The Importance of Probiotics

Dr. Stephen G. Boyce, a board-certified Knoxville bariatric surgeon and developer of Bari Life Bariatric Supplements shares why probiotic supplements are so important and why he will always include them in his line of bariatric vitamin products.

First, what exactly are probiotics? Probiotics are the good bacteria in the body that keep the bad, illness-causing bacteria under control. Probiotics are usually found in many types of food, including yogurt and some soy products. In addition to fighting off bad bacteria, probiotics can be useful for bariatric patients by assisting in the prevention of diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, lowering bad cholesterol levels and raising good cholesterol levels and supporting normal digestion. Dr. Boyce shares with us that supplements generally contain a much more concentrated supply of probiotics than those found in food, providing a few million colony forming units (CFU’s). “Current research tells us that prescribing probiotic supplements for our bariatric patients after surgery can provide many benefits. I believe that probiotics significantly improves the health of my patients after surgery,” reveals Dr. Boyce.

According to a study from the Stanford University School of Medicine, supplementing bariatric surgery patients with probiotics can be beneficial for maximizing weight loss benefits. Dr. Boyce explains that after having a major surgical procedure such as bariatric surgery, the body can become depleted of its natural supply of probiotics. Furthermore, a multi-probiotic supplement can be effective at restoring the body’s natural levels of probiotics, helping the body to be healthier and function more normally following bariatric surgery.

Dr. Boyce stresses to his patients who have had bariatric surgery to use a probiotic supplement that contains multiple species of lactobacillus, such as L. acidophilus and bifidobacteria to obtain optimal health benefits as strains of these probiotics have been shown to improve digestion and have an extensive safety record for use in the generally healthy weight population. Bari Life Multi-Probiotics contain eight different bacteria per capsule containing 15 billion CFU’s, and only one capsule daily is needed to restore the normal balance of bacteria in the digestive system.

“After researching probiotics, I found that many over-the-counter options for my patients were limited and expensive,” says Dr. Boyce. Bari Life offers a shelf-stable multi-probiotic manufactured in the U.S. by a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA) certified nutraceutical manufacturing company. Boyce shares, “We offer this complete formula to our bariatric patients at a much more affordable price than some of the over-the-counter products available. It is absolutely necessary to include a top-notch probiotic supplement in the Bari Life product line for it to be complete.”

Bari Life also offers the only bariatric multivitamin formula that meets or exceeds the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) vitamin and mineral guidelines all in one bottle. Dr. Boyce stresses, “the ASMBS guidelines are extremely important. They were established by combining the most recent findings of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE), The Obesity Society (TOS) and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.” Furthermore, Boyce reiterates the importance of adding a multi-probiotic supplement to your daily regimen in addition to taking vitamins that meet or exceed the ASMBS guidelines if you’re looking to maximize benefits after weight loss surgery.

Thanks for reading!
Your Bari Life Team

Questions for Dr. Boyce? Email info@barilife.com!

Bari Life Bariatric Supplements aims to provide high quality, complete and affordable products designed specifically for the weight loss surgery patient.