Probiotics broke my plateau?

treetop57
treetop57 Posts: 1,578 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I lost a pound or more a week steadily for five months or so, then plateaued seven pounds above my goal. After a month at one weight, I've started to lose again, dropping two or three pounds in around a week and a half. The only change I've made recently is adding a daily probiotic (4X Pro-B from Costco). Not exercising more or less, not eating more or less.

Is this just a coincidence or do probiotics help with weight loss? Is that why folks are always pushing the Greek yogurt?
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Replies

  • mcarter99
    mcarter99 Posts: 1,666 Member
    It's so hard to tell what breaks plateaus. I think a lot of times they would've broken when they broke regardless. I guess when you run out you can see if your weight loss stops?

    I think probiotics are good for digestive health but I kind of doubt they're any weight loss panacea.
  • treetop57
    treetop57 Posts: 1,578 Member
    My first thought is that probiotics would make my digestion more efficient so I'd get more calories out my food, which would be a slight impediment to weight loss . . . all else being equal.

    My second thought is that the probiotics are helping me eliminate waste more efficiently. Perhaps I'm literally less full of crap than normal. If so, this may be a one time loss of a couple pounds, not a real break in the plateau. In any case, it's good to see the scale (and other things) moving!
  • treetop57
    treetop57 Posts: 1,578 Member
    I should learn to give my message board topics sexier names. "Am I still full of crap?"
  • laurahrmn
    laurahrmn Posts: 15 Member
    I should learn to give my message board topics sexier names. "Am I still full of crap?"

    Ahahaha. Love it.
  • treetop57
    treetop57 Posts: 1,578 Member
    I'm down two more pounds since I asked the question Monday. That really has me wondering whether the probiotics have been helping.
  • rose313
    rose313 Posts: 1,146 Member
    That's awesome! I don't know the answer, but I had never heard of probiotics until I started eating frozen kefir. If they are indeed that good I'll keep eating it as a healthy dessert and let you know!
  • diverdiza
    diverdiza Posts: 82 Member
    Interesting ... keep us posted!
  • mishkat
    mishkat Posts: 99 Member
    I should learn to give my message board topics sexier names. "Am I still full of crap?"

    Lol

    Update us by the end of the week, see what happens. =)
  • YouAreTheShit
    YouAreTheShit Posts: 510 Member
    Probiotics are a very real thing. We are not eating that dirt content that our ancestors did. That dirt is what keeps us alive and healthy (in part). I'm a big believer in having as much dirt in my diet as possible. LOL
  • stomachflu
    stomachflu Posts: 134 Member
    I should learn to give my message board topics sexier names. "Am I still full of crap?"

    If your eyes are brown then yes, you are still full of crap *LOL*
  • treetop57
    treetop57 Posts: 1,578 Member
    Guilty as charged, stomachflu!
  • Donnatb1
    Donnatb1 Posts: 5
    Not to get into too much TMI, but are you having more "movements?" Do you think you are eliminating more than usual? Studies have shown that even people who have regular movements a day, do not necessarily get everything out. Maybe the healthier gut is allowing you to release more....

    By having a healthier gut, not only are you absorbing nutrition better, but the stuff that was not being absorbed previously is also not being stored in your fat cells. Anything the body interprets as a toxin (not necessarily what we think are toxins) are stored in fat cells if not eliminated via the digestive tract. Maybe something like that is happening, too.

    Your success SURE makes me want to be more religious about taking my probiotics!
  • mcarter99
    mcarter99 Posts: 1,666 Member
    Probiotics are a very real thing. We are not eating that dirt content that our ancestors did. That dirt is what keeps us alive and healthy (in part). I'm a big believer in having as much dirt in my diet as possible. LOL

    You might be onto something. I've always been a fan of the 'hygiene hypothesis'.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hygiene_hypothesis
    It's not about diet or weight but overall health.
  • treetop57
    treetop57 Posts: 1,578 Member
    I've always been pretty regular and haven't really noticed any change in that department, Donnatb1.
  • DanaDark
    DanaDark Posts: 2,187 Member
    Technically by taking all those little guys in, you also have to FEED them. It is entirely possible they are eating some of your calories for you. But I wouldn't think enough to cause weight loss...

