I don't often like to write about weight loss supplements, because I feel like so many of them are only effective when used along with diet and exercise, which of course is the best way to lose weight. We really don't recommend crazy crash diets or anything else like that.
I came across some new research this past month though, of a weight loss supplement with pretty impressive research behind it.
The product is a gummy called Mediterranean Weight Management by Life Extension; it uses an extract of the Moro orange, which has shown very impressive results in research. There have been two studies showing the Moro orange extract for weight loss, using the amount in two gummies of the product. The first was a placebo-controlled study done over 12 weeks, it had a group of women who did not change their diet and exercise routines, and those that used the Moro orange extract had an average of a 2.79 inch reduction in their waistline (equivalent to about two pants sizes), and an overall weight loss of 4%. That seems almost too good to be true, but a second study confirmed its benefits. The second study was done over six months, and showed an overall waist size reduction of 1.54 inches (about one pants size) reduced abdominal fat by 11.3%, and overall weight loss of 4.2% on average.
The trouble with a lot of weight loss supplements is that there will be research on it but if you look into the studies in more detail, it's often giving people crazy doses of things which people would never use in real life, but the amounts used in these studies are the amounts found in one serving of two gummies of the Life Extension product I mentioned above.
Since they're in gummy form, they're easy to take and are good tasting. Usually I'm not the biggest fan of gummies because I often feel like they aren't able to get that much of an active ingredient in a gummy and still have it taste good. A lot of gummies, you need to take a whole handful of them to really make a difference (not in all cases, but it's definitely a problem with gummies sometimes). They're an easy way to take supplements though, and it seems easier to remember to take something when it’s good tasting.
Still, even with the impressive research above, I don't think there's any supplement, particularly supplements for weight loss, that's going to be effective for everyone.
The recommended dose that was used in the study is only two gummies, which I feel like is an easy thing to take. Also, the nice thing about this supplement for weight loss is that it shouldn't raise blood pressure or "soup you up", so it can be taken in the evenings if you want, though we would probably recommend using them earlier in the day for effectiveness.
These gummies use a branded extract of the Moro orange called Morosil. Morosil is said to be rich in bioactive substances that help to break down fat cells and suppresses adipogenesis (the formation of new fat cells). It’s also been shown in research to reduce fat storage by about 50% and also to help in shrinking adipose tissue (the scientific name for fat cells).
Something else to keep in mind if you try this new supplement, is that the studies were done over about 12 weeks to show the difference. As with any supplement, it's a good idea to give it some time to work.
I feel like these gummies are worth a try, especially since they're also a good antioxidant, and they taste great. If you try them, let us know if you have any success!
Natural Weight Loss Supplements that Actually Work
With summer in full swing, many people have been asking about weight loss supplements, so I wanted to highlight a few of our most effective supplements and explain how they work.
First, let me say that even the best weight loss supplement will not do that much when not paired with a healthy diet and exercise. Exercise doesn’t have to mean an hour long aerobics class, but for weight loss to be effective, increasing your activity level is important.
Another problem with some weight loss supplements is that the amounts used in research to demonstrate their effectiveness are often more than what most people take, and with any supplement if you’re not taking the recommended dose, it often isn’t effective.
For example, the supplement garcinia cambogia does have good results for weight loss, but for it to really work, you need to make sure to take a high potency extract of the supplement at the proper amount. We’d recommend Jarrow’s garcinia cambogia, since it has the highest extract percentage per pill, but to work, it should be taken as six capsules a day- three in the morning and three in the afternoon. Not all weight loss supplements need to be taken as that many pills, but I just mention it because dosing is important. If you’re only taking a fraction of a recommended amount, you’re only going to be getting a fraction of the benefits.
Also, even the most powerful weight loss supplement isn’t going to work in a week. Weight loss takes time, and for there to be a lasting change, experts recommend that you aim for no more than one to two lbs a week. Crash diets and extreme weight loss are unsustainable long term (and can be a shock to your system).
There are many great supplements for weight loss, but I’ll list some of our favorites below:
Metobolic Activators
There is a unique supplement by Life Extention called AMPK Metobolic Activator that we’d especially recommend. It works by increasing the activity of an enzyme in our bodies called AMPK that regulates energy in the cells of the body. When our bodies need energy, this enzyme moves excess fats and sugars into our cells to be converted into energy. This AMPK enzyme tells our bodies when to start burning fat stores for energy.
