Guest guest Posted April 6, 2012 Report Share Posted April 6, 2012 Bacteria in the Bowel We know so little about the bacteria in the gut and what they do and then antibiotics are given and so much wiped out and how do we know what to replace. The bowel is a major part of our immune system and if it is not functioning properly then our immune system is impaired http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-You-Need-Bacteria-in-Your-Colon & id=27587 Why You Need Bacteria in Your Colon Bacteria in your colon are referred to by many different names - probiotics, good or bad bacteria, beneficial bacteria, acidophilus, disbiosis, micro flora, proflora, friendly flora, and unfriendly bacteria. I simple use good and bad bacteria to refer to all the bacteria that exist in the small intestine and your colon. Your colon has both good and bad bacteria. The good bacteria maintain the health of your colon by keeping the bad bacteria from multiplying and reducing constipation. Most people have bad bacteria as the dominant condition in their colon. You can see this by the illnesses that exist throughout the world. Most people later in their life suffer from diseases that resulted from colon neglect and abuse. Bad bacteria multiples when you, * Consume poisons such as pollution, pesticides, food additives such as preservatives, coloring, so on. * Drink alcohol * Eat processed foods * Have excess anxiety * Lack fiber in your diet * Use birth control pills * Use drugstore laxative * Use drugs and medication Good bacteria in your colon consists of hundred of species of bacteria. The good bacteria are most active in a pH of 5.9 to 6.9- an acidic environment. This makes for a healthy colon. Your colon serves as a home for the good bacteria, which ferment specific carbohydrates, which in turn keep your colon environment slightly acidic. The acid environment favors the good bacteria and keeps the bad bacteria and pathogens from multiplying. The bad bacteria create an alkaline environment and are most active in a pH of 7.1 to 7.9 Again, the good bacteria creates an acidic environment and are most active in a pH of 5.9 to 6.9 Acidophilus and Bifidus are the main good bacteria that exist in your colon. The ascending colon, on the right side of your abdomen area, has the most bacteria. The quantity of bacteria becomes less in the transverse colon and lesser in the descending colon. Eventually, little bacteria is found in the sigmoid and rectum. When good beneficial bacteria is dominant, in your colon, it prevents the spread of disease from various organisms - parasites, bacteria, viruses, fungi. The specific organisms Shigella, salmonella, viruses, encephalitis, protozoan, amebas, staph, herpes, flu, cold viruses, comphylobacter, and CMV, are the ones that creates killer diseases such as dysentery, blood poisoning, meningitis, pneumonia, influenza and encephalitis The good bacteria keep these organisms in the minority, thus preventing them from multiplying, getting into the blood, and into the different body organs. They do this by their antibiotic like secretions, lactic acid production, and other secretions, which keep their environment acidic. The good bacteria live and thrive on carbohydrates. When your body has good digestion and little carbohydrates reach your colon, the good bacteria population decreases and the bad bacteria become dominant. Good bacteria need to be fed to keep it dominant in your colon. If there are any good bacteria left in your colon, then by feeding them, you can get them to multiply. If there are not any good bacteria in your colon, then you cannot reestablish the good bacteria by eating specific carbohydrate foods. To reestablish good bacteria, under this condition, you must do a flora enema. In his book, Acidophilus and Colon Health, 1999, Webster, also says, " Indicators of a healthy colon flora are a soft but well-formed stool, with amber color and little or no odor, and that floats in water most of the time. When the stools are dry, dark brown, too solidly formed or too loose, and especially if there is a putrid odor, these are clear indicators of a putrefactive, alkaline-producing colon flora. Chronic constipation, diarrhea, and irritable bowel syndrome are often eliminated when your colon is restored and maintained at a slightly acid pH. " In his research, Webster found that feeding the remaining good bacteria edible lactose whey rejuvenates the good bacteria in your colon. By drinking 2 - 5 tablespoons or more each day in a cup of distilled water enough lactose can reach your colon to feed the good bacteria. Webster recommends doing this for 30 days. After this period you can check your stools to see if you have reactivated you good bacteria ********* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gut_flora The human body, consisting of about 100 trillion cells, carries about ten times as many microorganisms in the intestines .. [1] [2] [3] [4] The metabolic activities performed by these bacteria resemble those of an organ, leading some to liken gut bacteria to a " forgotten " organ. [5] It is estimated that these gut flora have around 100 