Building Health from the Right End

See the next article for PROBIOTICS. Don't forget about Prebiotics.

Many people simply start a health program from the wrong end. It's as important how things come out rather then just what goes in. Good nutrients if left in the intestinal tract too long begin to change into not so desirable elements. Also, and quite critical, is what type of bacteria they promote in this undesirable form.**

First Concept: PROPER ELIMINATION                                      

Here we are talking about fecal material transit time, frequency, consistency, shape (size, diameter and length), color somewhat, and smell. Did anyone ever tell you about the proper characteristics? Should they float or sink? What does it represent if they are hard round balls smashed together, or separated like marbles? Should you have to push holding your breath to get it out, or should it just flow out without much effort? Just what is the proper consistency for a normal healthy intestinal tract?

It's not an easy topic to talk about but one that has far reaching ramifications for health. Most people are too eager to reach for a laxative when bowels get sluggish. Many people get addicted to them. Before that happens, there is another way using diet, liquids, and exercise that works better, although not quite as fast. This rightway protects the intestinal tract from long term damage. Let's quickly look at how the intestinal tract system functions so you will be able to see how and where disastrous consequences develop over time from the overuse of laxatives. 

• After chewing to break up food size, Mouth enzymes begin breakdown of certain foods
• After swallowing, Esophagus carries food to stomach pass heart, lungs, and diaphragm
• Stomach acids breakdown proteins.
• Completely digested proteins and partially digested other food elements enter into upper small intestine where added bile acids digest fats.
• Middle section of small intestines gets pancreatic enzymes to finish breakdown of carbohydrates and begin absorption process for all nutrients.
• Last section of intestines cleans up left overs and sends now completely broken down nutrients to the liver for processing.
• There is a constant pulsating muscular action that continuously runs in waves the length of the small intestines which moves food elements and fibers mixed with growing "probioitic" bacteria** through the intestinal channel.
• These friendly bacteria are involved in the digestion process as well as in immune functions, (ref) plus they also make some vitamins for the body, i.e. vitamin K and some B vitamins. 
• Some Bacteria are literally part of our FOOD. 
• The remaining materials, mostly fibers,  after the intestinal tract has absorbed out what it could from the food, empties into the 6 foot long colon.
• In the colon, water is withdrawn from this material if the body needs it before elimination. 
• Extra nutrients such as calcium could also be pulled out here if blood levels are still low by action of vitamin D.  
• Enough fluids and fibers need to be consumed to supply both the body needs and to keep the fecal material soft enough to respond to the peristaltic wave like movements and move through the intestinal tract at the proper speed.
• Proper movement of food material through the digestive channel is governed by these 4 factors. 

1. Muscle action from body movement, includes movement of diaphragm from laughing, singing, crying, and crawling, etc
2. Sufficient fibers both soluble and insoluble for this muscle action to have something in the intestines and colon to push along
3. Fluids including water to keep the material flowing and to create solutions for the mixing of the enzymes and other digestive and food material.
4. A relaxed, controlled, and calm mind to prevent stress from hindering rhythmic muscle action of alternating contraction and relaxation to achieve and maintain the wave like motion throughout the digestive tract, plus to also maintain the proper secretion amounts of digestive juices. 

There are two kinds of laxatives. One that simply supplies fibers missing from low fiber food choices which still needs the above actions for proper function. The other type includes an ingredient that the body views as toxic which speeds up the peristaltic muscle wave action to quickly expel out the irritant. This action if it occurs too often will begin to breakdown the natural actions of the intestinal tract.

This irritant type will especially damage the sytem if the element acts as a neurotoxin to accomplish this laxative result. This short circuits the nerve cells which are plentiful in participating in the digestive and peristalsis process. Once the nerve cells are damaged, the continual use of laxatives becomes less effective over time, the peristaltic muscles reduce function and actions, the wrong bacteria take over and irritable bowel syndrome is full blown. Uncontrollable and intermittent diarrhea and constipation result

You do not want to hinder mother nature's perfect plan. Do not fool yourself by thinking natural laxatives are any safer, senna is also a mild neurotoxin. Be sure to consume more natural high fiber foods such as whole grains, beans, with vegetables and fruits. Milk, white flour, and meats have almost no fiber. 

A few lifestyle changes and diet modifications now will keep your elimination in tip top shape for the rest of your life.

Notice: Some people may have genetic quarks in their diegestive system that make proper elimination difficult. Only after all natural processes are tried and maintained without results should laxatives or drugs be used with medical supervision. 

**SEAL THE DEAL PROBIOITCS

This tidbit of info might help cement the concept. Cattle raised in pasture eating grass and hay produce little e-coli bacteria. But, when they eat grains in the feedlots, e-coli production runs rampant, sometimes increasing over 1000%. Is it any wonder there are now so many disease outbreaks from meat contamination? Grains cause a different set of bacteria to grow dominate that does not produce as much omega 3 and CLA in meat. There is a process where cattle are feed a pasture type diet just before processing to lower their e-coli content, but this also somewhat lowers their weight. This process is called back-grounding. You now know why feedlot cattle have to be given so many antibiotics. Does this bacterial change also occur in humans?

