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They are found in moist environments, from Antarctic ice to boiling hydrothermal vents, to the interior of the digestive system.
Bacteria are the most abundant life form on the planet.
Most of these bacteria do not cause any harm to the body. In reality, many of these organisms are very important for survival.
Bacteria help digest food, help trees grow, and are important in recycling nutrients in the environment.
They are also used in biotechnology applications to produce everything from food to energy to clean water.
Role of bacteria
Bacteria in the digestive system help digest substances that the human body cannot break down, such as many carbohydrates and short-chain fatty acids.
It is essential to keep this population of bacteria healthy. Eating probiotics can help replenish good gut bacteria.
The administration of unnecessary antibiotics can harm this community. When this happens, symptoms such as diarrhea or stomach pain often occur.
Every healthy human being has trillions of bacteria in his body.
Colonies of beneficial species provide a wide range of critical functions, such as:
- Protect the intestine and intestinal walls from foreign invaders.
- Eliminate toxins from the body.
- Facilitate the absorption of specific vitamins and minerals.
- Improve digestive regularity and eliminate harmful bacteria.
As long as the number of beneficial bacteria remains high in the body, the harmful bacteria populations are kept in check; the immune system remains balanced.
However, modern diets can reduce beneficial bacteria to the point where harmful bacteria flourish and wreak havoc on the body, from constipation to behavioral problems, compromised immune systems, and cancer.
Foods that are thoroughly cooked, pasteurized, highly processed, or irradiated does not contain bacteria.
All are eliminated, both harmful and beneficial. Today’s fear of harmful bacteria has led to the destruction of all bacteria in food.
As a result, many individuals have compromised immune and digestive systems; they become a haven for harmful bacteria and cause inflammatory diseases.
Too many sweetened foods or processed carbohydrates, as well as medications and toxins in food, increase the number of opportunistic fungi and bacteria and upset the delicate microbial balance in the gut.
A solid and beneficial bacterial presence calms the immune system and often improves inflammatory symptoms such as arthritis, general pain, stiffness, swelling, and depression.
Consumption of beneficial bacteria
Historically, people have eaten raw fermented foods to supplement their daily diet with live, beneficial bacteria.
Some European cultures eat sauerkraut (fermented cabbage) with sausages.
Indian cultures eat yogurt (fermented milk) with curry and drink yogurt drinks (lassi) after meals.
Koreans eat kimchi (fermented vegetables) with stir fry.
The Japanese eat pickled ginger and soy sauce (fermented soybeans) with sushi.
Many Mediterranean countries enjoy fermented meats (e.g., salami) and cheeses.
Even in earlier times, fermented beverages like mead and beer, wine, and homemade cider (unpasteurized) protected people despite the lack of modern sanitation technology.
Probiotics
Most individuals cannot get an ample supply of beneficial bacteria in their regular diet, but they can easily supplement with probiotics and latent beneficial bacteria.
There are many different brands and bacterial strains available. Acidophilus is perhaps the most popular strain.
However, most people get the best benefit from a probiotic that includes a wide variety of strains, not just one, and a large number of bacteria.
Probiotics can be found in supplements and certain foods, such as yogurt, kefir, kimchi, and sauerkraut.
There are indications that probiotics may be helpful for other conditions as well.
Doctors may prescribe supplements or foods that naturally have probiotics to change the bacteria in the intestines.
The use of probiotics is usually recommended after the administration of antibiotics.
Antibiotics fight bacteria in the body without discriminating between beneficial and pathogenic strains.
Probiotics are effective in replacing beneficial bacteria in the body.
Among the characteristics of probiotics are:
- There are different strains, or types, of probiotics. If the doctor recommends it, he should be sure to find the exact song.
- A probiotic strain does not work the same for everyone since everyone has slightly different bacteria. The types of bacteria that live in your body depend on your lifestyle and health. A change in your weight can change the bacteria in your body.
- The Food and Drug Administration does not regulate probiotic supplements like medications are.
- The use of probiotic supplements is generally safe. However, mild side effects are likely to occur.
- Probiotic food sources are a less powerful but safer option than supplements.
Foods that contain probiotics
Some foods rich in probiotics are:
- Yogurt.
- Kefir.
- Kimchi.
- Chucrut.
- Miso.
- Tempeh.
- Olives and pickles.
- Cheese.
- Buttermilk
- Kombucha y kvass.
- Natto.
