Probiotics After Bariatric Surgery

When we think of bacteria, we usually associate these microorganisms with germs that make us sick. We don't immediately think of probiotics, a type of bacteria that can support our health instead of making us sick. Probiotics are specific strains of bacteria that are healthy and important for our bodies. We all host billions of probiotic bacteria in our digestive system (and even on our skin) that play very important roles in human health. But what in particular makes probiotics beneficial after bariatric surgery?

Why Probiotics Are Important

To begin, we must understand what probiotics do in our bodies. Probiotics, also known as "good bacteria" exist in balance with "bad bacteria." This balance is very important; if there aren't enough of the good guys, the bad bacteria can take over and spread through the digestive system. Other benefits of probiotics include:¹

• Preventing and treating diarrhea
• Improving mental health
• Lowering LDL cholesterol
• Relieving allergies and eczema
• Helping with digestive disorders like IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease)
• Boosting the immune system
• Aiding in weight management

How Colonies Are Impacted

The balance and strength of your own bacteria can be altered by a number of factors including stress, diet, and certain medications, especially antibiotics. After bariatric surgery, the colonies of good bacteria can be significantly reduced. This clears the way for bad bacteria to take over. Restoring balance to the digestive system can both treat bacterial overgrowth and improve bariatric outcomes. In a study from the Stanford University School of Medicine, researchers found that Roux-en-Y gastric bypass patients who took a probiotic after surgery tended to lose more weight than those that did not take a probiotic supplement.²

Sources of Probiotics

There are many ways to get probiotics, both from food and supplements. Good food sources include fermented dairy like yogurt and Kefir or fermented foods like pickled vegetables, tempeh, miso, kimchi, and sauerkraut.¹ When looking for a supplement, there are a few key guidelines to ensure you are taking an effective, high-quality product: 

• Colony Forming Unit (CFU) count should be at least 1 billion. 
• Look for a guarantee of CFUs through expiration. 
• Check to see if your probiotic includes a prebiotic, which is the fiber probiotics need to survive, like Celebrate's Balance Probiotic with Prebiotic Dietary Supplements. 
• Lastly, look for a diversity of strains included for maximum benefit. Species to keep an eye out for include Lactobacillus acidophilus La-14, Bifidobacterium longum BB536, Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, and Lactobacillus gasseri Lg-36.

Resources:

1. Brown, M., PhD, RD. (2016, August 23). 8 Health Benefits of Probiotics. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/8-health-benefits-of-probiotics
2. Robinson, L., MS, RD. When to Use Probiotics With Weight Loss Surgery. (n.d.). 

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