'I'm a doctor - a healthy gut is key for counteracting obesity and lowering body weight'

Public Health nutritionist and advisor to PrecisionBiotics Dr Emma Derbyshire said the gut plays a huge role in how the body functions.

She said: “The gut-brain axis influences mood, cognition, immunity and many other aspects of psychological and physical well-being including body. It can also be negatively impacted by diet, lifestyle and other factors such as stress.

"The gut microbiota has now been found to be an important potential factor in the development of obesity.

“Research has found that probiotics may have the potential to help in those who are overweight or obese.

"In particular, the strains from the Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus genus have been found to be the most effective in lowering body weight."

The doctor explained the link between weight management and a healthy gut. This can be achieved by a varied diet high in fibre, fruits and vegetables. Supplements can also be useful in gut health.

Dr Derbyshire discussed the specific probiotics species that can reduce the risk of weight gain.

"Bifidobacterium BB-12™ (BB-12), which is within PrecisionBiotics® Daily Good Bacteria Gut Health supplement, is a rigorously studied probiotics species that has been found improve the human gut microbiota," she continued.

"Research shows that BB-12 can reduce weight gain associated with a high-fat diet.

"High-fat diets can lead to disruptions in the balance of healthy gut microbiota. In other trials, BB-12 was found to protect against obesity by protecting the gut microbiota community structure to counteract obesity by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria and by decreasing the growth of harmful bacteria.

"As time progressed in the BB-12 group the beneficial bacteria were enriched. Overall, BB-12 helped maintain gut microbiota and prevent obesity through the balance of gut microbiota.

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"It also has multiple mechanisms including inhibiting unhelpful bacteria, and supporting the gut barrier and immune interactions."

A 2009 study published in the National Library of Medicine seconded the link between weight loss and gut health.

It said those who consumed 16 grams of prebiotics per day had higher levels of the hormones GLP-1 and PYY, which make you feel fuller. This suggests gut bacteria can produce chemicals that regulate the appetite, helping dieters to feel full and less likely to overeat.

Diet, exercise and genetics are also key when it comes to weight. A doctor has named two foods to "eliminate" for weight loss as they "quickly turn to fat".