Unintended weight gain can be problematic for many people, especially as metabolism slows with age. If you’re not careful, it’s easy to add pounds every year until you’re faced with the need to lose a significant amount of weight in a short period of time. 

How Weight Gain Sneaks Up On Us

There are multiple reasons why weight gain is easier than ever, but here are four of the most common.

Unhealthy Diets

From processed foods to drive-thru windows, a lot of our meals are eaten on the go. The immediate consequences of this kind of diet are straightforward: too much salt, too much sugar, and unhealthy fats. The long-term effects are worse, including excessive weight gain, elevated blood pressure, and unhealthy cholesterol levels. 

Sedentary Lifestyles

More than ever, work happens from behind a computer screen. After eight or more hours of sitting down, many of the ways we relax — from binging a new series on Netflix to scrolling social media — are equally sedentary. Chances to get up and move our bodies are limited, and when we do have the time, we may not feel like it (thanks to the reasons below).

Stress

Although stress makes nearly everything more difficult, it can allow you to gain weight with ease. That’s because eating your emotions is a real thing that happens. Job security, relationships, financial stability, and family can all contribute to the stress you feel. It also makes late-night binges, sugary snacks, and empty calories from alcohol and soft drinks more appealing. 

Poor Sleep

A good night’s sleep isn’t always guaranteed, but the impact of multiple nights of restful or inadequate sleep can do serious damage to your ability to maintain a healthy weight. Current studies indicate that only one in seven Americans wake up each morning feeling refreshed and energized. Without a good night’s sleep, being active feels impossible.

How Probiotics Can Help Support Weight Loss

Because these obstacles exist — and since overcoming each one may be a process — it’s good to know that probiotics can help. Here are ten tried and tested ways probiotics improve your gut health while supporting weight loss.

1. Reduced Hunger

Frequently, late-night cravings, in-between meal snack sessions, and around-the-clock hunger have a lot to do with an imbalance in your gut health. Probiotics regulate this balance, helping you feel satisfied after you eat, and minimizing those cravings.

2. Increased Energy

An unhealthy gut leaves you feeling lethargic and unmotivated. When your gut is healthy, you feel like doing more. The good news is you have the energy to actually do it — thanks to all-natural probiotics. 

3. Decreased Inflammation

One sign of an unhealthy gut is inflammation. When the lining of your stomach is inflamed, nutrient absorption becomes difficult. Probiotics alleviate inflammation, allowing your body to begin healing itself — including losing unwanted pounds.

4. Fat Burning

As you age, your body’s ability to burn fat diminishes significantly. Much of this has to do with a slowing metabolism. Thankfully, some probiotic strains — specifically Lactobacillus gasseri — have been shown to increase your ability to burn fat. 

5. Less Stress

Probiotics can help reduce the stress you experience, making it easier to resist the urge to self-soothe with a half-gallon of your favorite ice cream. Studies indicate that probiotics work to improve serotonin and cortisol levels and better manage stress.

6. Improved Digestion

If you know anything about probiotics, it’s probably that they improve digestion. Better digestion means less constipation and an easier time using the food you eat to fuel your body — not wear it out or weigh it down.

7. A Healthier Immune System

When you’re consistently taking your daily probiotics, the ease with which you got sick previously — from common colds to longer bouts that were hard to shake — begins to shrink. When you feel your best, you’ll want to go for that walk or bike ride. 

8. Increased Vitamin Absorption

With a healthier gut lining, the vitamins and minerals your body needs to thrive will be absorbed all the easier. Weight loss is rarely one big thing. Instead, it’s the cumulative effect of lots of lifestyle changes that add up. Getting the vitamins you need helps.

9. Shorter Recovery Periods

Losing weight isn’t easy when you’re wiped out from a run or workout. With daily probiotic use, the time your body needs to recover will decrease. Certain strains, like Bacillus coagulans reduce exercise-induced muscle damage while increasing recovery.

10. Better Mental Health

Probiotics can help ease symptoms associated with anxiety and depression. As more research is done, we’re learning that gut health is linked to mental health. When your mood is lifted, it’s easier to take care of your body the way you deserve to.

The Bottom Line on Probiotics and Weight Loss

Weight loss is a challenge for most people, and achieving your personal health goals requires the help of multiple partners. Probiotics contribute in significant ways — from helping your body burn more fat to increasing energy.

 

At All Health Trends, we carry the brands our customers have counted on for years. Whether it’s Dr. Ohhira’s or Reg’Activ, or any of the other all-natural products we carry, you can know you’re getting the very best. 

You don’t have to wait until the New Year to make a weight loss resolution. Today can be the day, and probiotics can help you meet your goal. Remember: gut health is whole-body health. You deserve to feel your best. Are you ready?