The AMPK Activator contains two plant ingredients that have been found to activate our body’s own AMPK enzyme, which tells our bodies to start using its fat stores for energy, especially abdominal fat stores.
Another nice thing about this supplement is that it’s just one-a-day to be effective.
Garcinia Cambogia
Garcinia cambogia is also known as Citrimax, and its active ingredient, HCA, has been in numerous studies over the years for its benefits for weight loss. It works in part by inhibiting an enzyme that stores sugars and carbohydrates as fat, blocking the process of fat production.
Instead of being converted into fat, sugar and carbohydrates are converted into glycogen, a fuel that is stored in the liver and muscles that is converted into energy. By raising the body’s levels of glycogen, it can also help with reducing appetite, since it tells the body that its fuel tanks are full. HCA (the active ingredient in garcinia cambogia) can also help to raise the body’s level of serotonin, which helps with boosting mood as well as reducing stress eating.
We’d say the best garcinia cambogia supplement is the one by Jarrow, and it should be taken three capsules, twice a day, thirty to sixty minutes before a meal for best results.
Glucomannan
Unlike the two supplements mentioned above, glucomannan is not involved with raising metabolism or burning fat, which can actually be a good thing since it can be taken at any time, including in the evening. Glucomannan is a special type of fiber that increases many times its size in the stomach, helping you to feel more full and satisfied. Because of that, when taken before a meal (or whenever) the idea is that would eat less since the stomach is partially filled. It’s also nice since it can be taken in the evening to help to curb late night snacking.
Even better, glucomannan is be beneficial for high cholesterol and diabetes, since it can help to control blood sugar levels. Glucomannan is available in both powder and capsules, but if using capsules, make sure to take them with a full glass of water.
L-Carnitine
Carnitine is an amino acid with many benefits particularly for cardiovascular health. While not specifically a weight loss supplement, carnitine can be helpful for weight loss since it’s involved with energy metabolism, and helps to transport fat from the foods we eat to be converted into energy. It can be helpful when you’re exercising since it can help to burn more fat during exercise and give the muscles more energy, reducing fatigue when exercising (which can be especially helpful for people who are just beginning to an exercise regimen).
Carnitine works in part by increasing nitric oxide in the body, which helps heart health and cardiovascular function, and can help with increasing blood flow and cellular energy in the body-especially the muscles.
Protein
Protein, and protein shakes do not help you lose weight. That being said, eating more protein can help you to feel more satisfied for longer, which can help with dieting. Protein also helps with muscle repair after exercise. Protein shakes are a simple, low-calorie way to increase the amount of protein in your diet and are available in milk-based whey protein or plant-based proteins suitable for people with dietary restrictions.
Please stop by the store so we can help you to find the supplement that’s right for you! We’re located at 7228 W. College Drive in Palos Heights.
Change Your Thinking About New Year's Resolutions
With New Year’s upon us- 2020, it’s hard to believe! Many people think of New Year’s Resolutions, and for most Americans, losing weight is at towards the top of that list.
If you are one of those people, first, let me suggest that you rephrase that resolution. Rather than having the focus on weight loss, to try and shift that thought to improving our health. When we think of “losing weight”, it generally has a negative connotation, and if we may not see results as quickly as we wish, it can turn into feelings of failure and low self esteem.
So this year, instead of the idea of weight loss, let’s focus on making changes (even small ones) that can lead us to growing healthier and stronger.
There are many places in our area that can help, the first of which we’d recommend are our friends at Revival Yoga Studio just across the street from our store. Just this past year they’ve also opened two more studios in our mall- a cycle studio and one for aerial and barre yoga. I know without a doubt that their owner, Megan, would agree with us about stopping the negative thoughts about losing weight, and instead to focus on doing something positive for yourself, making small changes to be more active that will lead to less stress and improved mood.
Next, instead of dieting, to shift the thinking to making a change to nourish our bodies with more whole foods, whole grains, and fresh, delicious fruits and vegetables instead of a bunch of processed junk. When we eat better, we feel better, and it doesn’t need to be about deprivation or counting calories.
There is no magic pill, but there are natural products that can help with that journey to better health.
One such product that I wanted to mention is a new supplement backed by impressive scientific research called AMPK Metobolic Activator by Life Extention. There is an enzyme in our bodies called AMPK that regulates energy in the cells of the body. When our bodies need energy, this enzyme moves excess fats and sugars into our cells to be converted into energy. This AMPK enzyme tells our bodies when to start burning fat stores for energy.
