Lactobacillus Gasseri Supplement - Restores Balance to Intestinal Flora

Lactobacillus gasseri is a probiotic strain in gastro-resistant capsules that restores the balance of intestinal microflora and helps with slimming and weight control.

What is Lactobacillus Gasseri?

Lactobacillus gasseri, a strain naturally present in human breast milk, is thus part of the group of micro-organisms that are essential for overall equilibrium. A recent discovery, however, has identified its potential in a completely different area - that of weight control. It represents a major new addition in a field where there is considerable cross-over between genetic and metabolic causes, low metabolic energy, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

Probiotics are living micro-organisms which, when consumed in sufficient quantities, produce systemic and digestive benefits. Among the many probiotic strains, the lactobacillus genus of bacteria is particularly well represented. Colonising the intestines and vagina, lactobacillus has various effects and in particular, can:

• Relieve irritable bowel syndrome.
• Restore the balance of microflora.
• Reduce various types of diarrhoea.
• Optimise the body’s natural immune function.
• Protect against the flu virus.
• Prevent colonisation of the gastric mucosa by Helicobacter pylori.

The fact that Lactobacillus gasseri is easy to take, totally safe, with benefits both for the digestive system and for weight control, makes it a ‘must-buy’ daily supplement. Alongside with the strain of Lactobacillus gasseri, other probiotic bacteria with protective effects are available to buy at Supersmart. They include the patented strain Bacillus subtilis, recognised for its immune-stimulant properties, and Lactobacillus reuteri, indicated for intestinal problems such as diarrhoea. As probiotics are particularly vulnerable to stomach acids, Lactobacillus gasseri comes in DR Caps™ - gastro-resistant capsules - to ensure optimal delivery of six billion micro-organisms a day.

What do studies show about Lactobacillus Gasseri?

Another study conducted on mice also demonstrated that consumption of L. gasseri not only reduced weight and body fat but also lowered blood glucose levels in animals with type 2 diabetes. The mice were divided into three groups - the first receiving a normal diet, the second a high-sucrose diet and the third the same high-sucrose diet but supplemented with Lactobacillus gasseri, for a period of 10 weeks. At the end of the study, it was shown that L. gasseri considerably reduced body weight and adipose tissue in the supplemented mice, and also had substantial ‘anti-diabetes type 2’ activity.

How does Lactobacillus gasseri contribute to reducing weight?

A modification of microbial populations. Research published in the journal Nature in 2006 indicated that microbial populations in the gut are different between lean and obese people and that when obese people lose weight, the composition of their microflora reverts back to that of individuals with a normal BMI, thus suggesting obesity may have a microbial component.

A decrease in leptin levels. Subcutaneous adipocytes are the major source of leptin and adiponectin. Leptin is an adipocyte hormone which controls weight by regulating food intake and energy output. Leptin concentration is closely linked with body fat percentage and higher serum levels are always found in obese individuals. According to this study, administration of L. gasseri suppressed increases in plasma leptin, suggesting that a reduction in weight and fat mass is associated with a decrease in serum leptin. Similar effects had already been observed in earlier studies.

An increase in the activity of the GLUT4 gene. Finally, GLUT4 is one of the main transporters of glucose in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. Increased expression of the GLUT4 gene in adipose tissue is known to improve the insulin resistance associated with type 2 diabetes. In this study, L. gasseri significantly increased expression of the GLUT4 gene in adipose tissue. In addition, insulin levels fell significantly. Given that in pre-diabetic states, increases in blood glucose stimulate the secretion of insulin, and that hyperinsulinaemia is frequently accompanied by obesity, consumption of L. gasseri would appear to help reduce insulin resistance and thus improve pre-diabetic states.

These results therefore suggest that:

• The anti-obesity effect of L. gasseri can be attributed to the blocking of leptin.
• The anti-diabetes activity of L. gasseri can be attributed to elevated GLUT4 levels and reduced insulin levels.

Adults. Take 2 capsules a day.
Each capsule contains 100 mg de Lactobacillus gasseri (6 billion micro-organisms).