The interrelation between the gut bacteria and losing weight.

There is a symbiotic relationship between the host and the bacteria which leads to weight gain or weight loss.

The average human body contains 37.2 trillion cells and 10 times as many microbes. We are host to somewhere between 300-1000 different species of bacteria.

Function of gut bacteria:

• Aids in digestion of food
• Protects the body from invading organisms
• Strengthens immune system
• Creates neurotransmitters
• Create and synthesize vitamins
• Influence our mood and temperament

 Gut bacteria and weight loss

A recent study by Michael Edwards, 2014 showed a direct correlation between a high or low level of bacterium in the gut and the subjects' weight. A high level of bacterium and a high level of diversity were linked to a healthy weight, whereas overweight individuals show a correlation to a much lower number of bacterium in the gut.

                                                                                           

To increase health inducing and weight reducing bacterium in the gut

• Focus on a diet rich in prebiotics for e.g. raw vegetables and fruit. Prebiotics provides the healthy bacterium in our gut with the food it needs to thrive.
• Probiotics or Fermented foods such as kombucha, sauerkraut, kimchi, raw or organic apple cider vinegar etc help to increase healthy bacterium in the gut.