologist and assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics. Pediatricians at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital.
“So the risk of side effects may be higher than we thought,” added Prednis, who was not involved in the study. “Parents should consult their pediatricians before starting any probiotic practice.”
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