Win the battle of the bulge with probiotics and green tea

Thursday, September 06, 2012 by: Carolanne Wright
Tags: belly fat, probiotics, green tea

(NaturalNews) With obesity reaching epidemic proportions, new ways to slim down are in demand. Instead of fad diets and strange drinks, try natural green tea and probiotics. Both are found to be exceptionally effective in helping individuals shed extra pounds and maintain healthful weight.

Several studies have established a clear connection between an imbalance in gut bacteria and excess weight. Researchers found that bifidobacteria levels were nearly double in healthy weight infants between the ages of 6 and 12 months compared with those who became overweight. This may explain why breast-fed babies, who tend to have thriving colonies of bifidobacteria in their gut, are at a lower risk for having weight problems later in life.

Two additional studies revealed that obese individuals have approximately 20 percent more firmicutes bacteria than slender people. Firmicutes work within the body to extract calories from sugars which are then deposited into fat cells.

For weight management, probiotics have been shown to be useful. In a 12 week clinical trial, participants consumed a fermented milk product that contained Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 probiotic strain. At the end of the study, subjects reduced their abdominal fat by 4.6 percent and subcutaneous fat by 3.3 percent - all without any lifestyle or dietary changes.

To help boost beneficial bacteria within the digestive system, consider using unpasteurized, fermented foods. Good sources include yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and tempeh. A wide variety of probiotics are available in supplemental form as well.

Compound within green tea supports weight loss

Catechins, a type of polyphenol antioxidant in green tea, have been found to increase metabolism and reduce body fat. Green tea also inhibits the enzyme catechol-O-methyltransferase which interferes with brain chemicals that regulate appetite. A Japanese study observed the effect of green tea on weight loss in 35 men. One group consumed oolong tea fortified with green tea extract containing 690 milligrams of catechins. The second group was given plain oolong tea. Overall diet and physical activity were similar for both groups throughout the study. At the end of three months, the men who consumed the green tea extract lost an average of 5.3 pounds with more substantial reductions in waist circumference, body mass index and total body fat than those in the second group.

To receive the full slimming benefit, it is generally recommended to consume at least four cups of green tea per day or use a concentrated extract. Stimulating effects can be avoided by choosing a decaffeinated variety of the tea.

Sources for this article include:

"Use Probiotics to Lose Weight and Treat Illness" Maddie Ellison, January 30, 2010, Natural News.com. Retrieved on July 24, 2012 from:
https://www.naturalnews.com/028058_probiotics_body_weight.html

"Green Tea for Weight Loss" Cathy Wong, March 1, 2012, About.com. Retrieved on July 24, 2012 from: http://altmedicine.about.com/od/greentea/a/green_tea_weight_loss.htm

About the author:
Carolanne believes if we want to see change in the world, we need to be the change. As a nutritionist, wellness coach and natural foods chef, she has encouraged others to embrace a healthy lifestyle of green living for over 13 years. Through her website www.Thrive-Living.net she looks forward to connecting with other like-minded people who share a similar vision.

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