Probiotics May Affect Metabolism?

I ain’t no researcher, but the results of this new study sure sound like something I want to hear: “Study suggest probiotics may affect metabolism” …

TORRANCE, Calif. (Jun. 3) Results of a new study published in the journal Molecular Systems Biology showed probiotics have a tangible effect on metabolism — suggesting that the digestive flora may provide weight loss benefits in addition to helping to maintain digestive health.
Researchers from Imperial College London and Nestle Research Center in Lausanne, Switzerland, fed mice two different strains of probiotics, Lactobacillus paracasei and Lactobacillus rhamnosus. Each strain showed a range of biochemical effects that were markedly different.
They also observed that one biological change was in how the treated mice metabolized bile acids. The primary function of bile acids is to emulsify fats in the upper gut. If probiotics influences the way bile acids are metabolized, they could change the amount of fat the body can absorb.

By Michael Johnsen, www.Drugstorenews.com

So, I’m thinking, I’m definitely investigating this claim for myself. Here are some choices:

• Activia by Danone. Certainly a well advertised product. They promote regularity, but since this yogurt abounds in probiotic cultures, it might work well for this metabolism thingy. And taste good.
• Kefir containing six live, active cultures and a yeast. No studies have been published to attest to the health effects due to the microbial content of this product. But I guess that if you like kefir this might be a good way to go. Hummm, perhaps in some tzatziki…
• Femdophilus. This product comes in capsule form and targets « feminine » health, but contains the exact probiotics mentioned in the study. Seems to be available in nutrition supplement stores.
• Florastor. A supplement available in drugstores. Has been around for over 50 years. In capsule form, is a probiotic make of live freeze dried yeast cells.
• BioGaia Probiotics. They have a child version too and a cool straw dispenser format. Seems that it’s best to order this one online.

There are many other probiotic supplement brands available in drugstores and health food stores. This is a good alternative for those who don’t like yogurt. I think I might go for the supplements myself, purely for calorie control reasons. All of the websites for these product provide plenty of information about the “science” of probiotics. Here’s an easy, objective read on the subject by the Mayo Clinic. If there are any doctors or scientist or researchers in my audience, please let me know if you have any additional advise. If you’ve tried this as a consumer, please let us know what has worked for you.