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Friendly Bacteria Keeping Out Pathogens

By Tracy Kerr-Walshe

When you’re sick with an infection, nothing works as fast or effectively as antibiotics. However, before World War II, scientists at the Pasteur Institute in Paris, France were looking at long-living, healthy Bulgarian peasants who had a penchant for yogurt.

The lactobacillus gg, a strain of friendly bacteria, in the yogurt was believed to be the key to good health. It was discovered that other strains of beneficial microorganisms could be used to treat infections in the vagina or gut. Even though antibiotics took center stage, some scientists are still studying the validity of probiotic foods and supplements to determine their disease-fighting, illness-fighting properties.

Friendly Bacteria In The Large Intestine

Bifidobacteria is a species of friendly bacteria that flourishes in the large intestine. British scientists discovered that depleted levels of these beneficial bacteria left a vacuum for toxic clostridium bacteria to develop, leading to bowel cancer. They found that 3 billion organisms per day could significantly lower the level of clostridia in the bowel and reduce the concentration of cancerous chemicals.

Additionally, toxic bacterial enzymes in the large intestine, beta-glucuronidase and glycholate hydrolase, convert constituents of stool into dangerous carcinogens. Regular consumption of FOS-rich foods or review your options and taking a one-teaspoon-a-day supplement may be a key factor in preventing colon cancer.

Garlic, Onion And Asparagus Are Examples Of Probiotic Food

The friendly bifidobacteria is found in probiotic foods like garlic, onion, artichoke, asparagus and chicory root. Synthetic probiotics supplements called FOS (fructooligosaccharides) may also be taken.

A recent study of 50 patients at University Hospital in Lund, Sweden determined that friendly bacteria probiotic products were just as effective as antiseptics in preventing ventilator-caused pneumonia.

Reducing Pathogenic Microorganisms

Study leader Bengt Klarin said, "We hypothesised that swabbing the mouth with probiotics would be an effective (and microbiologically attractive) method of reducing pathogenic oral microorganisms in intubated, mechanically ventilated, critically ill patients." He said that the risk of developing pneumonia increases 1% each additional day of mechanical ventilation.

Normal antiseptics often have adverse side effects like tooth discoloration, irritation and allergic reactions, but the L. plantarum friendly bacteria, commonly found in saliva, pickles and sauerkraut has no adverse effects. Even though the study was short-lived and relatively small, this discovery has huge potential in preventing infectious hospital-related illnesses.

Probiotic Treatment As Preventative Medicine

Admittedly, the overall research on probiotic products is scant. The Harvard Health Letter from March 2002 explained: "Probiotics have been oversold. The claims are seductive: pills, powders, and solutions containing friendly bacteria will boost the immune system, prevent cancer, and perform assorted other health miracles."

They went on to say that, despite all the hype, there is some evidence that probiotic treatment could become a powerful form of preventative medicine one day.

Please Note: All information given on this site is for general information purposes and is not to replace any medical opinion or medical diagnosis given by a qualified medical doctor, a dietitian/nutritional expert or any other medical expert, as individual circumstances may vary. Please see your medical doctor, before any action is taken to alleviate symptoms.

This Article was about Friendly Bacteria.

About the Author:
Tracy Kerr-Walshe is an author of articles on nutrition, healthy food, diet and weight loss including Protein Diets, Organic Foods, Healthy Snacks, Effective Weight Loss, Full Body Detox, Juice Fasting.
Keep a lookout for more of her articles coming soon.

More Facts About Probiotics...

What do probiotics do for me?
In order to understand how a probiotic works for you, you first have to understand your body. Your body naturally contains microbes and other flora. These microbes and flora work together in your digestive tract to help digest and move your food along. When a person becomes ill or has a disease such as Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome, there is an introduction of bad microbes.

These bad microbes make you sick the same way that certain bad bacterium makes you sick. The doctor will usually prescribe an antibiotic to kill off the bad microbes and bacterium. The problem is that it also kills off the good bacterium that is found naturally in the body.

You can use a probiotic such as lactic acid bacteria to help your body get back to its normal rhythm. A probiotic, essentially, works to ensure that your body functions regularly again and that it is healthy.