The presence of friendly bacteria also fills up the void in our guts, living in symbiosis with the human host that otherwise would be colonized by harmful bacteria. It is thus important to know that the bacterial flora balance is affected by the following:
- Use of antibiotics and other drugs
- Disturbed gastric function
- Disorders of intestinal motility (constipation, spastic colitis, diarrhoea, etc)
- Altered acid production from the stomach (production commonly lowers as we age)
- Conditions such as pernicious anaemia (which is accompanied by altered stomach acidity)
- Excessive stress
- Smoking & alcohol
- Changes in the structure or function of the G.I. tract such as diverticulosis or regional enteritis (Crohn’s disease)
- X-ray irradiation or other radiation exposure
- Cirrhosis of the liver Immune system deficiency
- Bacterial flora levels decline with age and also in various conditions of ill-health.
- Most chronic disease states are accompanied by (many say they are preceded by) altered G.I. tract flora.
- They are also affected to a large extent by the degree of infection due to yeasts and bacteria to which ‘their’ territory (your bowels) are subjected.
- The population greatly decreases with a diet of meat, cows’ milk, food additives, fried food, refined sugars, and carbonated drink.
- They thrive in the presence of bacteria food, like live yogurt and cottage cheese. In particular, the presence of the prebiotics called Fructo Oligosaccharides are well known to greatly enhance the growth and strength of the friendly bacteria in the intestines.
What is Bacteria Food?
It is found that the activity and strength of the friendly bacteria are greatly enhanced by certain food constituents. In particular, the prebiotics called Fructo-Oligosaccharides are well known to stimulate the growth of the friendly bacteria. Fructo-Oligosaccharides are a group of indigestible food ingredients that are capable of modifying the environment of the intestines to enhance and protect the indigenous friendly bacteria.
Human studies have shown significant increases in bifidobacteria (beneficial bacteria in the gut) and decreases in pathogenic colonic bacteria from ingestion of the Fructo-Oligosaccharides.
Research has also shown Fructo-Oligosaccharides aid in the absorption of minerals like dietary calcium and magnesium.
