Losing weight is tough. That’s no secret.
As modern life leaves us more sedentary and food gets more convenient, weight gain continues to be an issue. Fortunately, science has come a long way with understanding how to combat obesity, metabolic syndrome, and other weight-related issues.
If you’ve found yourself wondering how to lose weight, the good news is – you’re not alone.
Even better news? There’s something that can make your diet and exercise more effective. And it’s been within you this entire time – your gut bacteria.
You’ve probably heard of probiotics, foods that contribute to your gut microbiome.
But did you know prebiotics exist? And that they might be an even better weight loss solution?
In case you haven’t, read on to learn more and discover the best prebiotic for weight loss.
Table of Contents
What are prebiotics?
Deep within your gut resides an entire microbiome. A whole host of bacteria (the good kind, don’t worry) living off of the nutrition you provide.
In return, these bacteria offer digestive assistance, fight depression and mood decline, and even regulate weight.
Think of prebiotics like direct nutrition for gut bacteria. As fibrous supplements, they’re metabolized by your microbiome.
When your little bugs snack on these fibers, it provides a healthy environment for multiplication. In a sense, more prebiotics means more probiotics.
Why is this important for weight loss?
An unhealthy microbiome has been associated with diabetes, mood disorders, impaired function, cognitive fog, and more.
In the obvious sense, better digestion = better absorption of nutrients that promote healthy living.
But don’t count out their secondary benefits. Better mood means less late night snacking when we’ve had a hard day.
Improved motivation and cognition might mean choosing the gym over happy hour.
First up – a brief science behind weight loss
Everybody is different. Let’s get that out of the way.
We all have different nutritional needs and lifestyles, and there’s no “one-size-fits-all” solution. In order to lose weight, specifically fat, however, there are a few basic guidelines.
First and foremost, you need to be in a caloric deficit.
Expend more energy than you take in, and your body will rely on stored energy to exist. The longer you do this, the more weight you lose. It’s really that simple. For proof, look no further than the guy who lost almost 60 lbs by eating only 2,000 calories of McDonald’s daily.
Unfortunately, that’s not exactly a healthy way to go about things (see this teenage boy who went blind from a diet of fries and white bread). Plus, it’s not easy.
Being on a caloric deficit means being hungry a lot.
Therefore, health experts recommend regular exercise using large muscle groups to elevate energy expenditure. Follow a diet that manages insulin and cortisol levels, and use metabolic efficiency to your advantage. In order to do that, you need to be able to appropriately digest lean proteins, good fats, and healthy carbs.
These nutrients keep insulin spikes to a minimum, allowing you to utilize energy for exercise and lay down new muscle. With more muscle, you get more mitochondria – the very cellular structures that break down fats.
In short, healthy weight loss is a complicated process that should primarily focus on diet and exercise.
However, your gut health does play a role. It can make or break the quality of your diet by literally determining what gets digested.
And it can elevate your workouts by affecting mood and energy level. Let’s take a closer look.
How do prebiotics help weight loss?
While the microbiome’s role is yet to be fully illuminated, multiple studies exist confirming the link between gut bacteria and weight loss. Take this one, for example, that shows those whose gut bacteria metabolizes carbs efficiently provide more usable energy.
Normally, that’s a good thing – when you’re using that energy. If you’re not exercising and are left with a bunch of excess fuel, it has to be stored somewhere.
In another study from the journal Nature Reviews Endocrinology, researchers confirm that the classes and species of bacteria can either benefit or adversely affect obesity disorders.
More specifically, one of the premier researchers on the intersection between gut bacteria and obesity concluded that a diverse microbiology was the key to weight loss.
It’s even important from a young age – daily fertilization of the gut microbiome slowed weight gain more than two-fold over the course of a year.
Outside of their effects on gut bacteria, soluble fibers slow gastric emptying. As such, they contribute to “feeling full” for longer. Lowered appetite is one of the leading factors behind consistent weight loss, as eating in a deficit is easier said than done.
Ultimately, it’s wise to take prebiotics to help mitigate hunger and prolong your results.
What should you look for in a prebiotic supplement?
First and foremost, every supplement you purchase should undergo rigorous testing. As supplements aren’t governed by the FDA, they run the risk of a) containing dangerous substances or b) not doing what they claim.
Fortunately, third-party labs exist for this very reason. Without any bias, they’re free to confirm or deny the claims.
As such, the best prebiotics are third-party tested for quality.
In regards to the prebiotics themselves, you’ll want to pick between fructooligosaccharides or inulin – both soluble fibers from chicory root.
Since they’re pulled from actual food, they’re your best bet at achieving the desired outcome. Your body was designed to metabolize food, not chemicals.
More importantly, however, these two prebiotics are able to pass through your stomach unharmed.
If this seems bad, think again. Stomach acid kind of ruins the party. By reaching your intestines in their true form, theyble to fully interact with some of the most important bacteria in your gut.
While research continues to emerge on the benefits of a healthy microbiome, we know one thing for sure – a balanced diet and regular exercise is key. It won’t matter how great your gut bacteria are fed if you’re wasting it on trans fats and sugars.
Good prebiotics at least introduce fiber, but they can’t do the job on their own. Fuel your gut with prebiotics AND good nutrition, and you’ll be one step closer to weight loss.
With so many supplements on the market, how can you be sure your prebiotic actually works? We’ve taken a look at lots of prebiotics and come up with our top choice for weight loss – Performance Lab Prebiotic.
The Best Prebiotic for Weight Loss:
Performance Lab Prebiotic
As an organization, Performance Lab has a long history of providing healthy, effective supplements. Almost every single product they offer is vegan, caffeine-free, additive-free, gluten-free, non-GMO, and more. Quality is their promise, and their prebiotic is no exception.
What is it, anyway?
Performance Lab Prebiotic recreates the very ingredients found in food by growing them within microorganisms. Therefore, your body doesn’t recognize it as a supplement. Your gut bacteria will respond to these prebiotics with the same vigor as they would to real food.
The ingredients
Performance Lab Prebiotic features fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and inulin, the two most effective prebiotics out there. Their blend combines a short chain molecule with a long chain version, meeting the needs of gut bacteria from all angles.
This potent inulin-FOS combo bypasses digestion within the stomach, and targets the Bifidobacterium and Lactobacilli within your large intestine. You might be surprised, but a ton of nutrient absorption occurs within your intestines exclusively. Therefore, products that nourish this area come at a premium for weight loss.
Where go I get it? How to buy Performance Lab Prebiotic
You’d think something this vital to weight control would cost an arm and a leg. Au contraire. You can buy Performance Lab Prebiotic for just $35 a bottle, which comes with a month’s worth of 30 capsules.
Try getting personal training for anywhere near that cheap.
What’s the catch?
Surprisingly, there isn’t one. That’s what’s great about Performance Lab.
They’re able to price their products at a slight (I mean, slight) premium in order to deliver you the best quality. It’s more important that their products work, which is rare in the supplement industry. The only small catch, I suppose, is that you won’t lose weight simply by taking a pill.
You still have to apply discipline in diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes. Prebiotics just make your efforts more effective.
Final thoughts
Even though prebiotics may be the lesser-known cousin of probiotics, consuming fiber is a long-understood method of weight maintenance. Taking supplemental prebiotics from Performance Lab can positively influence your gut bacteria and take back control of your nutrition.
Despite tough competition, Performance Lab Prebiotic emerged the victor. Their new-age methods of encapsulating real food provides the perfect weight loss solution.
If you’re ready to accelerate your progress, consider buying a prebiotic. As It might make all of the difference.
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