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A few years ago, when my daughter was only two years old, she got an ear infection. Her doctor put her on antibiotics.
A week later she recovered from it but very soon afterwards she got sick again and required another course of antibiotics. Before I knew it, she had completed three courses of antibiotics in a matter of six months and her immunity seemed to be at its lowest.
"What's going on?" I thought. And, then I realised what's going on. The antibiotics she took completely wiped out all the bacteria in her digestive tract - the good and the bad ones. And, she was left with no army to defend her!
Over 400 species of friendly bacteria inhabit the human digestive tract. The thousands of billions of tiny bacteria living in the average adult's digestive tract weigh about 3.5 pounds. They are absolutely essential to our health and well-being. Without strong and viable colonies of these bacteria, the body will lose its immunity functions. These bacteria act as a guardian that can help us ward off many illnesses and boost our immune system.
The good news is that we have (or should have) billions of these bacteria inside our body right now. They live and work in colonies that they form in the small and large intestines. As a result, the health of these friendly bacteria depends on us.
Although the use of antibiotics is sometimes necessary for certain illnesses, these drugs cannot tell the difference between friendly bacteria that are essential to our health and the dangerous bacteria that cause illness and disease. In an attempt to rid the body of harmful bacteria, antibiotics also kill the friendly bacteria in the gut, allowing dangerous pathogens to take hold. When we lose too many members of these friendly colonies, our first line of defence is weakened, leaving our body open to infection and disease.
In other words, every treatment of antibiotics, although it often addresses the current health condition and symptoms, contributes to the further depletion of the immune system, making us more susceptible to disease the next time around. And, hence the vicious cycle.
What else affects these bacteria? Over-the-counter and prescription drugs, such as cortisone and birth control pills, wear down the normal levels of beneficial bacteria in the intestines. Radiation and chemotherapy treatments, environmental pollutants, food additives, alcohol, tobacco smoke, stress and strong herbs also impact friendly bacteria negatively.
Our diet is another critical factor. Salads and vegetables feed the friendly bacteria, while spicy foods and refined white products damage them.
Frequent use of antacids and laxatives are also factors that affect our intestinal bacteria. Antacids are designed to neutralise or absorb the acid in our digestive tract. Hydrochloric acid in the stomach, however, is crucial for proper digestion and destruction of harmful bacteria that would otherwise escape into the intestines. Frequent use of antacids quickly shifts the acid environment and makes it highly favourable for harmful bacteria.
Is there good news? Given a chance, these friendly bacteria are fierce competitors and they will work hard at maintaining a hostile environment against intruders.
So, in addition to avoiding or minimising the above factors, replacing the friendly bacteria such as acidophilus and bifidobacteria is very important.These friendly bacteria not only produce substances such as vitamins, amino acids, antibiotics, and other antimicrobial substances, but they are also necessary for maximising the absorption and utilisation of protein and other nutrients such as calcium, magnesium and iron. They also produce several vitamins, including B-complex, vitamins A and K, and the enzyme needed to digest dairy products (lactase).
Moreover, they can boost immune function and cancel out the effects of toxins and environmental pollutants. They prevent and correct many bowel problems, including constipation, diarrhoea, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome; and they also protect against urinary tract infections.
How do you get them? Friendly intestinal bacteria are referred to as probiotics. You can find them in supplement capsules at health shops or sometimes in good-quality live yoghurt.
Supplements of friendly bacteria should be taken daily during illness. Doses of these supplements differ according to the individual's age and needs. They have no side-effects and many benefits. They come in freeze-dried powder form or capsules.
It is especially important to supplement with probiotics when on an antibiotics course and for two weeks after. In this case, supplements should be taken two hours after each antibiotics dose.
Probiotics supplements are favourable for everyone. Their use is not limited to adults, as they are just as necessary for children and babies. The friendly bacteria in the digestive tract of babies are called bifidobacteria infantis.
These bacteria are especially important for babies delivered by caesarean section, as they would usually get their friendly bacteria from the mother's vaginal tract during delivery. Probiotics are also important for babies who are not breastfed and those who suffer digestive disturbances.
Pregnant women and nursing mothers also need probiotics supplements. Others who can benefit are those suffering from certain digestive illnesses, or related illnesses such as skin conditions, food intolerances, and allergies. People undergoing surgery or those who have a history of taking antibiotics might also find probiotics helpful.
In a nutshell, the state of the friendly bacteria in the intestines affects just about every part of the body, including our mental state. When our small and large intestines are fully colonised with friendly bacteria, our first line of defence is solidly in place and our body is ready to stand firm against harmful bacteria.
For more information or to book a workshop for your organisation, contact me through my website at www.AliaAlmoayed.com
