Probiotics May Help Women to Reduce Weight After Pregnancy

June 3rd, 2009

Probiotic supplements during the first trimester of pregnancy may help women lose weight after the infant’s birth, as per new findings presented at the European Congress on Obesity.

Researchers report that supplements containing Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium were associated with less central obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more or a waist circumference over 80 centimeters. Women were given the supplements during their first trimester of pregnancy and continued them until they stopped exclusive breastfeeding, up to six months.

Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer health benefits when consumed.

Previous research found that microbial populations in the gut are different between obese and lean people, and that when the obese people lost weight their microflora changed.

Sources: NutraIngredients.com May 7, 2009