times as many genes in aggregate as there are in the human genome. [6] Bacteria make up most of the flora in the colon [7] and 60% of the dry mass of feces .. [2] Somewhere between 300 [2] and 1000 different species live in the gut, [3] with most estimates at about 500. [4] [5] [8] However, it is probable that 99% of the bacteria come from about 30 or 40 species. [9] Fungi and protozoa also make up a part of the gut flora, but little is known about their activities. <SNIP> Acquisition of gut flora in human infantsThe gastrointestinal tract of a normal fetus is sterile. During birth and rapidly thereafter, bacteria from the mother and the surrounding environment colonize the infant's gut. Immediately after vaginal delivery, babies may have in the upper gastrointestinal tract bacterial strains derived from the mothers’ feces .. [13] Infants born by caesarean section may also be exposed to their mothers’ microflora, but the initial exposure is most likely to be from the surrounding environment such as the air, other infants, and the nursing staff which serve as vectors for transfer. [14] The primary gut flora in infants born by caesarean delivery may be disturbed for up to 6 months after birth whereas vaginally born infants take up to 1 month for their intestinal micro flora to be well established. After birth, environmental, oral and cutaneous bacteria are readily transferred from the mother to the infant through suckling, kissing, and caressing. All infants are initially colonized by large numbers of E. coli and streptococci. Within a few days, bacterial numbers reach 108 to 1010 per gram of feces .. [14] [15] During the first week of life, these bacteria create a reducing environment favorable for the subsequent bacterial succession of strict anaerobic species mainly belonging to the genera Bifidobacterium, Bacteroides , Clostridium , and Ruminococcus .. [16] Breast-fed babies become dominated by bifidobacteria, possibly due to the contents of bifidobacterial growth factors in breast milk. [17] In contrast, the microbiota of formula-fed infants is more diverse with high numbers of Enterobacteriaceae, enterococci, bifidobacteria, Bacteroides , and clostridia .. [18] [19] After the introduction of solid food and weaning, the microflora of breast-fed infants becomes similar to that of formula-fed infants. By the second year of life the fecal microflora resembles that of adults. ************ http://www.all-creatures.org/health/beneficial.html " Within the colon the concentration of bacteria reaches 1,000,000,000,000 (one trillion) organisms per gram (1/30th of an ounce) of feces. Bacteria make up about 60% of the weight of the feces. The microflora are so important to our well-being that after a person’s colon is surgically removed (colectomy), the last part of the small intestine (ilium) takes over this vital role and becomes colonized with a similar biomass of bacteria.2 " Beneficial Bowel Bacteria – Our Neglected Friends McDougall, MD http://www.drmcdougall.com My guess is the welfare of the bacteria living in our colons was not a topic for discussion at your last social gathering – but that may change. Within our intestines live trillions of organisms that are so important to our health and survival that they should be thought of as a vital organ – just like our livers or kidneys. The gut microflora is the name we give to this living factory, whose beneficial functions include: completing the digestion of our foods through fermentation, protecting us against disease-causing microbes, synthesizing water soluble vitamins, and stimulating development and function of our immune systems.1 Most people think of bacteria as dangerous and dirty. In truth, the vast majority of organisms living in this microscopic world is helpful, or at least not harmful, to our lives. Our intestinal tracts contain a complex and diverse society of disease-causing (pathogenic) and “friendly” bacteria. Rule number one is simple: dominance by the “good guys” will crowd out and leave no room in our intestines for the harmful ones. In addition to digesting remnants of our meals and synthesizing vitamins, the helpful bacteria play an important role in the development of the immune system by maintaining a constant dialog with our internal bodies through the surface of the gut. Our microflora also influences many of our hormones. The health consequences from an imbalance of our sex hormones can lead to precocious puberty, fibrocystic breast disease, PMS, uterine fibroids, prostate enlargement, and breast, uterine, and prostate cancer. When our bowel bacteria really get out of control severe forms of colitis and colon cancer can be the consequences. The Microbial Factory Bacteria are not distributed randomly throughout the intestinal tract, but are found in different numbers and kinds in different regions of the gut. The mouth provides a fertile garden for millions of bacteria; but the stomach, because of the acid, and small intestine contain very low numbers. The final five feet of the intestine, known as the large intestine or colon, works as a microbial factory with more than 500 different species