Is There a Link Between Gut Health and Weight Loss?
Did you know? Your large intestine houses trillions of diverse microorganisms. They make up the ecosystem in your gut which plays a crucial role in your health and weight loss.
The gut microbiome performs a wide range of beneficial duties to your body. It helps control metabolism, satisfies hunger, and boosts your immune system. When gut bacteria is unbalanced or disrupted, it can lead to digestive problems or a condition known as dysbiosis.
But does the state of your gut health contribute to weight loss aside from have a Gastric Sleeve Surgery? The answer is not so simple. While it may be appealing to take weight loss supplements and go on strict diet regimens, there’s no quick fix to have a healthy gut.
However, don’t waive it off entirely just yet. Maintaining a healthy diet and sustainably working your way to lose weight is possible and something you can control.
Let’s learn more about it.
Table of Contents
Signs of an Unhealthy Gut
Before you could identify the link between gut health and weight loss, it’s important to understand signs of gut imbalance. Some of them include:
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Weight gain
- Bloating and gas
- Constant fatigue
A misaligned gut can lead up to several health issues that affect other parts of our body, like our brain, heart, immune system, and, of course, our weight.
If you’re worried about any symptomatic concerns or need professional consultation, contact a gut specialist Sydney today.
What part of the gut is responsible for weight loss?
There are two types of gut bacteria that contribute to lean body weight: the Christensenella minuta and Akkermansia muciniphila. These bacteria are found in slim individuals and are linked to preventing weight gain.
The Akkermansia bacteria is said to improve appetite and help regulate body fat stores. It also strengthens your intestinal barrier, which is good against obesity.
Christensenella is also a protective bacteria against obesity. You can boost the abundance of this bacteria by trying out various prebiotic foods in your diet plan.
In particular, here are the foods you can take to boost this bacteria:
- Fish oil
- Flaxseeds
- Rhubarb extract
- Cranberries
- Concord grapes
- Bamboo shoots
- Black tea
But when it comes to direct weight loss bacteria in our body, there are none that have been solidly proven as of yet. However, scientists are trying to investigate ways to manipulate the state of our gut to hasten and lead to weight loss.
How to change gut bacteria to lose weight?
According to the American Gut Project, people who eat plants of vibrant colours (orange pumpkins, purple carrots, red peppers, etc.) have a more colourful and diverse microbiota. This is good for overall health.
In the study, the people who ate 30 different plant food types had the greatest microbiota diversity since they contain different phytonutrients. These microorganisms help the body prevent inflammation and organ and gut damage. They also are rich in fibres that can promote a healthy ecosystem in the gut.
So if your usual diet rotates around the same food types, like chicken and carbs, you aren’t making your gut as healthy and as diverse as it can be. The fastest way to promote a healthy gut and avoid blood sugar levels from spiking is by changing your diet and eating the right foods and plants.
How to improve gut bacteria for weight loss?
Aside from diet, you may be wondering: are there other ways to encourage weight loss?
Short answer: Yes. And it’s exercise.
People who exercise regularly and at least 30 minutes a day have a more diverse microbiome than those who live a sedentary lifestyle. This results in lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels, as well as a decreased chance of inflammation, which adds up to overall cardiovascular health and deters potential pathogens.
Exercise also creates an environment where gut microbes release metabolites that produce energy from the food we eat. It doesn’t just train our muscles and strengthen them to consume more energy but it maintains our gut health as well.
Getting enough sleep, eating fruits and vegetables every day, and maintaining a healthy gut can convert to weight loss. However, how you take care of your gut is up to you since it’s something that only you can control.
Key takeaway
To answer the question “Is there a link between gut health and weight loss?”, you must first consider why you asked that in the first place. Perhaps you want to lose weight fast. Or you want to know the best regimens or diet pills that’ll guarantee you slimming down in a matter of weeks.
But the harsh truth is: there’s no quick way to lose weight. It’s a gradual, disciplined process that requires steady and consistent lifestyle switches. For one, you can start by eating a richer variety of colourful vegan-based foods. Another is to keep on exercising and moving.
Rest assured, by doing the aforementioned activities, you’ll encourage your body to reach the pinnacle of health in the long term. Or at the very least, tether exceedingly close to it.
But, through it all, your gut is unique to you and only you. If you want professional and expert advice curated to you and your body, consider visiting a gut health specialist today.
