KUALA LUMPUR – There is growing interest in using probiotics – which are supplements containing beneficial live microorganisms or bacteria meant to enhance ‘good’ bacteria levels within the body – as part of weight loss strategies.
However, do these supplements, readily accessible online as capsules or powders and heavily advertised on social media platforms, genuinely assist with shedding pounds?
Dr Deborah Chew Chia Hsin, a consultant gastroenterologist and hepatologist at Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz (HCTM) UKM, stated that although probiotics have an impact on gut microbiota—which is involved in metabolic processes and fat breakdown—their effectiveness for weight reduction remains unconfirmed.
She mentioned that research indicates people dealing with extra weight, obesity, and diabetes frequently encounter a situation referred to as gut dysbiosis, characterized by an absence of good gut microbiota. This scenario typically involves a greater proportion of detrimental bacteria such as Firmicutes, whereas helpful microbes like Bacteroides are found in smaller quantities.
Overall, a healthy digestive system should contain a greater amount of advantageous microbes compared to detrimental ones.
“But the question persists: does this disparity in gut bacteria trigger obesity, or does obesity result in an alteration of the bacterial balance in the gut? Researchers continue to debate this point,” she noted.
Dr. Chew mentioned that various research efforts have examined how probiotics can play a part in tackling obesity and promoting weight reduction; however, these findings have not always aligned. Certain investigations concluded that probiotic supplements did not yield substantial advantages, whereas some indicated modest to reasonable improvements in achieving weight loss goals.
She mentioned that probiotics work effectively only if they include the appropriate bacterial strains like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, along with proper storage conditions.
“It’s crucial to keep in mind that probiotics include living bacteria, which might perish if kept at temperatures higher than 25°C. Should this occur, people using probiotics could fail to gain the anticipated advantages,” she stated, stressing the significance of adhering to the suggested serving size to prevent issues such as bloating.
In the meantime, Jazlina Syahrul, a dietitian from Universiti Putra Malaysia, stated that even though probiotics may help boost metabolism and maintain a balanced gut microbiome, they should not be considered the main approach or an easy fix for losing weight.
She mentioned that although certain studies indicate a connection between gut microbiota and aspects such as metabolism, hunger levels, and fat storage—suggesting that keeping a healthy level of beneficial bacteria in the digestive system might aid in shedding pounds—more comprehensive investigations are necessary to validate the efficacy of probiotics for these purposes.
“In general, probiotics might aid in shedding pounds, yet their impact is modest and gradual when contrasted with changes in lifestyle such as eating habits and physical activity. Although initial findings show promise, probiotics aren’t a ‘miracle cure’ for losing weight. Instead, they act more as supplementary assistance rather than an alternative to maintaining a healthy diet and regular workout routine,” she explained.
Jazlina likewise suggested that people should assess various elements like caloric consumption, dietary habits, workout enhancement, and adequate rest if their attempts at losing weight haven’t borne fruit.
“They could be taking in hidden calories or adhering to an excessively strict diet… or perhaps not getting enough sleep,” she mentioned. – BERNAMA