It is well known that diet and exercise are the major components of weight loss. However, even if you try your best to eat healthy and work out, there is another key factor to take into consideration: your gut health. The good bacteria, known as flora, inside your digestive system can greatly alter your ability to lose weight and maintain your weight-loss goals.
Gut bacteria
The microscopic bacteria known as
microbiota located in your mouth and large intestines aren't just
residents who aren't paying rent. These tiny organisms help the human
body break down food. Which bacteria live inside your body is largely
attributed to genes and environment. Your inner biome is unique when you
enter the world on the day you are born and then everything you eat and
do after that adds new factors.
Kefir is full of live, active cultures that help the digestive system.Microbiota and weight
A study published in the journal Science focused on the differences in the microbiota of twins.
Because these individuals started life with the same digestive
bacteria, their environments and lifestyles affected each person's
weight. One of each pair of twins was thin while the other was obese.
The scientists studied the gut bacteria of the various twins by
implanting samples of their fecal microbiota into mice. The animals'
body weights, metabolisms and makeups changed after five days of
exposure to the bacteria. The mice who received microbiota from the
obese twins had a higher body mass and amount of fat than the ones who
received implants from the lean twins. The skinny subjects were better
able to ferment short-chain fatty acids and more slowly metabolized
branched-chain amino acids. Interestingly, when one of each pair of
mice was placed in a cage to live together, the one who received
microbiota from the obese twin was less likely to show the
characteristics of higher fat and weight.
What does this mean for you?
The first step to weight loss is choosing a diet that works for you. The Food Lovers Fat Loss
program promotes a faster metabolism through education. With this
system, you'll learn how to boost your metabolism by making each meal
into a fat-loss plate, using the right combination of fast and slow
carbs and protein for optimal fat-burning.
"The first step to weight loss is choosing a diet."
Instead of simply eating pre-packaged meals like conventional diet programs, Food Lovers offers users the opportunity to learn how to incorporate simple fat-burning strategies into their lifestyle, allowing them to reach their weight-loss goals and maintain them without suffering or feeling deprived. Plus, you can still enjoy your favorite treats and comfort foods as Food Lovers shows you how to actually use the foods you love to help you lose weight.
Justin Sonnenburg, Ph.D., an assistant professor of microbiology and immunology at Stanford University told Fitness that adding fiber to your diet can help diversify your gut microbes. High fiber foods include:
- Whole wheat pasta.
- Raspberries.
- Apples.
- Pears.
- Barley.
- Oats.
- Peas.
- Lentils.
- Black beans.
- Artichoke.
- Broccoli.
You can also look for foods that offer live cultures. Kefir and low-fat, low-sugar yogurt are great options. These dairy products are teeming with bacteria that help your gut digest food for all it's worth. Read the label and look for "contains active cultures" to get the best bacteria for your body. Also be careful to note how much sugar is in these products as some varieties contain a lot of the sweet stuff to add flavor. Both yogurt and kefir can be found in plain or fruit flavors so you're sure to find one you enjoy.
Finally, eat a variety of foods. If you dine on the same thing day after day, you're missing out on vital nutrients found in the foods you're not eating. While it's great to finish up leftovers, once they're gone, move on to something new. Check out the Food Lovers Fat Loss program to learn how to create metabolism-boosting fat-loss plates from all your favorite foods.