    But yes, our body does need plenty of bacteria in it to survive, its a symbiotic relationship. Good to have.
  • HartJames
    HartJames Posts: 789 Member
    Interesting, I recently discovered I likely stopped losing weight due to several cycles of antibiotics. Had I not been so carefully counting cals and exercise- I would have likely gained. Seems connected....
  • adry20
    adry20 Posts: 82 Member
    It could very well be it. Most health issues can be traced back to the gut, keeping it healthy is crucial for optimal health.
  • slimmergalpal
    slimmergalpal Posts: 235 Member
    You are going to get different opinions on this, but I have some information for you to take a look at- if you want. If you go to www.perfectproductseq.com , ( yes, it's an Equine site - Keep going....) then go to the tab products, click on gastrointestinal support, go to ingredients in detail, and look at all the probiotic life cycle and how it contributes to the gut and digestive system. It (they) is/are an all-over beneficial organism that helps break down and get the best nutrition to your system. I know this is geared towards the Equine Athlete, but it is the best explanation I know of how they work, and how probiotics make digestion more efficient. Good luck =) and Congrats on the weight loss so far !
  • FabulousFifty
    FabulousFifty Posts: 1,575 Member
    :smile: Interesting conversation....off to buy probiotics again....been off of them for a while and struggling with losing. Hmmm....worth a try!
  • Leiki
    Leiki Posts: 526 Member
    Probiotics won't help you lose fat. It will help your digestion, and help you have a slimmer middle, by encouraging bm. I love Greek Yogurt, Yogurtland, and Activa Light Yogurt for this reason. Yay probiotics.
  • dsjohndrow
    dsjohndrow Posts: 1,820 Member
    It's hard to say. Plateaus are tough for educated nutritionists and doctors to explain. My plateau experience was a long one after losing 60 pounds. it lasted the better part of 8 months while I ate better and increased exercise.

    it appears that plateaus are times when the body is adjusting to lower calorie intake and increased activity.

    Lots of way to do the math, but higher protein and varied exercise helped stop the gain, but it was lowering the carbs and eating the calories for the weight I won't to be at the worked.

    After a year here is what a see a lot of on MFP. People come in gung ho and the body usually responds to the better diet and lower calories. Some folks lose a lot pretty fast. I was 2-3 pounds a weeks - yeah! It seems like a lot of folks have these adjustment periods at 4-6 months if they hang in there that long. At some point, after hanging in there some more, things start moving again. Then there is the last 10 or 20 that seems to take forever no matter what you do. I am there now.
  • AngelAtkins61
    AngelAtkins61 Posts: 52 Member
    LOL love the topic header you think you should have used LOL
    I have been stuck for almost 7 months. I go for weigh ins with my nurse practitioner. I asked her this last time about the enormous stress at work and if that could be why. I eat correctly, exercise etc and am not losing. She said the cortisol from stress could definitely be my problem :(
    I eat the greek yogurt for the protien content .. love it . I add a truvia to it as I like it a bit sweeter and some blueberries.. makes a great meal
  • pholbert
    pholbert Posts: 575 Member
    Interesting.
  • treetop57
    treetop57 Posts: 1,578 Member
    Interesting site, slimmergalpal. Makes me want to take horse pills for the healthy of my hind-stomach!

    My plateau struck when I got down to the last 10 or so pounds, dsjohndrow, which was also about the 4-6 month time-frame you mention. Perhaps it was just waiting it out, not the probiotics, but I'm glad something is working for the moment!
  • slimmergalpal
    slimmergalpal Posts: 235 Member
    ok, Tree ~ I warned you it was an Equine site. But, it does show how important Probiotics are to the system and how it does play a big roll in the effectiveness of using them. I personally think that anything that helps your body use the nutrition better is a good thing. Good Luck in your journey =) Looks like you are doing well . =)
  • treetop57
    treetop57 Posts: 1,578 Member
    I was serious when I said I found the site helpful. My sincere thanks. Sorry that my joke wasn't funny. :flowerforyou:
  • ilike2moveit
    ilike2moveit Posts: 776 Member
    I should learn to give my message board topics sexier names. "Am I still full of crap?"
    "I don't care what anybody says, that there is funny!"
  • LeeBee2012
    LeeBee2012 Posts: 94 Member
    I was just wondering if probiotics woudl be helpful to me. I had my gallbladder removed about 6 weeks ago and my weight has plateau'd also. I don't know if this will help with my digestive system and if it will help get my metabolism revved up again.
  • mishkat
    mishkat Posts: 99 Member
    Any update on this? ;)
  • jc501
    jc501 Posts: 129 Member
    I was stuck in a plateau for about a month. I started eating Greek yogurt last week and the scale is moving again! I think you are on to something...

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