One Serving Of Bacteria Each Day May Keep The Doctor Away!

Along with unwanted organisms such as parasites, the bowel holds a huge array of micro-life. The colon contains between 1.5kg to 2kg (3 - 4 pounds) of bacteria, composed of 300 to 400 different species of types, each with their individual function.

These bacteria are made up of both unfriendly (harmful) and friendly bacteria / bowel flora and affect man aspects of our lives such as the breakdown of foods, metabolism, our biochemistry, immunity and overall physiology - therefore, the correct balance if vital to good health and life.

Some of these bacterium colonise the intestinal tract, where they attach themselves onto the mucosal epithelium (gut lining) where as other are ingested with food and drink, travel down through the body and out the anus. All these bacteria, both friendly and unfriendly flora make up around 30 to 40% of the faeces.

The so-called 'unfriendly bowel bacteria' such as E. coli are know as the putrefactive bacterium and are responsible for the decay of matter in the colon. They thrive on a diet high in fats and protein which accelerate the output of undesirable metabolites such as ammonia, bile salts, urea, phenols and many other potentially harmful dietary waste substances. This is especially true if the liver function is impaired, as detoxification becomes less efficient. High numbers of these 'bad bacteria' coupled with poor liver detoxification is one of the main contributing factors in the development of degenerative diseases such as diverticulosis, haemorrhoids / piles, ulcerative colitis etc.

When these bowel bacteria become abundant, the toxins they produce pollute the bowel. These can then be re-absorbed into the blood and pass to the liver for detoxification. When too many toxins are produced for the liver to deal with, the toxins are forwarded into the bile and return to the colon. This becomes a vicious, unhealthy cycle and needs to be avoided or remedied. This is done through improved diet, eating habits, increased water intake, frequent bowel movements and colon cleansing.

These colon bacteria are the lactic acid producing bacteria, collectively know as friendly bowel flora.

Research clearly shows the benefits of maintaining high levels of these strains as they help to keep the 'unfriendly', non-lactic acid producing bacteria at low levels and this in turn maintains low levels of colon toxins and the intestinal gas carbon dioxide (CO2) which is yet another waste product of 'unfriendly bacteria'.

Some of the bacteria strains that fall into this category are Bifido bacterium such as Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Streptococcus thermophilus and Bifidobacterium longum. There are many others but too numerous to mention.

These strains produce acetic, lactic and formic acid which lowers the pH of the intestine and so help to prevent the colonisation of fungus like Candida albicans, which cause many problems including thrush.

When the ration of 'good' to 'bad bacteria strains' is in favour of the beneficial flora, they help to stimulate peristalsis, flush out toxins, keep the 'unfriendly bacteria' in check  and can even help to maintain good blood cholesterol levels (LDL).

Many elderly people do not produce enough digestive enzymes and hydrochloric acid, a condition known as achlorhydria.
This allows the can 'Unfriendly' bowel bacteria to proliferate in number and in turn it can cause bad breath, smelly flatulence, constipation, low energy levels, headaches etc. Achlorhydria can also be cause too much tannic acid found in tea and coffee.

A good probiotic supplement should contain numerous strains of lactic forming bacteria in high strength. These bacteria must also be able to survive the acid conditions in the stomach and pass through to the colon where they can perform their beneficial functions.

Many people use probiotics as a bowel supplement and they can be very beneficial under under certain conditions such as…

• During or following antibiotics use
• During or after taking steroids
• While taking the contraceptive Pill
• To keep Candida Albicans at a natural, low level so as not to cause unwanted problems
• When eating more protein, fats and refined foods as keeps toxins and gasses low
• To support the natural detoxification function of the bowel - even when performing a Colon Cleansing programme
• To support the natural liver detoxification processes
• To maintain healthy cholesterol levels
• To support the body's immune system