Yes, it does. This should seal the deal. At the University of California, Davis, Scientists discovered that a strain of bacteria, Bifidobacterium Longum subsp. Infantis, that historically dominated the intestinal tract of infants, is rapidly disappearing in the developed Western world while it is still dominantly found in infants living in non-industrialized areas of the world. Evidently, many modern dietary and medical practices are changing the type of bacteria that dominates. Here are possible causes; antibiotics, cesarean births, excessive sanitation, and use of infant formulas over breast milk. Today, less than 10% of infants born in the western world exhibit this valuable bacterium in their intestinal tracts. ref

SIDEBAR: Formulas today are being improved to include this bacteria strain as well as prebiotics like GOS and FOS that feed them.

Another scientific researcher group also discovered this situation from a rather unique paradox of breast milk. They wanted to know why breast milk contains a nutrient that infants are not able to digest at this stage in their intestinal tract development. It turns out that this nutrient, oligosaccharides, is not for the infant, but rather it is to feed the growth of bifidobacterium including B.Infantis. ref ref These bacteria then are able to turn the oligosaccharides into nutritional forms that the infant can digest and needs to develop a healthy system. When B. infantis dominates, the infant and later child develop a stronger immune system. This action reduces the possibility of future infections and diseases from pathogenic bacteria, the tendency for allergies, and prevents obesity and may even limit type 1 diabetes.

The researchers are looking to study if B. Infantis added during the first year or two of life will give infants better health in the future with reductions of colic, allergies, asthma, obesity, diabetes, heart disease and even certain cancers might be related. Since the process of disappearing presence of B. Infantis has been working for so long, even Mothers are now deficient, so both Mom and Baby could benefit from supplements of B. Infantis plus oligosaccharides, whether or not breast feeding is an option.

CAUTION: The use of probiotics in infants is not without some potential problems. Tested coded strains are needed to verify benefits and limit any possible detrimental actions. Non-coded strains should not be used. Coded strains list a number or letter code after the strain name in the ingredient box on labels. Plus, there could be dosage limits that need to be respected. This is still very early in the game. More is not necessarily better for probiotic actions. And prebiotics often play beneficial roles even without added probiotics. ref The above reports show the situation, but the remedy is not always cut and dried. The Precautionary Principle is always in play. What is pretty obvious is that Western culture is definitely showing itself to not be that healthy without implementing protective knowledge to overcome shortcomings.

This next study, although very small and just an observation of young mothers self-administering probiotics to their newborn children, not very scientific, does highlight that more knowledge is needed before correct protocols are in place. If nothing else, this little study highlights that not just any probiotic formula will work. Obviously, young mothers were not aware that the bacterium found most valuable for infants was missing in the Brands mentioned, namely B. Longum subsp. infantis. But the surrounding article does give good information. ref 

Plus, there are probably other factors that influence what bacteria types dominate the intestinal tract of newborns. ref More research is needed. The next article has extra information.

PROBIOTICS

Probiotics are bacteria (and other microbes) living in the digestive canals of our bodies that play a synergistic beneficial role in health. 

It is only within the last few years that this relationship has blossomed in understanding and appreciation from new scientific research. ref  Before that time, it was mainly health stores that sold acidophilus, which at first were just the ones used to culture milk into yogurt. Only after the yogurt was made, the bacteria was inactivated by heating the yogurt. Now, some yogurts are not heated or have live cultures added and this is promoted as a health benefit. 

Living in our intestinal tracts, there are hundreds of different varieties of bacteria. These form our indigenous (bacterial) culture that develops as we are born, or at least within a few months if the birth was caesarian. Young children need to get dirty as this is how they develop this miraculous symbiotic relationship with bacteria that protects them their whole life.

THREE IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT TAKING PROBIOTICS

• More is not necessarily better. Balance and variety are vital. Chemistry or pH  is a key factor. Overwhelming your own bacteria mix is not the goal.
• Prebioitics, or the food elements that feed your indigenous bacteria, may be of greater value than consuming the bacterium themselves
• Consumed probiotic bacteria do not stay in intestinal tract for very long (7-18 days), they just help create a preferred chemistry to allow your own indigenous bacteria mix to grow and dominate. 

PROBIOTIC LABELS

Buy and use only products with a proper identification code of the strain for each bacteria. These are the only products with verified scientific testing. Plus, each strain has different functions that identify it. In the ingredients BOX, the genius will be listed, such as Lactobacillus, plus also the species, Acidophilus, and then a strain identification code (ex: La-14, RO052, or NCFM) should also be attached. ref  ex.  Lactobacillus Acidophilus La-15 

DO NOT BUY PROBIOTICS WITHOUT A STRAIN CODE 

That code is your assurance that the strain is the same one that was scientifically tested and found effective. Companies that leave off this vital fact either don't really understand probiotics or may have something to hide. Not mentioning strain codes by claiming proprietary protection hides any scientific research connections for product. This limits product ingredient credibility since any competing company could use a Lab test to analyse for strain codes. Thus, the proprietary claim really is just a marketing ploy and only functions to hide quality from the consumer. Not listing the Bacteria strain code leaves the company open to changing sources and strains anytime. Scientists give bacteria a strain code for identification in research testing to make sure the same exact strain is re-tested for comparison in future work. These coded bacteria are registered with an International agency.  ref ref

SIDEBAR: Even if a strain has a documented code, it may not be effective for all probiotic functions. They have to be tested for each health condition and appropriately used. If there is no code, the effectiveness against any condition is unknown because Scientists only test coded strains. ref

IMPORTANT: This reference, mentioned above deserves more attention. This is very important!

