GLP-1 has been hailed as a game-changer in diabetes and obesity management. Fueled by their weight-loss potential, GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic have experienced a surge in popularity, with many turning to them for weight reduction. Interestingly, GLP-1 is a hormone naturally produced in the gut after a meal. It has several important functions in the body, including: Insulin Regulation: This can help regulate blood sugar levels by prompting the pancreas to release insulin when blood sugar rises after eating. Delayed gastric emptying: GLP-1 slows down the rate at which food leaves the stomach and enters the small intestine. This...

A recent review found that probiotics can help improve metabolic health outcomes for adolescents. Conducted by researchers in China, the paper looked at the effect of probiotics on overweight and obese children for weight loss. Looking across four studies with 206 children, some participants were given probiotics, while others were given a placebo.     The Gut-Metabolic Connection The gut plays a crucial role in metabolic health, affecting digestion and nutrient absorption. It also impacts hormone and neurotransmitter production, influencing metabolism, satiety, cravings and eating habits. The paper found that probiotics might assist in lowering levels of certain substances in the...

Having trouble managing your sugar cravings? Ongoing sugar cravings could point to gut microbiome imbalance. Here are five signs that could connect your sugar cravings to your gut health. Struggling with regularity? Irregular bowels might be a sign your gut could be struggling to digestand retain nutrients. This can result in your body craving sugar as a quick energy source. Growing list of food intolerances? If the list of foods you can tolerate is shrinking rapidly, this could be a sign of inflammation in your gut. This could lead to the brain releasing chemicals that might trigger cravings for sugary foods...

Growing evidence is revealing a link between gut health and cardiovascular wellbeing. A recent 2023 review explored how the trillions of microbes residing in the gut impact heart health. It found that gut bacteria play a crucial role in regulating cholesterol levels, inflammation, and blood pressure – all key risk factors for heart disease. Getting To The Heart of It Regulating Cholesterol Levels- Gut bacteria have the potential to influence cholesterol production and absorption. They can potentially help to decrease LDL cholesterol levels (an indicator of high cholesterol) and raise HDL cholesterol levels (an indicator of healthy cholesterol). Managing Inflamation-  The gut microbiome plays...