Many of us have been conditioned over the years to contemplate two keys to successful weight loss: diet and exercise. What if another component was equally important?

The latest research has revealed another aspect of weight loss most of us have never considered: gut health.

If you have ever tried to change your lifestyle to include healthier foods and more exercise, yet found disappointing results on the scale, there may be something that you are missing: healthy bacteria in your gut.

There is mounting evidence to show that the gut bacteria in healthy weight people are different than the bacteria found in obese people. In fact, there is actually lean-bacteria and obese-bacteria. Researchers found human twins where one was obese and the other lean.

They then transferred gut bacteria from these twins into mice to see what would happen. The mice with bacteria from fat twins grew fat; those that got bacteria from lean twins stayed lean.

This is fascinating evidence that suggests that gut bacteria can play a large role in our body weight. The question then becomes: “Can you change your gut bacteria?”

Yes, and it doesn't take as long as you think! Studies show that a diet rich in fiber from fruits and vegetables as well as the right probiotic supplement can cause improvements in the intestinal microflora in less than a week. It's also important to remember that antibiotics and sugar (among other things) will kill the healthy bacteria in your body.

So the next time you are counting calories or putting in an extra mile on the treadmill, remember the importance of maintaining good gut health as well – and take a quality probiotic.

Charity Lighten, B.S., M.S.
Silver Fern™ Brand Chief Nutritionist

P.S. Be sure to download your free copy of the Elevated Probiotic Weight Loss Guide to learn how to make any diet easier in just a few easy steps. 

P.P.S. To learn more about the role gut bacteria play in weight loss, be sure to watch the recorded webinar below with Microbiologist Kiran Kirshnan. You'll never think about dieting the same way again.