Probiotics and Weight Management

Probiotics are friendly bacteria found in foods like yogurt, kimchi, and kombucha, or taken as supplements. They help keep your gut healthy, which plays an important role in managing your weight. A balanced gut microbiome can help reduce bloating, improve digestion, and may even influence how hungry or full you feel.

Probiotics are defined by the WHO as live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. In the context of weight management, specific strains — particularly Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Bifidobacterium species — have demonstrated modest but statistically significant effects on body weight, BMI, and fat mass in meta-analyses. Proposed mechanisms include modulation of gut microbiota composition, increased short-chain fatty acid production, reduced intestinal permeability and endotoxaemia (metabolic endotoxaemia), and altered expression of genes involved in fatty acid oxidation.

While probiotics alone are not a weight-loss solution, they can complement a comprehensive weight management programme by improving gut health and metabolic function. At Accord Medical, Dr. Joseph Wang can help you understand how gut health fits into your personalised weight management plan.