Intestinal flora - bacteria support health

Bacteria are usually treated with Diseases or infections and yet they are often very important in supporting health.

The human body is home to a variety of bacteria that, under normal circumstances, live peacefully with the organism. They are known by names such as microbiota, microflora and microbiome.

They are mainly found on the skin, in the respiratory tract, in the gastrointestinal tract and in the urinary tract. Since most of them are found in the gastrointestinal tract, the connection between intestinal flora and health is particularly important.

The intestinal flora plays a special role in health

The intestinal flora reacts to Nutrition and aging, environmental factors and infections, and also the use of antibiotics.

Nowhere is there more bacterial activity than in the gastrointestinal tract. The entire surface of the human intestine is like a marketplace. More than 500 different types of bacteria are active here to support normal digestion.

Bacteria receive protection and the substances they need to survive from the body. In return, they provide a healthy environment to aid digestion and protect against disease.

The intestinal flora assists in the production of vitamin

The digestive activity of the intestinal flora helps to absorb several vitamins that Folic acid (BXNUMX) and to produce certain fatty acids. In addition, the byproducts of bacterial activities contribute to about 10% of the daily energy requirements of humans. Bacteria that colonize the gastrointestinal tract also have a decisive influence on the immune system.

The right mix of all bacteria includes mostly benign bacteria that keep infections at bay. This contributes to good health.

However, if the balance between bacteria and the body's response is disturbed, it can cause health problems and diseases.

The right balance for a healthy intestinal flora

After or during the intake of an antibiotic, changes can occur in the intestines. Symptoms such as diarrhea indicate that the intestinal flora is out of balance. Probiotics help to counteract this imbalance.

Yoghurt and kefir help improve the intestinal flora

Probiotics
are foods or dietary supplements that contain certain "good" bacteria or types of yeast that provide health benefits.

Prebiotics
are non-digestible substances that serve as food for the probiotics.

In combination, probiotics and prebiotics form a so-called synbiotic.

synbiotics
are fermented milk products, such as live active cultures in yogurt and kefir. They contain live bacteria and fuels that “healthy” bacteria need.

The potential benefits of probiotics in combating intestinal flora imbalance are currently attracting interest from scientists and consumers. Accordingly, probiotic products are widely available as dietary supplements or as live cultures in dairy products.

In addition, studies have shown a connection between the yoghurt product Activia by Danone and an improved one Irritable Bowel Syndrome found in some patients, but only in a very limited number of studies. On the other hand, there are well-designed studies with clear evidence that the Actimel drink from Danone can prevent antibiotic-induced diarrhea.

Probiotic therapy for diseases of the intestinal flora

Research to date supports the use of probiotics as a possible additional therapy for certain intestinal diseases, including irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis (chronic inflammation of the colon), and pouchitis - an inflammation that can occur after removal of the colon due to ulcerative colitis.

Among the pathogens that disrupt the balance of intestinal bacteria, Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is one of the most problematic. C. difficile can cause a range of symptoms, ranging from diarrhea to life-threatening inflammation of the colon. C. difficile infections are becoming more common, more severe, and more difficult to treat.

These infections most commonly affect older people in hospitals and long-term care facilities after they have been treated with antibiotics. However, in recent years, otherwise healthy people have also become ill with C. difficile infection even though they were not hospitalized or taking an antibiotic.

If you suffer from the intestinal diseases listed, a conversation with the Doctorto clarify whether individual probiotic treatment can help.

The role of intestinal flora in health changes

• Changes in the intestinal flora associated with obesity
• Dietary changes that may lead to gluten intolerance.
• Inflammatory bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease), which occur with an altered intestinal flora.
• Byproducts of the intestinal flora, which can impair liver function and contribute to the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
• Dietary fats and byproducts of the intestinal flora, which may contribute to the development of atherosclerosis.
• The intestinal flora as a factor in the regulation of the nervous system.
• Autoimmune diseases such as type 1Diabetes, multiple sclerosis and regulation of the immune system by the intestinal flora.