What comes to your mind at the mention of ‘bacteria’? Is it something we do not discuss, or is it worth embracing. The term is widely associated with being dirty, rather unhygienic, or ill. This string of thought lingers in our subconscious. I am here to tell a different story, “most bacteria are good ”.
In the past we tend to think that the absence of microbes made people healthy. But as we're learning, bacteria are not just a source of disease-they are also a source of health. You need bacteria to live.
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Source: Sierra club (2015)
Everything you eat pass through the gastrointestinal system. This is important because your colon is lined with millions of bacteria that grow, live and mobilize to help prevent disease. These bacteria fight foreign substances, help prevent the growth of harmful bacteria, maintain your mucosal immune system, help lower serum cholesterol levels and regulate metabolism. You might have heard of gut flora, which are the live microorganisms in your intestine and that are beneficial to your health.
Bifidobacteria are intestinal bacteria found in the gut that can aid in treatment of diarrhea, ulcerative colitis, atopic eczema, yeast infections and irritable bowel syndrome.
The food you eat affect the life of the ‘good bacteria’ found in your gut. A high fat diet or too much fructose, which could come from high fructose corn syrup, can disturb your GI barrier - this is the bacteria's local defense system. Any disturbance of the GI barrier may increase your risk of infection, inflammation and disease. On the other hand, a balanced diet consisting of lots of whole , plant-based foods as opposed to processed/refined foods, supports the GI barrier and health of the ‘good bacteria’.
It is important to note that the human body contains more bacteria cells than human cells. Bacteria are actually essential to your overall health. Of course, not all bacteria have a good reputation. The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 48 million people get sick yearly from bad bacteria found in food. The ultimate effect of bad bacteria on your health is death.
Collins O.
(Microbiologist)