Most experts agree that the intestinal microbiome is highly important to normal digestion and immune function. They also agree that probiotics can help balance a healthy intestinal flora to promote these benefits.*

But now evidence is accumulating to suggest that the health of the intestinal microbiome has an effect on other aspects of health and wellness, including the tendency to be either overweight or too thin. 

Research in animals and humans demonstrates that lean individuals have different types of, and more diversity in, their GI microflora than obese individuals. This suggests that supplementing with a high-quality probiotic might help support the effort to maintain a healthy weight.

Okay, so which probiotic do I take?

While it is true that there are many advantages of probiotics, it is also true that not all probiotics are created equal. There are a lot of options on the market. There’s also a lot of misunderstanding and misinformation about what constitutes the ideal probiotic.

First, let’s look at some overall guidelines for choosing a probiotic supplement.

Are more live cells always better?

Many probiotic supplements on the market boast their multiple strain combinations, but often there is no evidence that these strains work well together.

In fact, it is well known among microbiologists that higher strain counts do not necessarily translate to higher efficacy. Many manufacturers use a higher number of organisms because their product lacks stability, both on the shelf and in the stomach.

Higher strain counts lose their significance when the bacteria are not viable, cannot survive well in stomach acid, or don’t colonize and replicate in the intestines.

The type of strain also matters; probiotic strains that normally live in the human GI tract have longer survival rates and are more likely to thrive in the human intestinal tract. On the other hand, bacteria derived from other sources, like dairy, are less likely to remain in the human intestinal tract and therefore provide only temporary benefit.

A refrigerated probiotic is better, right?

This is a common misconception. A probiotic is not better because it needs to be refrigerated. On the contrary, if your probiotic requires refrigeration, that is the first indication of its potential instability.

Lack of stability can quickly translate to lack of efficacy.

At Thorne, our probiotic formulas are tested to ensure that we deliver the number of organisms stated on the label, up to the date of expiration, not just at the time of manufacture. No refrigeration required.

You will also see that our formulas utilize unique acid- and moisture-resistant capsules when appropriate to ensure the stability of the bacteria through the digestive tract.

Bonus? No refrigeration means great convenience for anyone with a busy lifestyle!

What can a probiotic do for weight management?

As discussed above, there are many advantages of probiotics. When it comes to weight management support specifically, Thorne’s FloraMend Prime Probiotic® is your best choice.* Just take a look at the ingredients and you’ll see why.

One of its three strains, Lactobacillus gasseri, is one of two bacterial species with both human and animal data that support a role in weight management.*

A human study on Lactobacillus gasseri found an average 4.6-percent reduction in visceral and subcutaneous fat tissue with accompanying positive effects on body weight, waist circumference, and body mass index.*1

The other two probiotic strains in FloraMend, Bifidobacterium longum and Bifidobacterium bifidum, are dominant in the mucus membrane that lines the large intestine.

In addition to supporting maintenance of a normal pH; enhancing absorption of important minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus;2 and supporting GI immune function and bowel regularity, healthy levels of Bifidobacterium might also provide protection against weight gain, particularly in childhood.*3,4

The takeaway

FloraMend Prime Probiotic is dairy free, soy free, and gluten free. Like all Thorne products, it is made with the highest quality and purest possible ingredients. Whether you are looking for weight management support or just a way to support and promote good gut health in general, it’s the probiotic you can count on.*

References

  1. Kadooka Y, Sato M, Imaizumi K, et al. Regulation of abdominal adiposity by probiotics (Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055) in adults with obese tendencies in a randomized controlled trial. Eur J Clin Nutr 2010;64(6):636-643.
  2. Perez-Conesa D, Lopez G, Abellan P, Ros G. Bioavailability of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus in rats fed probiotic, prebiotic and synbiotic powder follow-up infant formulas and their effect on physiological and nutritional parameters. J Sci Food Agric 2006;86:2327-2336.
  3. Santacruz A, Marcos A, Warnberg J, et al. Interplay between weight loss and gut microbiota composition in overweight adolescents. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2009;17(10):1906-1915.
  4. Kalliomäki M, Collado M, Salminen S, Isolauri E. Early differences in fecal microbiota composi­tion in children may predict overweight. Am J Clin Nutr 2008;87(3):534-538.