Bacteria is often associated with disease and death, and for good reason. For centuries it was one of the leading causes of mortality around the world. Scientists have discovered thousands of different types of bacteria that live in and around us. But one of the more surprising discoveries was that there are legions of bacteria living in your gut and on your skin that perform activities necessary to keep you healthy.
Lactobacillus
Your body uses bacteria to help in the digestion and fermentation of starches and plant products. According to Dr. Gabe Mirkin, lactobacillus can help control the frequency and severity of infectious diarrhea in children. If your child is taking antibiotics, they will often destroy the good bacteria as well. Taking lactobacillus with antibiotics can help to prevent diarrhea.
Bifidobacterium and Streptococcus
Streptococcus is frequently associated with the throat infections commonly abbreviated "strep throat." However, according to researchers from St. Mark's Hospital in London, a combination of bifidobacterium, streptococcus and lactobacillus will help to control the frequency and severity of ulcerative colitis. Researchers T. Mimura and F. Rizzello found that a once daily dose of the probiotic combination can effectively maintain antibiotic-induced remission of pouchitis. This is a condition that results after the removal of a portion of the intestines to treat ulcerative colitis.
E. coli
E. coli is another form of bacteria that has multiple strains. According to the University of Kansas, E. coli is necessary to perform specific operations within the intestines to keep you healthy. Along with other bacteria, E. coli produces necessary vitamins, such as vitamin K and B-complex vitamins. However, another strain of E. coli is not so beneficial and can cause significant illness and food poisoning. E. coli that also migrates out of the intestines and into the lungs or blood of immune-compromised individuals can cause significant, and even fatal, illnesses. According to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, this is E. coli O157:H7. The numbers and letters help researchers identify the different strains of the bacteria.
References
- Dr. Mirkin: Nutrition Reports
- "Gut: An International Journal of Gastroenterology and Heptology": Once daily high dose probiotic therapy (VSL#3) for maintaining remission in recurrent or refractory pouchitis; T. Mimura and F. Rizzello; January 2004
- University of Kansas: Bugs in the News
- Health Protection Surveillance Centre: Gastroenteric
