How gut problems contribute to bariatric regain

Could gut problems be at the root of your bariatric regain?

Bariatric surgery is a great option for weight loss. It provides individuals with the ability to actually live a life they love. Of course like most things, it does come with some side effects.

First off, regain is a big fear for many bariatric patients. Although, most people are aware of individuals who’ve gained the majority of their weight back. In reality, most will only regain a small percentage.

The average is anywhere from 15% up to 85% of bariatric patients will regain 2-5% from their lowest weight. In my experiences 40-60% of the patients I see struggle with some level of regain.

Not to mention, that many of those same individuals experiencing regain are struggling with gut problems.

In fact, gut problems is another side effect that is troublesome for so many bariatric patients. You see, having a healthy gut is vital to your overall health and regain.

To be more specific, there are several things we already understand about the gut and the bacteria that reside within.

What influences gut bacteria & bariatric regain

When it comes to regain and maintaining a healthy gut understanding what influences gut bacteria positively and negatively can be a game changer.

Here are a few positive influencers…

Polyphenols
Vitamins
Fiber-filled carbohydrates
Exercise

Here are a few negative influencers…

Antibiotics
Medications
Stress
Vitamin/mineral deficiencies
Refined carbohydrates
Artificial sweeteners

Polyphenol magic

In fact, more and more studies are showing how powerful polyphenols are to your metabolism. You see polyphenols modulate gut microbes that influence metabolism and improve microbial diversity and the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio. Each of these play a role in how efficient your metabolism functions.

Foods that are high in polyphenols…

beets
cherries
blueberries and raspberries
cocoa powder
Hazelnuts
cloves
Green tea
Dark chocolate

Now what about Firmicutes/Bacteroidets?

Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and bariatric regain

Firmicutes & Bacteroidetes are beneficial gut bacteria that have a direct correlation to your overall health and weight. When they’re elevated and out of balance. They can create an environment that your body will absorb more calories from the food you are consuming.

So, that’s how it contributes to your weight regain. When they’re elevated, you are likely going to struggle with weight loss and be more weight loss resistant.

How Vitamins influence the gut

Consuming foods that are nutrient dense is a great way to support your gut and regain. You see the vitamins and minerals naturally in foods influence gut bacteria. You see, Vitamin A(retinoic acid) has the ability to increase certain species of gut bacteria. Specifically, lactobacillus and bifidobacteria.

Not only does Vitamin A influence gut bacteria, it’s a great addition for the gut lining and it can do wonders with healing a gut. Although all bariatric patients need to take vitamins, getting vitamins from the foods you consume is the body’s preferred source.

For example, foods rich in Vitamin A are…liver, egg, milk, butter, tuna, pumpkin, sweet potato, carrot, cantaloupe. Incorporating Vitamin A rich foods.

As you can see there are many things that can impact gut bacteria, but a study published in the “International journal of food sciences & nutrition” 2020 said it best.

“It is the habitual diet that determines the long-term residents in the gut.”

So what happens if your gut problems & regain exist because of a gut imbalance?

What is dysbiosis ?

We all have good and bad bacteria living harmoniously in our gut. But when one gets out of balance problems arise. There have been quite a few studies on bariatric patients and dysbiosis. But first, let’s review what dysbiosis is.

Dysbiosis is:-

You have too little good bacteria
Too much bad bacteria
Bacteria in the wrong location, which is SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth)

But how does dysbiosis play a role in regain? Let’s take a look at what the studies show…

Dysbiosis & bariatric regain

Obesity Reports 2019 “Gut microbiota dysbiosis in human obesity: impact of bariatric surgery”

“Bariatric surgery enables partial rescue of gut microbiota dysbiosis observed during obesity. Some of the gut microbiota characteristics modified post bariatric surgery are linked to bariatric surgery beneficial outcomes, such as weight loss or metabolic improvements.

Obesity Surgery 2020 “Gut microbiota modifications and weight regain in morbidly obese women after roux-en-y gastric bypass”

“Gut microbiota of individuals which presented late weight gain after RYGB was significantly different in comparison to individuals with a successful weight loss”

Obesity Surgery 2019 “Role of the gut microbiota in sustained weight loss following roux-en-y gastric bypass surgery”

“The results indicate that the gut microbiota are at least functionally, if not compositionally different between the poor weight loss and successful weight loss patients.”

American Journal of translational research 2019 “Gut microbiota specific signatures are related to the successful rate of bariatric surgery”

“Successful patients have presented a more diverse core microbiome, what could represent a dysbiosis status of the other groups”

As you can see having a healthy gut can be quite impactful on your weight loss goals. So how do you put the odds in your favor to reverse regain and protect your gut?

Resolve gut dysbiosis
Improve gut bacteria diversity

If you’re struggling with regain let’s connect! I’d love to help you lose the regain and get your gut back in balance.