Probiotics and Weight Control

A research article recently reported a link between the different types of bacteria that predominate in the intestines of thin people versus those that are obese. It seems the kind of foods consumed by those who are obese generates a different subset of bacteria than is found in the bacteria formed by the diets of those who are thin, or at least different ones common to both predominate. A study was undertaken to see if the obese consumed the same "thin" type bacteria they would reduce weight. And they did, well at least in women but not in men. The loss in weight over 24 weeks was almost double when taking this particular bacteria. The bacteria used was from Nestle, one used to make yogurt for Europe but not in USA, called Lactobacillus Rhamnosus CGMCC1.3724. ref Unfortunately, all probiotics with the same name may not generate identical results. Research has found there are some differences between the same name strains of different Brands, thus the need for the code that follows the name. The code tells this strain has been tested for effectiveness and is registered. article

This is not the first time this link has been found. The type of bacteria abundant in obese people are generally from the phylum called Firmicutes. The amount of Firmicute type bacteria is somewhat related to weight gain or loss.

The scientific thinking has to do with a few concepts like the ability of additional firmicute bacteria to increase the number of calories from the digestion of certain hard to digest foods. Another concept under investigation concerns pro-inflammatory actions versus anti-inflammatory. And lastly by controlling or stimulating appetite from Leptin levels, ref  the appetite regulating hormone that dieting sets off the wrong way.

ON LEPTIN

This hormone, often called the fat hormone, was studied by large Pharmaceutical companies hoping to find a miracle weight loss pill. Leptin produced by fat cells tells the brain that there is adequate energy reserves in the body and no need to stimulate appetite and store more fat. Giving leptin to obese animals lead to reduced fat levels. When a diet or starvation condition begins, leptin levels go down and this signals the brain to increase appetite. The Pharmaceutical companies gave Leptin to obese people on a diet to reduce this appetite increase and fat storage effect. But, to the amazement of all, this plan did not work. It seemed some obese people already had high levels of Leptin. This unexpected finding lead to the discovery of a condition called Leptin resistance. Leptin at high levels should keep the appetite under control and fat storage low.  ref  The obese body simply was not hearing the Leptin message and thus the brain kept telling the body to build more fat cells and to increase leptin production even more. ref Similar and related to insulin's effect on glucose uptake.

The hormones Adiponectin and Ghrelin are also involved with Leptin as weight regulators. This aspect will get their own article soon.