Our Friends Within
Are you aware that the average individual holds 2-4 pounds of bacteria in their intestines? Now don’t be too alarmed by this. It is a common belief that all bacteria is detrimental, but this is far from the case. In fact, many nutritionists believe friendly bacteria or probiotics (Latin “for life”) are one of the most important supplements available to us. The most common probiotic would be Lactobacillus Acidophilus. Before World War II most people had close to 85% good bacteria versus 25% bad bacteria in their gut. As a result of stress, chlorinated water, processed high-sugar foods, and the use of medication like antibiotics, most good bacteria have been unfortunately eliminated. This is why many people take L. Acidophilus between dosages on antibiotics.
Our ancestors who came from a whole host of different countries did not have modern conveniences as we do in this country. When they needed carrots or tomatoes they went to either the garden or the market. Often times the vegetables were still coated with soil. This is how many of the bacteria infiltrated our digestive systems. Back when we were primitive man, we got dirty and we were exposed to all sorts of microbes. Without exposure to certain germs in the soil our immune system would not be exposed to various intruders. Without exposure or an awareness of certain bacteria, our immune system may become overwhelmed and turn on itself; hence, “auto immune” diseases are born. Many of the bacteria that we house in our body are of great benefit to our immune system. In nature, these friendly bacteria assist plants by breaking nutrients into easier absorbed forms. In out bodies, these little buggers, after bypassing our stomach enter our intestinal tract and immediately start to go to work. They serve many benefits, and I’ll mention a few. As the friendly bacteria work under all the layers of undigested food or putrefaction, the friendly bacteria literally lodge themselves onto our intestinal tract. They then start to ward off the current inhabitants like yeast (candida), mold, fungus, and parasites, until there is a more conducive environment. These good bacteria also act as security guards in the selective admittance of molecules into the blood from the intestines. There are several strains of good bacteria that produce B vitamins; they also produce lactase which is an enzyme that breaks down lactose (milk sugar). These bacteria are of great benefit to those individuals who are lactose intolerant. Probiotics have been shown to be nature’s antibiotic, as they possess a broad-spectrum ability to ward off many common food-borne pathogens. A common immune stimulant used by Oncologists to fight cancer occurs naturally in our bodies. It is the production of alpha-interferon by the friendly bacteria in our intestines. At Britain’s school of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Dr. David Strachan conducted a study with children who played in the dirt and exposed themselves to resident soil organisms. As opposed to children who did not get in the dirt, the dirty group had a dramatically lower rate of asthma, hay fever, and eczema. “We need dirt” explains Dr. Strachan.
As a conclusion, unless we eat directly from the soil as our forefathers have, a good probiotic may be needed into everybody’s lifestyle. Starting as a toddler to a senior citizen, friendly bacteria is definitely a friend of the family.