Optimizing your gut bacteria with probiotic supplementation may be one of the most profound ways to improve your Immune Function and achieve Weight Loss.

About 80 percent of your immune cells live in your digestive tract. The digestive system, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, is the body’s energy center for longevity, vitality, and day to day activities. With that in mind, it is important to understand the relationship between gut health, the immune system function and weight loss.

The friendly bacteria in your digestive tract converts the food that you eat into primary sources of energy. If “friendly” bacteria are not at optimal levels, food is not broken down effectively and the body goes into a more “reactive” like state of functioning. Then the immune system must work harder to distinguish non-harmful antigens from pathogens. This can result in feeling bloated, belching, increased gas, itchy or blotchy skin, a runny nose, and/or have a feeling of overall tiredness. This may be experienced after eating a meal and/or certain foods. If the body’s energy is continually being spent in a “stress-reactive mode”, less energy is used to help the body lose weight.

Simply put, if the body is in a state of balance, a healthy weight is more achievable!

There is some discussion in scientific research as to the relationship between probiotic supplementation and weight loss. In the 2010 study published in the Journal of Microbiology, scientists discovered that a specially-engineered strain of probiotics helped influence metabolism and beneficially alter body fat composition in a group of mice. Designed specifically for the study, the Lactobacillus strain contained conjugated linoleic acid – a fatty acid previously found to decrease body fat in humans. According to the study’s authors, these findings suggest that probiotic supplementation can help in preventing obesity.

Although yet inconclusive and research continues, I suggest taking a probiotic supplement today!

Simple sources of probiotics include: fermented vegetables, probiotic supplement, plain yogurt, keifer. miso, and kim chee. Probiotic supplementation in pill form can also be purchased at your local store.

Emily Farish (L.Ac., Dipl. Oriental Medicine, NCCAOM and NCBTMB certified) is Atmanjai’s Resident Integrative Medical Practitioner. Her passion is healing – Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Herbal Treatments. Emily can be contacted for consultations at Atmanjai.