Our bodies are made to want to hold on to its fat stores because historically, humans have experienced times of plenty and times of famine, and those fat stores would help us to weather times when food was less abundant. Increasing the activity of the AMPK enzyme can make a big difference in overcoming our body’s tendencies to store excess fat.
We all have this enzyme at work in our bodies, but its activity declines as we age, leading to a slower metabolism that contributes to changes in our bodies, often showing as weight gain, particularly around the midsection.
Excess body fat is actually detrimental to our health since it causes oxidative stress that can harm our tissues and organs as well as inflammation throughout the body, both of which can actually cause a number of serious health problems.
This new product by Life Extention called AMPK Metabolic Activator has two compounds- one from citrus fruits and the other from a plant native to Southeast Asia. Those two ingredients together have been found to activate our body’s own AMPK enzyme, which tells our bodies to start using its fat stores for energy, especially abdominal fat stores.
In one study, people taking one of the ingredients found in one pill of this Metabolic Activator lost 11% of their abdominal fat. Another study on the second ingredient found positive changes in abdominal fat loss.
The amounts used in both studies are found in one pill of this new formula by Life Extension, which I really appreciate since in the past, many products for encouraging fat loss required several pills a day to be effective.
Even though I’ve been impressed by the research behind this new supplement, let me be clear- there is no magic pill, though supplements like this can be a help on the journey to better health. Don’t worry about what your scale says or counting calories- just working on being more active (whatever that means in your life) and trying to eat more whole foods is what really counts. You don’t need to deprive yourself, it’s just all about moderation, and if something like the product I mentioned above can help with a slowed metabolism, all the better.
All of us at Pass Health Foods wish you the very best for this new decade, and hope that it’s your healthiest, most vibrant year yet!
Carb Blockers for Weight Loss & Blood Sugar Control
Carb blockers have been around a long time, but I’ve always been kind of skeptical about them. Recently I’ve came across some new research on carb blockers which has made me take another look at them.
Carb blockers are supplements that inhibit the body’s absorption of carbohydrates, so they pass through the body undigested. When those extra carbs are not digested the body does not receive all the calories from that meal.
There is a branded carb blocking extract from white kidney bean called Phase 2, which is an alpha-amylase inhibitor. It’s unique in that it works to slow the digestion of excess starches without affecting the digestion of healthy carbs like those from whole grains and fruits.
Research on that Phase 2 carb blocker has been very positive. In one study of one hundred and twenty three volunteers, participants who took the Phase 2 carb blocker lost an average of seven pounds more than the placebo group over the course of three months. Additionally, 73% of the participants who lost weight with the supplement kept it off for the next six months (the length of time the study followed the participants). Interestingly, the people who took the Phase 2 carb blocker had less food cravings than those used tried dieting alone.
Another benefit of carb blockers goes beyond weight loss. Carb blockers can also be useful for diabetics or people watching their blood sugar. One study gave volunteers four slices of white bread and margarine; half the group received the branded Phase 2 carb blocker. The researchers reported that carbohydrate absorption was inhibited by 66% in the supplement group. The participant’s blood sugar readings also returned to normal after eating faster for those who took the carb blocking supplement.
The research is definitely positive on carb blockers, but for them to be effective, it’s important to pair them with a healthy diet. I think sometimes people think of carb blockers as a free pass to eat junk, but that is not the way that they will help you lose weight.
Another nice thing about carb blockers is that they do not boost metabolism, so they can be taken at night without interfering with sleep, or taken by people with high blood pressure who may not be able to take other weight loss supplements.
When paired with a healthy diet and exercise, carb blockers are supplements that seem to really be able to help! Stop by the store so we can help you to find the product that's right for you!
Help for New Year Resolutions
Two things we usually think of when the New Year rolls around are detoxing and weight loss. I’ll attach a few links below on articles about both.
For weight loss, this is a great overview of different weight loss supplements, and how they work:
How to Choose the Right Weight Loss Supplement
This is an article on garcinia cambogia, a very well researched supplement that aids weight loss in a number of different ways. The garcinia cambogia product we recommend the most is Jarrow, since it has the highest potency per pill of any other garcinia cambogia formula, and is also better absorbing. Our Jarrow garcinia cambogia will be 25% off for the month of January.
