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15
Probiotics and Bacteria.
The fact is that without bacteria we will not survive! They are not
as deadly as we think after all. It is only a very small percentage of
them that cause harm, most of them are innoxious. For instance
there are over 2500 strains of Salmonella but only two of them
can cause the dreaded symptoms that can terrorise the victim and his/her family. It may
sound very frightening to know that in fact Salmonella live in our guts along with E-Coli, yes
you are reading right: two bacteria known to cause so much havoc! They live in our digestive
system, also known as the gut microflora, and while they share our ambient in return they
provide us with important vitamins and nutrients.
However, things may go wrong if they become too comfortable and over populate the
microflora. Here is where the bacteria we hear about come to the rescue. These 'good'
bacteria help keep the population of the 'harmful' bacteria in place. Overpopulation
produces excessive gases (hydrogen sulphide, H2S) hence bloating, diarrhoea, cramps and
other symptoms of great discomfort.
What are Probiotics?
Probiotics are dietary supplements containing potentially beneficial bacteria or yeast,
however lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are the most common microbes used.
Currently, there is huge interest in the use of foods which may exert a positive functional
effect on our health. Two of these 'functional foods' are known as probiotics and
prebiotics, both of which have a favourable effect on the 'good' bacteria that reside in
our gut microflora. These 'good' bacteria live naturally in our intestines and are essential
to good health having a number of positive effects, primarily helping our digestive systems
work efficiently. This concept was first promoted by a Russian scientist in 1907!
The 1908, Nobel Prize-winning scientist Elie Metchnikoff of the Pasteur Institute in Paris
provided the first evidence that microorganisms may be responsible for the health-
promoting effects of fermented milks. After observing that Bulgarian peasants lived to
ripe, old ages, Metchnikoff became convinced that their health and longevity were linked to
microbes in the soured milk they copiously drank. He suggested that disease-causing 'bad'
bacteria could be eliminated by ingesting large amounts of Bulgarian sour milk, which
contained a beneficial 'good' bacterium later identified as Lactobacillus bulgaricus.
Probiotics help our digestive system work efficiently, e.g. bifidus, lactobacillus and
acidopilus 'A preparation or product containing viable, defined micro-organisms in
sufficient numbers, which alter the microflora of the host intestine and, by that, exert
beneficial health effects on the host'.
Probiotics may be found in live yoghurts or specially formulated powders, supplement pills
or probiotic drinks which contain one or more of the strains of these bacteria. With food
processing, pollution and antibiotic therapy, the numbers of bacteria living naturally in our
gut are reduced, and research has shown that active consumption of bacteria increases the
size of intestinal colonies, thereby improving digestion of food. Moreover, numerous
studies have also shown that with optimal numbers of 'good' bacteria, the immune system
is improved, increasing our ability to fight disease. Probiotics may also have a role in
reducing the severity of food allergies and intolerances, and may help reduce severity of
symptoms in both osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis.
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