of bacteria living in a 3 pound (1.5 Kg) mass of partially digested matter. Within the colon the concentration of bacteria reaches 1,000,000,000,000 (one trillion) organisms per gram (1/30th of an ounce) of feces. Bacteria make up about 60% of the weight of the feces. The microflora are so important to our well-being that after a person’s colon is surgically removed (colectomy), the last part of the small intestine (ilium) takes over this vital role and becomes colonized with a similar biomass of bacteria.2 The health of the flora can become impaired by temperature, illnesses, antibiotics and other drug treatments, and changes in our diets. The effects of antibiotic therapy can be profound and persistent, even causing a life-threatening infection with overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria (called Clostridium difficile). Benefits of a Healthy Gut Microflora Increase the natural resistance to infections from bacteria, yeast, and viruses Prevent traveler’s diarrhea Speed healing from diarrheal diseases and relapsing colitis Improve digestion Relieve constipation Stimulate the immune system Lessen symptoms of inflammatory arthritis Suppress cancer development and growth Reduce sex hormones Reduce cholesterol and triglycerides Colonization Begins with the Newborn Before birth the gastrointestinal tract of a normal fetus is sterile. During the birth process the newborn is inoculated, by passage through the birth canal, with organisms from the mother’s vagina and bowel.3 Benefits to the infant begin immediately with this natural defense barrier of “friendly” bacteria standing against harmful microbes that will enter later on with touching, suckling, kissing, and caressing. The importance of this early invasion should not be underestimated. This initial invasion makes a permanent impression on our immune systems, thereby affecting a person’s well-being throughout his or her life. Newborns delivered by cesarean section do not get a healthy dose of mother’s bacteria. Born through the abdomen, much of their initial bacteria come from the unhygienic environment of a hospital. However, this setback can be remedied by the initiation of proper infant feeding after birth – and helped by the addition of infant probiotics (see below). Breast feeding encourages the growth of “friendly” bacteria known as Bifidobacterium. These vital organisms protect the baby from gastrointestinal infections that can result in illnesses severe enough to require hospitalization, and sometimes cause death. Mother’s milk contains sugars (galacto-oligosaccharides) which encourage the growth of these friendly bacteria. By the fourth day of life, Bifidobacterium represent 48% of the bacteria in breast-fed infants as opposed to 15% in bottle-fed infants.4 Eventually, over 95% of the bacteria become Bifidobacterium bacteria in an exclusively breast-fed baby. Introduction of small amounts of formula to a breast-fed baby will result in shifts from a breast-fed to a formula-fed pattern of the microflora. After weaning from breast milk – ideally after the age of 2 years – the child’s flora become similar to an adult’s. Change the Diet – Change the Microflora The partially digested remnants of our meals, after arrival in our large intestines, become the foods for our microflora. Each species of bacteria survives best on specific kinds of nutrients. In short, “friendly” bacteria prefer to dine on plant-food remnants, and pathogens thrive when the diet is low in plant foods and high in meat and other “junk-food.” Therefore, what we choose to eat determines the predominance of the bacteria species that will live in our gut. By changing from a diet based on animal- and highly processed-foods to whole plant-foods, you can suppress the growth of harmful bacteria and stimulate those that are beneficial. Major alterations in the microflora take place within one to two weeks of changing a person’s diet.5 Bacteria enjoy the parts of the plant foods that we don’t use. Undigestible complex carbohydrates, known as dietary fiber, and other smaller undigestible sugars, called oligosaccharides, provide the bulk of the food for our bowel bacteria. Only plants contain these complex and simple carbohydrates (except for milk as above). The undigestible simple sugars are abundant in artichokes, onions, chicory, garlic, leeks, and to a lesser extent, cereals. Beans, peas, and lentils contain the oligosaccharides, raffinose and stachyose, that feed our bowel bacteria and, quite noticeably, form the infamous flatus. Purified wood cellulose, which has been used to manufacture some “high-fiber breads,” is not broken down by the microflora. Because only plants contain these microflora-nourishing sugars, strict vegetarians (vegans) have been found to harbor much higher counts of “friendly” bacteria than do meat eaters.6,7 Manipulating Our Microflora with Probiotic Supplements Purposefully adding particular species of bacteria has the potential of rebalancing the intestines and thereby improving a person’s health. Probiotics are used for this purpose and are sold as foods and pills (supplements) that contain millions