Maintaining a healthy weight can get increasingly challenging with age. Starting in the late 30s, the body undergoes changes such as slower basal metabolic rate and hormonal shifts, which can make losing weight more difficult. Weight loss drugs such as Wegovy, Ozempic and Mounjaro have made the news for their game-changing results. They work by mimicking the hormone GLP-1, which helps regulate blood sugar levels, slowing gastric emptying and reducing appetite. Interestingly, scientists in Hong Kong have recently discovered that the secret to weight loss may lie in the gut. Synbiotics—a combination of prebiotics and probiotics—could be a quicker, healthier route.
Faster Results
The study found that a combination of synbiotic supplementation and a fibre-rich diet was effective in reducing obesity and its related metabolic traits. It also identified a specific gut bacteria (Megamonas) linked to obesity markers was reduced. Their results showed that synbiotics could even lead to faster weight loss, with participants losing 5% of their body weight 1 month quicker than those on weight loss drugs like Ozempic. By comparison, trials of semaglutide, the main ingredient behind weight loss drugs— found that users lost a similar amount of body weight in 3 months, instead of 2.
The Gut Weight Reaction
The two-fold action of prebiotics and probiotics helps with weight loss by improving gut health. Prebiotics act as fuel for the beneficial bacteria (probiotics) in your gut, helping to build a healthy balance in the gut microbiome. A balanced gut microbiome can help regulate metabolism, reduce inflammation, and improve nutrient absorption. Nurturing a healthy balance of good bacteria in the gut, can help regulate hunger hormones and improve digestion, making it easier for the body to absorb nutrients and burn calories efficiently. Helping to reduce fat storage and promote weight loss in a natural way. Additionally, a healthy gut microbiome can help curb cravings and promote feelings of fullness, making it easier to stick to a healthy diet.
Start with your Gut
Trying to get your weight back on track? Nourishing the healthy bacteria in your gut can play a key role by boosting GLP-1, a hormone that helps control appetite. Naturally produced in the gut, GLP-1 not only regulates hunger but also plays a vital role in managing blood sugar levels, an important factor in both digestion and weight management. An easy way to boost GLP-1 production is to have a daily serving of P3 Gut Builder. This powerful triple-action postbiotic tonic is slow-fermented with a specialised blend of prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics to deliver beneficial metabolites straight to your gut. It is deliciously easy to enjoy daily as a health shot or can be added to water, juice and smoothies.
Effects of Synbiotic Supplementation on Metabolic Syndrome Traits and Gut Microbial Profile among Overweight and Obese Hong Kong Chinese Individuals: A Randomized Trial, Nutrients 2023, Published: 2 October 2023