Garcinia Cambogia: A Weight Loss Supplement that Really Works
Below are two articles on detoxing and cleansing for the new year:
Q & A: Detoxing for the New Year
Nature’s Plus Complete Body Cleanse
For those who want to do a simpler cleanse, we’d recommend Nature’s Secret’s 15 Day Cleanse and Flush. It’s a one bottle product that is on sale for 25% off- less than $10 a bottle. It’s a nice, easy way to start fresh and is also a nice way to begin a new diet regimen.
All About Curcumin and Why It's So Great
I wanted to write about curcumin again. It has become incredibly popular for helping with reducing pain and inflammation in the body- and rightly so- it really does work. New research is coming out all the time confirming its many benefits, which go far beyond just pain relief.
Curcumin, the active ingredient in the spice turmeric, has been said by many to be “the most anti-inflammatory herb on the planet”. It is difficult for the body to absorb, however, and in the past, people needed to consume mass amounts of the strongly pigmented yellow spice to be able to get enough of that beneficial extract, curcumin, to make a difference. I love eating turmeric (turmeric is the yellow spice used in many curries), but ground turmeric root is generally only 4% curcumin, so supplements are the best answer if you’re looking to get the benefits reported again and again in the scientific studies.
Even supplemental extracts of turmeric or curcumin can be difficult for the body to absorb, which is why there are very specific forms that we recommend. The company Solgar has a branded extract that they use which has been scientifically documented to be one hundred and eighty-five times better absorbed than standard curcumin extracts. If you’re interested, you can search go to our website for more information and the links to the study, or go to PubMed.gov, since I fully agree that it almost sounds too good to be true.
We are all about science at Pass Health Foods. Sometimes I think people have the idea that natural products, vitamins, and herbs are a bunch of “hippie nonsense”, but in our store, the products we recommend are scientifically backed by research. There are times when conventional pharmaceuticals are necessary, but if you can find natural products that legitimately work, without the side effects of conventional medicines, it can be a wonderful thing.
So, back to curcumin: studies have shown again and again its benefit for pain relief, finding it equal to commercially available pain medications and NSAID drugs, but without the strain those medicines have on the liver. Ibuprofen and other drugs definitely do help with pain, but they are not meant to be taken over and over again on a daily basis. Curcumin is a great alternative, which rather than being hard on the liver, it can actually help with liver function.
In addition to pain relief, curcumin supplements have also been shown in research to have impressive results for reducing anxiety and depression, one study even found curcumin supplementation to be as effective as a prescription drug for depression, but without the side effects.
New research has also introduced curcumin as a possible aid to weight loss. One thirty day study followed people who were already on a diet and exercise regimen. They found an increased percentage of weight loss in the group who took curcumin, but even more than that was the reduction of body fat percentage for the people who took curcumin vs. the placebo group. Over thirty days the group who used diet and exercise alone had a .70% reduction in total body fat loss, but the group who used curcumin had an average of 8.43% reduction in body fat!
Curcumin supplementation has also been linked to a reduction in several types of cancers. In the past, the poor absorption of curcumin supplements was a problem for showing results in human studies, but now with newly formulated extracts like Solgar’s Full Spectrum Curcumin, which have significantly increased the body’s ability to absorb the nutrient, that is changing. Curcumin has been shown to inhibit cancer cells, prevent tumor formation, as well as slow cancer progression, and can be a helpful adjunct to traditional cancer therapies (though as with everything, be sure to inform your physician of any natural products you are taking, especially during cancer treatment).
So to sum up, while curcumin is best known for reducing joint pain and inflammation, it has many other scientifically documented benefits. Not all turmeric or curcumin supplements are equal in how well they are absorbed, so at this time, the only curcumin product we truly recommend is Solgar’s Full Spectrum Curcumin, for the simple reason that it has been shown to be so much better absorbed than any other. Since it’s a product we recommend so highly, we were able to work out a deal with the company to be able to offer 25% off on our Solgar curcumin on an everyday basis at Pass Health Foods. Stop by the store for more information, we’d love to help you further.
Garcinia Cambogia for Weight Loss - It Really Works
Q: I want to lose weight but I’m not sure what supplements are really best for weight loss and what really works. Do you have any recommendations?