of friendly bacteria, and sometimes yeast. Probiotics can be purchased in the natural food stores – they are usually found in the refrigerated section; some are labeled as “newborn formulas” and others are sold for improving the flora of a child or adult. Probiotics have no toxic effects. Scientific research has discovered specific species of bacteria must be used in order to achieve specific benefits when treating health problems. Conditions Helped by Specific Probiotics8-14 Used as single agents or in combinations Dental Caries: Lactobacillus rhamnosus (GG) H. Pylori (stomach ulcer): Lactobacillus johnsonii Lactobacillus paracasei Acute and Chronic Diarrhea: Lactobacillus acidophilus Lactobacillus casei Lactobacillus reuteri Lactobacillus rhamnosus (GG) Bifidobacteria bifidum Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Lactobacillus acidophilus Lactobacillus plantarum Lactose Intolerance: Lactobacillus acidophilus Lactobacillus bulgaricus Bifidobacteria longum Constipation: Lactobacillus casei Lactobacillus reuteri Lactobacillus rhamnosus (GG) Bifidobacteria animals Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast)Propionibacterium freudenreichii Crohn’s Disease: Lactobacillus rhamnosus (GG)Saccharomyces boulardii Escherichia coli, Nissle strain (1917) Ulcerative Colitis: Escherichia coli, Nissle strain (1917) BIFICO (3 Bifidobacteria species) Saccharomyces boulardii VLS 3 brand (Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria) Diverticular Disease of Colon: Escherichia coli, Nissle strain (1917) Vaginal Candida: Lactobacillus acidophilus Lactobacillus rhamnosus (GG) Lactobacillus fermentum Elevated Cholesterol: Lactobacillus acidophilus Lactobacillus bulgaricus Lactobacillus plantarum Streptococcus thermophilus Enterococcus faecium Elevated Blood Sugar (Diabetes): Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) Rheumatoid Arthritis: Lactobacillus rhamnosus (GG) Eczema (atopic dermatis): Bifidobacteria lactis Streptococcus thermophilus Lactobacillus rhamnosus (GG) Premenstrual Syndrome: Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) General Immunity: Lactobacillus plantarum Lactobacillus johnsonii Lactobacillus rhamnosus Bifidobacteria lactis Bifidobacteria bifidum Escherichia coli, Nissle strain (1917) Growth or Weight of Infants: Bifidobacteria bifidum Bifidobacteria breve Streptococcus thermophilus Colon Cancer Prevention Bifidobacterium Prebiotics and Synbiotics Prebiotics are nondigestible simple sugars (oligosaccharides) sold as pills and liquids that stimulate the growth and/or activity of “friendly” bacteria already present in our intestines. Prebiotics are very effective for relieving constipation, and hold some promise for the prevention of gallstones and for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases. Examples of undigestible sugars used as prebiotics are: FOS (fructooligosaccharides), GOS (galactooligosaccharides), inulin (not insulin), lactulose, and lactitol. Two prebiotics prescribed by doctors, lactulose and lactitol, have been effectively used to treat patients with liver failure (hepatic encephalopathy).5 They may also be helpful in the prevention of colon cancer.13,14 These commercial products have no toxic effects. They can act as a mild laxative in small amounts, but may produce flatulence when consumed in large amounts. Combining probiotics (the bacteria) with prebiotics (the bacteria’s food) results in a logical partnership, called synbiotics. You will most often find synbiotic products sold as mixtures of bacteria with FOS. Because the McDougall diet is made of starches, vegetables and fruits which contain a wide variety of undigestible sugars that feed and stimulate the growth of “friendly” bacteria, people consuming such a diet require no additional prebiotics to obtain optimal health benefits form their microflora (natural or enhanced by probiotics). Dairy as a Probiotic Source The best known examples of food with probiotics are yogurts containing lactic acid-producing bacteria, called Lactobacillus bulgaricus. These organisms are non-toxic and survive passage through the intestine. However, they cannot live and reproduce in the colon (they do not colonize the colon); therefore, they must be ingested regularly for any health promoting properties to persist. I do not recommend yogurt as a source of friendly bacteria for two reasons. First, these bacteria’s beneficial effects have not been conclusively proven.15 More importantly, yogurt brings with it all the negative qualities of dairy products: high in fat and cholesterol, allergy producing dairy proteins, and infection with harmful viruses and bacteria. (See my May 2003 newsletter article “Marketing Milk and Disease.”) Acidophilus milk is made by culturing milk with Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria and has similar drawbacks.16 Any benefits provided by any species of Lactobacillus can be obtained much more safely and effectively in supplement forms (pills), avoiding the health risks of dairy products. Who Should Alter Their Gut Bacteria? Everyone should encourage the growth of a healthy microflora by eating the right