THE ROLE OF GUT BACTERIA IN WEIGHT LOSS
The process of losing weight may sometimes feel like a battle. In our modern society, the number one enemy of weight loss (a.k.a., unhealthy food) seems to be stationed at every corner. In many American 'battle fields' you can't walk or drive a mile without seeing a fast food restaurant whose main mission is to put a bulls-eye directly on your taste buds. In a war zone like this, you need all of the weapons you can get to win weight loss battles and eventually the war. One such weapon may seem highly unlikely, but it may play a very strategic role in helping you keep your weight in check for good. This weapon is gut bacteria. Bacteria? Isn't that what makes us sick? In reality, there are over 1,000 different kinds of bacteria in the stomach, some of them bad (which usually get the lion's share of attention) and some that are good. The good bacteria in your gut work to keep your body in balance against the bad bacteria. In addition to promoting overall good health, the good bacteria work to keep your digestive system healthy, which may have a direct impact on your ability to shed excess pounds and maintain a healthy weight. Let's talk about the bad bacteria first.?? These microbes, or bugs, live up to their reputation by causing cravings for unhealthy foods that trigger inflammation. Research has found that some bad bacteria send signals to the brain that influence our appetite and mood. This may cause feelings of anxiety until we can alleviate them by giving into the urge to indulge in sugary and fatty foods. . The good news is, you can recruit gut bacteria to help you fight weight gain. Probiotics are a kind of good bacteria that fight off the bad bacteria in the...
