The rise in obesity and type 2 diabetes has fueled interest in alternative treatments, with gut health taking center stage. With 42.4% of adults in the United States having obesity, and over 1 billion people affected worldwide, the search for effective interventions is critical. The International Diabetes Federation estimates that 537 million adults worldwide have diabetes, and this number is predicted to increase to 643 million by 2030 and 783 million by 2045. This article delves into the science behind GLP-1 probiotics, examining their potential role in weight loss and glucose control, while also addressing the safety and efficacy concerns surrounding these supplements.
Understanding the Connection: Gut Health, GLP-1, and Weight Management
The gut microbiome, a complex ecosystem of microorganisms, plays a significant role in metabolic health. Decreasing levels of Akkermansia muciniphila, a bacterium found in large amounts in the colon, have been associated with obesity, diabetes, and other metabolic disorders. This connection has led to the development of probiotic products containing A. muciniphila, marketed for gut health and glucose control.
GLP-1 and Its Role in Weight Loss
GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Zepbound), have gained popularity for their effectiveness in weight loss and glucose control. Semaglutide works by mimicking a protein in your body called glucagon-like peptide 1, a.k.a. GLP-1. These medications work by mimicking the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) hormone, which regulates appetite and insulin secretion. They slow down the transit of food from the stomach to the gut, making you feel full. You also have receptors in your brain that modulate your hunger and metabolism. Ozempic and other GLP-1s signal to those receptors, making you feel less hungry.
Probiotics and GLP-1 Production: A Closer Look
"Natural" GLP-1 supplements contain a range of ingredients that companies claim will help stimulate GLP-1 production in your body. The question is, can probiotics boost GLP-1 production and offer similar benefits? Research suggests that certain probiotics may influence appetite and energy usage via the production of acetate, propionate, and butyrate, which are short-chain fatty acids. Butyrate binds to receptors in the gut mucosa and stimulates the release of GLP-1. However, experts remain skeptical about whether supplements can truly replicate the effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists.
Pendulum Glucose Control: A Specific Example
Pendulum is one company that has developed products containing A. muciniphila. Pendulum’s glucose control product restores the body’s ability to produce butyrate and restores the mucin lining of the gut. Their Glucose Control product is marketed as a medical food for type 2 diabetes management. It contains a proprietary, multistrain probiotic blend that contains A. muciniphila, Clostridium butyricum, Clostridium beijerinckii, Anaerobutyricum hallii, and Bifidobacterium infantis. Both products contain chicory inulin, oligofructose, and hypromellose (vegetarian capsule). It is designed to lower A1C, support gut health, lower glucose spikes, and enhance sugar metabolism.
Read also: Weight Loss Guide Andalusia, AL
Clinical Evidence for Pendulum Glucose Control
One small, short, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, proof-of-concept trial was conducted in people with type 2 diabetes. This 12-week, parallel study included 76 adults who were previously diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and being treated with metformin and/or a sulfonylurea. Participants were randomized to receive either placebo or one of two different active treatments twice daily with food. One treatment contained three strains and the other contained five strains of probiotics. The arm receiving the five-strain treatment showed a statistically significant reduction in the primary outcome of total glucose area under the curve (AUC) of −36 mg/dL/180 minutes (P = 0.05) when compared with placebo. For a secondary outcome of A1C, there was a nonsignificant reduction in both treatment arms (−0.2% in the three-strain arm [P = 0.4684] and −0.6% in the five-strain arm [P = 0.054]). While this study showed some benefit in reducing total glucose AUC, its short duration and small sample size limit its generalizability.
Limitations and Cautions
Despite the promising findings, there is insufficient evidence to show clear benefits of this product in people with type 2 diabetes in general. There are also no microvascular or microvascular outcome data available. There have been no other human trials with the five-strain blend. There is some very limited and inconsistent support in the literature for A. There are minimal data to support this product to the greater population of people with diabetes. Given the availability of validated therapies for diabetes with proven cardiovascular and renal benefits, this probiotic blend should not be used as a replacement. This caution is especially important for people with cardiovascular disease, heart failure, or chronic kidney disease who are taking prescription agents with proven outcomes for these conditions, as described and recommended in ADA guidelines.