A: The supplement that we would recommend the most is the extract of a tropical fruit found in Indonesia called garcinia cambogia. Of all the weight loss supplements available, we believe that there is the most positive scientific research for garcinia cambogia over any other weight loss supplement. Dr. Harry Press, a researcher from Georgetown University, reports that garcinia cambogia is three times more effective than diet and exercise alone. It’s not a miracle pill, but when combined with diet and exercise, it can make a real difference.
Garcinia cambogia works in several different ways to aid weight loss, which is part of why it’s so effective. First, it works to delay the emptying of the stomach, and also prolongs glucose absorption from the small intestines, both of which help you to feel full and satisfied longer after a meal.
Another way that garcinia cambogia works in the body is that it helps to boost serotonin, the “feel-good” neurotransmitter, in the brain. Higher amounts of serotonin in the body help with reducing appetite and stress eating, as well as boosting mood overall, which is always a good thing. The only concern would be for people taking SSRI antidepressants (like Prozac) which also boost serotonin; if you’re on a prescription SSRI antidepressant, it would be best to avoid garcinia cambogia.
Garcinia cambogia also helps with weight loss in another way- it helps fat to be used as energy rather than stored as fat deposits. Since it is helping the body to burn fat more effectively, garcinia cambogia works best when people are not consuming excessive dietary fats or a high alcohol diet.
Of any garcinia cambogia supplement, we’d recommend the brand Jarrow. They have the highest amount of the active ingredient in garcinia cambogia per pill over any other brand we’ve seen. Also, their specific garcinia cambogia extract is actually protected by nine different US patents, and has been shown to have better absorption and a higher range of benefits when compared with other garcinia cambogia extracts.
Finally, making sure you’re taking the recommended dosage is important for seeing true effectiveness. One other thing to mention would be that in a few studies, it took one to two weeks of supplementation before weight loss began, so if you start taking garcinia cambogia, be patient. The science it behind it is solid, it really does help with weight loss. Keep in mind however, it’s meant to be an aid to weight loss, giving an extra boost to diet and exercise. Another benefit of garcinia cambogia is that unlike some other weight loss supplements, it's safe for people with high blood pressure.
Unfortunately, the miracle pill that will let us sit on the couch all day eating junk while looking like a supermodel has yet to be invented, but every step makes a difference for leading a healthier life. Weight loss is not just about being happy about how you look in a swimsuit, excess weight literally impacts every aspect of health, so making a change for the better can truly give you a better- and longer- life!
Help for New Year's Resolutions
Many people make resolutions at the start of the year, one of the most common of which is to lose extra weight. First, let me say that there is no miracle pill (unfortunately!), but there are some natural products that can really help.
This is a great rundown the different weight loss ingredients out there, and how they work. Everybody’s different, so reading it might help you to find the weight loss aid that’s right for you.
Another goal many people have for the new year is to live a healthier, more natural lifestyle. If that’s the case for you, be sure to read our article on whole body cleanses in this month’s newsletter. Additionally, this article on natural household cleansers (and their chemical laden counterparts) may be a helpful read.
Finally, if your resolution is to try to have a more calm and stress free 2017 (wouldn’t that be great?), here are a few articles that might help:
Two Fantastic Natural Mood Boosters
We wish you the very best for this New Year. Be well.
The Importance of Exercise: More than Just Weight Loss
With spring in full swing, I wanted to write about exercise, since April is a great time to begin an exercise regimen with such nice mild weather outside. First, I wanted to say that I think it’s a good idea to start thinking of exercise in a different way. We usually think of exercise as connected with weight loss, and while exercise and weight loss do go hand and hand, it seems to me that connecting exercising with trying to lose weight can put exercise in a negative light, as something that can almost be a discouragement and easily set aside as “too hard” or too large of a problem to overcome.
If we begin to shift our thinking from the idea of exercising to lose weight to instead, deciding to make a change to a healthier, more active lifestyle, I think it can make a real difference. “Dieting” can feel like such a negative thing, and can be something that’s difficult to maintain. For example, my dad (I hope he doesn’t mind me writing about him) was overweight for years, and would joke every week about how he was, “restarting his diet” each Monday- something which never stuck. Then, a couple years ago, he and his wife decided to make a change, and they took up biking. At 73, he has gone from being overweight and unhealthy to biking huge distances, sometimes up to 50 miles at a time! I am amazed by him, and really proud. I wanted to tell his story as an example that anyone can make a change, today, and turn their life around to a healthy, active life, no matter how sedentary you may be. It doesn’t happen overnight, but it won’t happen if you don’t start.
