Probiotics- Dr. Stephen Boyce talks about the benefits of taking a probiotic supplement

Probiotics help weight loss surgery patients

Chances are you’ve heard this word, but you might be wondering what exactly are probiotics and how do they help weight loss surgery patients?

Probiotics are live microorganisms that live in the human digestive system. They are sometimes referred to as the “good” bacteria because they are important in keeping the “bad” bacteria or “illness causing” bacteria under control. The digestive system naturally contains more than 500 types of bacteria.

Dr. Stephen Boyce, a board certified bariatric surgeon and the developer of Bari Life Bariatric Supplements recognizes the benefits of probiotics for weight loss surgery patients.

Benefits may include preventing diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome, lowering bad cholesterol while raising good cholesterol levels while supporting normal digestion. Major surgery (like weight loss surgery), stress, antibiotics, illness, and poor nutrition can deplete the body’s natural supply of probiotics.

Prevent Diarrhea
Yes, we all experience this unpleasant upset at some time or another, whether it’s after taking antibiotics or eating something that your digestive track isn’t used to. Studies suggest that taking probiotics make it less likely you’ll develop diarrhea, and, if you do get it, you may suffer through fewer episodes.

Reboot Digestion
Most of us experience digestive issues from time to time, often because we’re not eating enough fiber. In studies, probiotics have reduced bloating and increased the number of bowel movements.

Boost Heart Health
Evidence shows that taking probiotics lowers bad (LDL) and total cholesterol by reducing molecules linked to saturated fat. One study found that people who consumed a strain of probiotics found in dairy and meat lowered LDL by more than 12% and reduced overall cholesterol by 9%. Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States, so it’s critical to learn all the tools you can use to protect it.

Taking probiotics is believed to restore healthful bacteria after the digestive system has been disrupted.

“Current research tells us that prescribing probiotics for our bariatric patients after surgery can provide many benefits. I believe that probiotics significantly improves the health of my patients after surgery. I’ve seen the positive effects probiotics have on my patients”—Dr. Stephen Boyce

Probiotics can be found in foods like Greek yogurt, soft cheeses, sweet acidophilus milk, buttermilk, tempeh (a soybean-based patty often used in Indonesian dishes) and miso soup. Supplements generally contain a much more concentrated supply of probiotics, providing a few million to billions of active cultures per dose. For optimal health benefits it is important to use probiotic supplements that contain multiple species of lactobacillus, such as L. acidophilus or bifidobacteria, as strains of these probiotics have been shown to improve digestion and have an extensive safety record for use in the generally healthy population.

A study performed at Stanford University School of Medicine indicates that supplementing weight loss surgical patients with probiotics may be beneficial for maximizing weight loss. After three months, the participants who had taken a daily probiotic supplement had higher average weight loss and improved absorption of vitamin B12. Additionally, probiotics, particularly lactobacillus acidophilus, may help lactose digestion in lactose-intolerant individuals, a common problem for post bariatric patients.

Furthermore, Dr. Boyce reveals, “After researching probiotics, once again I found that the over the counter options for my patients were limited and expensive. Through Bari Life we were able to create a shelf stable multi-probiotic blend manufactured in the US by a GMP and TGA certified nutraceutical manufacturing company and offer this complete formula to our bariatric patients at a much more affordable price.  Bari life multi-probiotics contain eight different bacteria per capsule, totaling 15 billion CFU’s and only one capsule is needed daily to restore the normal balance of bacteria in the digestive system.”

Bari Life Bariatric Supplements also offers the only bariatric multivitamin formula that meets or exceeds the 2013 updated ASMBS vitamin supplement guidelines IN ONE BOTTLE.  Bari Life Bariatric Supplements’ goal is to provide high quality, complete and affordable products designed specifically for the weight loss surgical patient.

Dr. Boyce stresses, “The ASMBS guidelines are really important.  These guidelines were established by combining the most recent findings of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE), The Obesity Society (TOS), and the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS).”

To your health!
The Bari Life Team
Bari Life provides high quality bariatric vitamins that are clinically proven to help the post bariatric surgery patient.
Order Online Here www.barilife.com
Discover more on our Facebook Page, Twitter, and Pinterest