foods, and avoiding antibiotics, whenever possible. This means a “breast milk diet” for infants and a healthy pure vegetarian diet (like the McDougall diet) for children and adults. Newborns, delivered by cesarean section, and bottle-fed babies may benefit from probiotics specifically designed for infant use. Probiotics may be warranted after a course of prescribed antibiotics in order to help reestablish a healthy gut flora. Lastly, if, after doing all you can for yourself with a healthy diet and lifestyle, you still suffer from unresolved problems, such as irregular bowel movements, indigestion, elevated cholesterol, or arthritis, then you may want to try enhancing the activity of your microflora with these kinds of supplements. You have little to lose – there are no undesirable side effects and the costs are minimal. You have everything to gain with the probability of improved health thanks to your always working factory of “friendly” microflora. References: 1) Guarner F, Malagelada JR. Gut flora in health and disease. Lancet. 2003 Feb 8;361(9356):512-9. 2) Christl SU, Scheppach W. Metabolic consequences of total colectomy. Scand J Gastroenterol Suppl. 1997;222:20-4. 3) Mackie RI, Sghir A, Gaskins HR. Developmental microbial ecology of the neonatal gastrointestinal tract. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999 May;69(5):1035S-1045S. 4) Rubaltelli FF, Biadaioli R, Pecile P, tti P. Intestinal flora in breast- and bottle-fed infants. J Perinat Med. 1998;26(3):186-91. 5) Peltonen R, Ling WH, Hanninen O, Eerola E. An uncooked vegan diet shifts the profile of human fecal microflora: computerized analysis of direct stool sample gas-liquid chromatography profiles of bacterial cellular fatty acids. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1992 Nov;58(11):3660-6. 6) Reddy BS, Weisburger JH, Wynder EL. Effects of high risk and low risk diets for colon carcinogenesis on fecal microflora and steroids in man. J Nutr. 1975 Jul;105(7):878-84. 7) Toivanen P, Eerola E. A vegan diet changes the intestinal flora. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2002 Aug;41(8):950-1. 8) Montrose DC, Floch MH. Probiotics used in human studies. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2005 Jul;39(6):469-84. 9) Fedorak RN, Madsen KL. Probiotics and prebiotics in gastrointestinal disorders. Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 2004 Mar;20(2)146-55. 10) Salminen SJ, Gueimonde M, Isolauri E. Probiotics that modify disease risk. J Nutr. 2005 May;135(5):1294-8. 11) Sartor RB. Probiotic therapy of intestinal inflammation and infections. Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 2005 Jan;21(1):44-50. 12) Peltonen R, Nenonen M, Helve T, Hanninen O, Toivanen P, Eerola E. Faecal microbial flora and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis during a vegan diet. Br J Rheumatol. 1997 Jan;36(1):64-8. 13) Reddy BS. Prevention of colon cancer by pre- and probiotics: evidence from laboratory studies. Br J Nutr. 1998 Oct;80(4):S219-23. 14) Buddington RK, CH, Chen SC, Witherly SA. Dietary supplement of neosugar alters the fecal flora and decreases activities of some reductive enzymes in human subjects. Am J Clin Nutr. 1996 May;63(5):709-16. 15) Adolfsson O, Meydani SN, RM. Yogurt and gut function. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 Aug;80(2):245-56. 16) Wheeler JG, Shema SJ, Bogle ML, Shirrell MA, Burks AW, Pittler A, Helm RM. Immune and clinical impact of Lactobacillus acidophilus on asthma. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 1997 Sep;79(3):229-33. ©2005 McDougall ********************** http://www.ctds.info/helpful_bacteria.html read at webpage for better formatting excerpt The role of beneficial bacteria includes the following functions: Synthesize vitamin K. Vitamin K is needed to clot the blood and keep bones strong. Deficiencies of vitamin K include a wide variety of problems including menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding), frequent nose bleeds, hematuria (blood in the urine), ovarian pain, osteoporosis and fractures. Keep invading bacteria, viruses and yeasts in check. Antibiotics can destroy friendly bacteria, which is why many women get yeast infections after taking antibiotics. Manufacture the milk digesting enzyme lactase which is needed to digest most dairy products. Aid in the absorption of magnesium. Magnesium is used for hundreds of different functions throughout the body, so a magnesium deficiency can have dramatic impacts on a person's health. Many of the common disorders of today such as asthma and migraines have been closely linked to low magnesium levels. Change the local levels of acidity to kill harmful bacteria. Manufacture various B vitamins. Prevent toxicity from nitrites. read at webpage for better formatting Sheri Nakken, R.N., MA, Hahnemannian Homeopath http://homeopathycures.wordpress.com/ & http://vaccinationdangers.wordpress.com/ ONLINE/Email classes in Homeopathy; Vaccine Dangers; Childhood Diseases Next classes start September 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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