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Intestinal Bacteria
INTRODUCTION
Billions of bacteria inhabit the intestines, and
this intestinal bacteria can be beneficial to
the human body in a variety of ways. For
example, bacteria aids in digestion by
synthesizing vitamins, converting dietary fiber,
and degrading dietary toxins. Bacteria also help
stimulate the development of the body's immune
system. The relationship between good and bad
intestinal bacteria is essential to one's
health. This is because “inside [the] small and
large intestines there are 400 to 500 different
species of bacteria that live in synergy, as
long as the good bacteria outweigh the bad
bacteria. If the balance gets upset and the bad
becomes more prevalent, [one] can develop many
symptoms and sicknesses. The most immediate
effects are excess gas, bloating and
diarrhea.”(1) When the development of intestinal
bacteria “ceases to be regulated, [the bacteria]
can proliferate and become pathogenic....The
balance between these bacteria, known as
commensals, and the immune system controlling
them, is therefore essential. Changes in this
balance can cause severe intestinal diseases,
such as Crohn's disease, or other chronic
inflammatory conditions with serious sequelae
”(2)
INTESTINAL BACTERIA
“The human intestine maintains within its inner
cavity a complex, crowded environment of food
remnants and microbial organisms (called "the
intestinal flora") from which the body derives
nourishment and against which the body must be
protected....Bacteria form the largest segment
of the intestinal flora. The number of bacteria
in the large bowel...exceeds the number of cells
in the human body.”(3) It is essential that the
correct balance of good and bad intestinal
bacteria be maintained. “The relationship
between the human host and [intestinal bacteria]
is described by the Greek word, symbiosis, which
means 'living together'. When symbiosis benefits
both parties, it is called mutualism. When
symbiosis becomes harmful, it is called
dysbiosis.”(3) Dysbiosis indicates that an
individual's intestinal bacteria is unbalanced
(i.e. more bad bacteria than good bacteria).
Typically, the intestines should contain a 85%
good bacteria and only 15% bad bacteria.(8) This
balance is upset when good bacteria are
destroyed and bad bacteria begin to take over.
Many factors may contribute to killing off the
good bacteria including stress, poor eating
habits, sickness, and medication use.(5)
BENEFICIAL BACTERIA
“The two main families of friendly flora are
lactobacillus, needed in the small intestine,
and bifidobacterium, needed in the large
intestine. Within these families are species and
within that, strains.”(1) “There are complex
differences among the different strains of
[intestinal bacteria]. Individual species can be
both beneficial and detrimental depending on a
number of factors, including life stage,
mutation, location in your body, and presence of
other strains. What’s most important is not so
much the sheer number of bacteria, but the
balance among them.”(5)
“Lactobacillus is a large bacterial
genus...[and] bacteria in this genus are
generally benign. Lactobacillus bacteria are
among a larger classification of bacteria known
as lactic acid bacteria because they produce
lactic acid as a byproduct when they feed. In
the case of Lactobacillus, the bacteria live on
sugars, converting them into lactic acid and an
assortment of other compounds.”(6)
“Lactobacillus species are used for the
production of yogurt, cheese, sauerkraut,
pickles, beer, wine, cider, kimchi, chocolate
and other fermented foods....”(7)
Like Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium is also a
lactic acid producing bacteria and can be found
in fermented foods such as yogurt and cheese.
“Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria maintain a
healthy balance of intestinal flora by producing
organic compounds. These organic compounds
include lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and
acetic acid that increase the acidity of the
intestine and curb the reproduction of many
harmful bacteria.”(4)
HARMFUL BACTERIA
There are several common types of harmful
bacteria, and these include: E. coli,
salmonella, rotavirus, giardia and
Cryptosporidium. Harmful “bacterial enzymes can
inactivate human digestive enzymes and convert
human bile or components of food into chemicals
which promote the development of cancer. Some
by-products of bacterial enzyme activity, like
ammonia, hinder normal brain function.” It is
possible for someone to carry these harmful
bacteria without displaying any symptoms at
all.(3)
When the harmful bacteria begin to increase and
feed on the food particles and other substances
in the digestive tract. This often produces
toxic by-products that is absorbed into the
digestive organs and carried throughout the body
by the blood. This can cause numerous symptoms
including premature aging, inflammation, and
organ failure.(8)
BENEFITS OF PROBIOTICS
The proper balance of bacteria can often be
maintained through proper diet and limiting
negative factors including stress and illness.
In addition to these efforts, probiotics can
help increase the body's ability to achieve this
balance. While probiotics are contained in many
foods, many find that supplements are the best
way to introduce them into the digestive system.
Many common supplements include probiotics such
as Saccharomyces, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and
Bifidobacteria. These helpful supplements not
only introduce the beneficial bacterias to the
body, but also typically contain components that
encourage the growth and activity of existing
friendly bacterias. These components may include
competitive yeasts and prebiotics (substances
that help the probiotics survive the passage
through the stomach and small intestines).(5)
1. Weiss, J. (2007). The Bacteria You Want in
Food. MSN Health and Fitness.
2. CNRS (2008, November 18). Immune System And
Intestinal Bacteria: The Key To Balanced
Cohabitation. ScienceDaily.
3. Galland, L. (1998). Intestinal Parasites,
Bacterial Dysbiosis and Leaky Gut. Excerpts from
Power Healing. Foundation for Integrated
Medicine.
4. Learn the Benefits of Bifidobacterium.
Published by VAXA. Unknown.
5. Pick, M. (2009.). Probiotics – For Life!
Digestion and GI Health. Published by Women to
Women.
6. Smith, S.E. (Unknown). What is Lactobacillus?
Published by wiseGEEK.
7. Ljungh, A. and Wadstrom, T. (2009).
Lactobacillus Molecular Biology: from Genomics
to Probiotics. Caister Academic Press.
8. What is Useful Bacteria. Published by
Desserts-Recipes. Unknown.
************************************
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