Since were were young bacteria has alway been the enemy. The average household has at least 10 different types of anti-biotic soaps, cleansers, and mouthwashes that are dedicated to wiping out bacteria from evry surface and part of our body. So, what if i told you that you have over 3 pounds of beneficial symbiotic bacteria in your colon. It’s gross, but true.
Some bacteria are bad. But, some are actually helpful to you. They are called probiotic bacteria.
Our bodies evolved to live alongside harmful and beneficial bacteria. So what happens when overuse of antibiotics wipes out most of the bacteria that lives in our body?
Chronic diseases like CFS, allergies, athsma, and eczema are more prevalent when the immune system is imbalanced towards making antibodies and less towards killing pathogens. Many doctors are starting to believe that this may be the result of the destruction of the symbiotic bacteria that our bodies need.
Today, probiotics (beneficial bacteria) are being used successfully to treat many diseases such as ulcers. The Helicobacter pylori that causes ulcers and gastritis can be effectively treated with probiotic bacteria. Probiotic bacteria can increase the body’s immune response towards pathogens and also directly competes with H. pylori and naturally kills the bacteria. This provides an alternative to using antibiotics with may have side effects or kill more symbiotic bacteria.
It was recently discovered that the appendix (once thought to be a useless organ) may have served as a refuge for beneficial bacteria. Removal of the appendix is very common and most patients will not suffer any ill effects. But it was recently found that patients who have appendectomies have higher incidences of autoimmune diseases. The appendix serves as a safe harbor for these beneficial bacteria that in the evolutionary past might have been wiped out by diseases like cholera.
The fact that in more developed countries there is a higher rate of auto-immune disease and allergies has led doctors to the “hygiene hypothesis“.
Here is a list of diseases that can be treated or have symptoms reduced by beneficial bacteria or probiotics:
Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Colitis:
Strains of bactreia called B. infantis and Lactobacillus plantarum 299V have been show in studies to reduce symptoms of IBS. Other formulations of probiotics have been shown to work as a treatment for IBS and ulcerative colitis.
Prevention of Colon Cancer:
Recent trials have found that the strainsof probiotics may be anti-carcinogenic, by decreasing an enzyme called β-glucuronidase. There has also been found to be a lower rate of colon cancer among people who ingest yogurt and other fermented dairy products.
Lowering Blood Pressure:
Some strains of beneficial bacteria were found to produce blood pressure drug like peptides.(1) These bacteria can reduce blood pressure in human subjects.