Other "Natural" GLP-1 Supplements: What Does the Science Say?
Many dietary supplements claim to "complement" or "supercharge" the body’s levels of the gut hormone GLP-1. Ingredients popping up on GLP-1 supplement labels include everything from berberine to chromium to saffron extract, which have a minimal body of research supporting their effects on weight loss. These supplements are often marketed as "natural" alternatives to GLP-1 receptor agonists. However, experts caution that these products are often rebranded versions of older weight loss supplements with little scientific evidence to support their claims.
Concerns About Regulation and Safety
The FDA doesn’t regulate dietary supplements for safety or effectiveness before they hit the market, whether they’re a daily multivitamin or a post-workout protein powder. For that reason, the agency advises consulting a health care provider before adding any supplement to your regimen. The supplement industry is largely unregulated, making it difficult to know if what a company claims is in the bottle is actually accurate. Several popular herbal supplements have been linked to liver damage and other health issues. This lack of regulation affects the standardization and quality control of supplements, leading to variability in the purity and concentration of active ingredients in different products.
The Role of Probiotics in Weight Loss: A Broader Perspective
While the evidence for GLP-1 probiotic supplements is limited, research suggests that certain probiotic strains may contribute to weight loss and overall health. Probiotics are live microorganisms that have health benefits when eaten. They’re found in both supplements and fermented foods. Studies have found that probiotics may improve your immune function and digestive and heart health, among other benefits.
Read also: Beef jerky: A high-protein option for shedding pounds?
How Probiotics May Aid Weight Loss
Probiotics seem to influence appetite and energy usage via the production of acetate, propionate, and butyrate, which are short-chain fatty acids. Studies have found that certain probiotics may inhibit the absorption of dietary fat, decreasing inflammation and increasing the amount of fat excreted with feces. In other words, they make your body “harvest” fewer calories from the foods you eat. Certain bacteria, such as those from the Lactobacillus family, have been found to function in this way.
Probiotics may also fight obesity in other ways, including:
- Releasing appetite-regulating hormones: According to research, probiotics may help release the appetite-reducing hormones glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and peptide YY (PYY). Increased levels of these hormones may help you burn calories and fat.
- Increasing levels of fat-regulating proteins: Research has also found that probiotics may increase levels of the protein angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4). This may lead to decreased fat storage.
Specific Probiotic Strains and Their Effects
Several strains of probiotics in both the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium family have been shown to reduce weight.
- Lactobacillus gasseri: Researchers have found that Lactobacillus gasseri shows promising effects on weight loss in humans. The meta study found that Lactobacillus gasseri decreased body weight, BMI, waist circumference, body fat mass or fat percentage in those with overweight or obesity. It also decreased visceral fat.
- Lactobacillus curvatus and Lactobacillus plantarum: In one study, consuming products with Lactobacillus curvatus and Lactobacillus plantarum displayed a reduction in body weight, visceral fat mass, and waist circumference.
- Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis: One 2020 study found that Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis had a positive effect on weight management and reduced inflammation.
Preventing Weight Gain with Probiotics
Preventing unwanted weight gain in the first place may be even more valuable in avoiding obesity. In one study, taking a probiotic formulation called VSL#3 prevented weight gain and insulin resistance in mice.
The Importance of a Holistic Approach
While probiotics may offer some benefits for weight management, they are not a magic bullet. Experts emphasize the importance of a holistic approach that includes a healthy diet, regular exercise, and, when appropriate, evidence-based medical treatments. “There’s no simple dietary fix that’s going to do what these drugs do in a short amount of time,” says Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, a cardiologist and the director of Tufts University’s Food Is Medicine Institute.
Read also: Inspiring Health Transformation
Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations
Eating more protein increases natural GLP-1 production. He recommends 1.2 to 1.5 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day, or about 30 to 35 grams of protein per meal. Focus on healthy fats and high-fiber foods, which have been shown to trigger GLP-1 production.