If you are having gastric bypass surgery performed, a probiotics supplement may accelerate your weight loss and avoid vitamin B deficiency, according to a new study published in the Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery.
Probiotics are usually a type of bacteria that share similar traits with the microorganisms residing in the stomach. When they are consumed in high enough quantities, they can provide a benefit such as improving digestion and increasing general wellness. In the study performed by the Stanford University School of Medicine, 44 participants who had Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery were assigned to a control group and a probiotic group. After three months, the participants who were in the probiotics group and had taken a daily probiotics supplement had an average weight loss of 47.6 percent, compared with 38.5 percent from the control group. In addition, the probiotics group demonstrated significantly higher vitamin B-12 levels.
While probiotics are present in everyday food, such as yogurt, miso, and some juices and soy beverages, the study looked at the effects of a probiotic supplement in pill form on the weight loss and vitamin deficiency of the subjects. Unfortunately, the field of probiotics is still being explored, and more research is needed to truly understand their appropriate use and to appreciate all necessary safety concerns.
