Concepts in Fitness: The shocking source of your cravings

If you’re happy with your weight and are one of those crazy people that crave kale, then you can probably skip this column. But if you’re trying to lose weight and you’re craving chocolate, cheese, bacon or ice cream; then this article has your name on it.

Cravings are thought to be a combination of social, cultural, psychological and physiological factors and are a major barrier to weight loss and optional health for many people.

However, new research suggests your gut microbiota might also play a role in your cravings for certain types of food and the way you store fat; and what you eat can quickly change your microbes.

There are more than 10,000 species of good and bad bacteria living in your gut. Bacteroidetes, Prevotella and Bifidobacteria are the good guys and their job is to; break down food, keep your digestive system healthy, strengthen your immune system and weight regulation. Good bacteria thrive when fermented foods such as kimchi and pre-biotic foods like onions, garlic and asparagus are included in your diet.

And bad bacteria such as Streptococcus and Firmicutes also have a job; which is to survive and flourish. And when they are in control of your gut, they alter the way you store fat and influence your cravings to suit their own needs. Bad bacteria know exactly what chemical signals to send to your brain that gives them the food they need for survival; sugar, dairy, processed foods, corn, soy and wheat.

Fortunately, researchers are starting to understand the differences between the wrong mix and the right mix of gut bacteria. In a study of lean and obese twins, researchers discovered the lean twins have a very diverse and abundant community residing in their guts. The lean twins had a wider variety of Bacteroidetes; a microbe that helps burn fat, while the obese twins had an abundance of the fat storing bacteria Firmicutes. And when Firmicutes out number Bacteroidetes they can cause you to retain an extra 150 calories a day or 5,000 calories a year!

When it comes to losing weight, most people focus on eating less and moving more; which usually results in temporary weight loss. But according to Dr. Raphael Kellman MD and author of the book The Microbiome Diet, “If you get your microbiome healthy, you will lose weight. It’s all about correcting the overgrowth of unhealthy bacteria, which is making you crave the wrong foods and triggering inflammation.”

And bad bacteria remember when you were fat; so they trigger cravings for the foods (sugar, corn, dairy) that ensure their survival. This explains why so many people lose weight only to gain it right back because the bad bacteria are thriving in the gut.

But supplementing your diet with a bio-available probiotic and avoiding processed, boxed, packaged junk will promote weight loss, support a healthy immune system and optimize digestion.

In the end just like you, your microbiome is unique; the key is to support it with foods and supplements that will encourage its survival.

Reach Mary Schoepe at fitnessconcepts001@yahoo.com.