Being active is about much more than weight loss- exercise is one of the top ways to prevent heart disease. Exercise improves blood flow, lowers blood pressure, and strengthens the heart, all of which lead to a longer life! The official recommendations for exercise are 2.5 hours of moderate aerobic exercise a week. That number seems like a lot, but is completely doable when broken up into small minutes each day.
Many people say that they don’t have enough energy to exercise. If that’s the case, supplements like ginseng can really help. Ginseng is a herb used for thousands of years for vitality and stamina and is something that can help you to get going in the morning. In fact the German science commission has approved ginseng’s use in reducing fatigue. Studies have shown that ginseng helps with increasing stamina during exercise, allowing a person to sustain aerobic activity for a longer period of time with less fatigue. A typical dose is two five hundred milligram capsules first thing in the morning. Ginseng is slightly more effective on an empty stomach, though it can be taken with food.
Another supplement that can be helpful for people starting an exercise regimen is CoQ10. CoQ10 is most well known for its benefits to heart health, though it is also useful for improving stamina and energy during exercise and even helping with improving recovery after exercise. CoQ10 has so many proven benefits and is a supplement everyone would benefit from. If you’re interested, you can search “CoQ10” on our website for many, many articles on the benefits of CoQ10.
The standard dosage is 100mg per day. CoQ10 is a fat-soluble vitamin, so it should be taken with food for the best absorption. We currently have a buy one, get one free two pack of CoQ10 by Natural Factors at Pass Health Foods which is a really great deal.
The last recommendation I would make would have to do with protein. After exercising, particularly strenuous exercise or exercise where you’ve worked your body hard, it’s a good idea to use a protein shake. There is a “magic window” of 45 minutes after exercise where ingested protein can make a real difference for muscle repair and synthesis. That protein does not need to be in the form of a protein shake, though I have found protein shakes to be the most convenient after exercise, since they’re simple and fast.
If you consume dairy products, whey protein is a fantastic, easily absorbed protein source, and the company Jarrow has a line of whey protein powders which are very high quality as well as a good value. If you’re dairy-free, as I am, I’d very much recommend Garden of Life’s Organic Plant Protein. It’s the one I use, and I really love it. Also, while supplies last we have a number of really nice shaker cups that are free with any full size Garden of Life protein powder. I use a shaker cup all the time; you can put a serving of protein powder in a shaker cup to take along with you when exercising at the gym and then add water and drink immediately after exercising, since protein shakes are best when drunk right after mixing. Protein shakes taste best when mixed with milk or in a smoothie, but they are perfectly acceptable when mixed with water- plus it’s easier and has less calories.
Finally, I want to say two more things- the first is that exercise can be enjoyable, and not everyone likes the same things. We live in an area with a huge amount of paved forest preserve trails, and Lake Katherine and Swallow Cliff are nearby as well. If you don’t like biking, try walking, or running, or hiking. Numerous studies have shown the benefits to stress relief simply by being outdoors, and even more have shown exercise’s ability reduce stress and improve mood.
In closing, I again want to encourage you to start being more active and to begin to add exercise as a regular component to your day! Nothing happens overnight, but it all starts with a choice, and taking that first step. Good luck!
If you’re interested in further information, here are two of our past articles that go into more detail about protein shakes:
Protein Shakes for Weight Loss
Healthy Q & A: Probiotics for Weight Loss
Q: Do probiotics help with weight loss?
A: Probiotics are one of my favorite supplements since they are so multifunctional. I love when one supplement helps with numerous functions in the body. Probiotics are most commonly taken for aiding digestion and boosting the immune system- two areas in which they really shine. Clinical research has also recently linked probiotics to weight loss, however, though primarily just for specific strains- Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus gasseri. Those probiotic strains were especially effective for helping women lose weight.
The strains of good bacteria which have been focused on as an aid to weight loss are not found in most probiotics. Luckily, we have been able to find a few products that contain those two strains, which we’ve only just started carrying in the store. The probiotic supplement that I would recommend most for weight loss is a new one by Garden of Life called Fitbiotic. Their Fitbiotic contains those two strains mixed with twelve other active strains in the body to equal a total of 50 billion beneficial organisms per serving. The probiotics in Fitbiotic are combined with a fiber blend specially formulated to help to create a feeling of fullness and satiety, which helps weight loss even further.