Probiotic Scientists test different strains of each bacteria and give the strain that shows the most effectiveness a code name or number. This code name is your assurance that it has been tested and found effective. If no code is listed, the Brand is free to substitute any genius species of same name from any supplier whether or not it has been tested. You will not have any assurances that the bacteria is effective. Honest Brands will always list the strains code name. Research scientists would never consider using a non coded strain for research, why should you? This important reference tested 121 coded strains of Lactobacilus Plantarum from both dairy and plant sources and many L. Reuteri sources and strains to see if any were antibiotic resistant. They did not all exhibit the same level of benefits. See pages 42-50. This reference has a good description of the health problems with the over use of antibiotics in humans and feed animals starting page 13.

SAFETY OF PROBIOTIC BACTERIA

Please read this reference on safety of using probiotics. In very sick individuals, a study showed increased mortality in probiotic group. Measurements revealed the intestinal tract linings were compromised. HIGHER DOSAGES ARE NOT NECESSARILY BETTER. One test showed a 20% reduction in number of colds at 1 billion versus only a 10% reduction at 10 billion. ONLY use documented strains that list an identification code after the name. This is your assurance the strain has been tested and found effective.

CAUTION: There is a rather new condition appearing. Since bacteria are prone to mutations, consuming larger dosages means that there would be a greater opportunity for mutations to occur. Indigenous bacteria strains probably have build-in safeguards while supplemented strains may not and thus add to the potential for more breaks in DNA. It is when mutated strains also have the ability to transfer this mutation to other bacteria cells or strains that this becomes a dangerous situation. Most higher dosage probiotics recommend using only for a short duration, some only for a week, but customers may miss this information and put themselves in jeopardy. ref Over 50 billion may start to have these effects. 10-20 billion usually preferred.

A recent development by some Probiotic Brands offers numerous bacteria strains together, as many as 35. In the past 8-10 was limit. Some bacteria conflict with other bacteria. The lower number of strains could test for any reactions and adjust dosages of each strain. These new increased strain number products probably have little testing for any interactions and represent a marketing story rather than a healthier product. In fact, they probably do not have any product testing to know if the formula is effective or not. The same could be said for the higher dosages now available. 

LABEL EXAMPLES

First probiotic label is example of one that is not recommended. Notice no strain codes or potency listed. Next a newer product label with 410 mg blend immediately below first label gives potency (5 Billion CFU) but still no codes. Also, listing probiotics as a blend does not give amounts for each bacteria type. Since the ingredients are listed in the order of amounts contained, the 2 foods probably make up the majority of the 610 mg blend. Probiotics are very small. The term "Propritary HSO probiotic blend" is made up and has no meaning in probiotics. HSO bacteria are good for plants, but not people. "HSO" is mainly a marketing tool. There is only 1 HSO (from soil) bacteria strain present and since HSO strains are not indigenous to the human intestinal tract, value is questionable. 

Next Below are examples of proper labels. The first lists amounts and codes for the strains using a system of the same letters and just different numbers. These could be "in house" codes and refer back to registered codes or not. The HA codes are from a legit probiotic company but some companies make up their own same letter codes without any research back to a tested strain. Have to make sure codes are linked to strains on the International Probiotics registry: ref

The problem with Companies using their own codes is that most customers cannot tell from the label if the codes are real. Plus it is difficult to comprehend why original codes would not be used since listing of these registered codes implies free support for scientific verification and validation. Even between registered and scientific studied bacteria codes there are differences which give extra value to one over the other depending upon the situation.

Another point not immediately noticeable between the proper and not recommended product labels concerns food elements added with probiotics. This dramatically increases the potential for moisture compromises and interactions between the food elements and probiotic bacteria. When food is added with probiotics, stability often suffers.

On the left is another correct label example that lists codes but not amounts plus also talks about a special matrix that protects non-refrigerated bacteria. Most aware companies use various techniques to keep the bacteria protected until it reaches the small intestinal tract. Danisco, owned by Dupont, is a rather large probiotic company supplying many food culture ingredients.

Two other probiotic companies used by vitamin companies,  Lallemand (acquired Insitut Rosell) and Chr Hansen

HOW PROBIOTIC SUPPLEMENTS WORK

There is quite a bit of "iffy" information in the marketplace on this aspect. ref  

A search of "Probiotic" company literature reveals very little real knowledge. Renew Life's first Blog on "How to buy quality" first talks about potency as "CFU" or colony forming units. !5 billion or more is given as needing to influence the body. Funny, some research shows for certain strains, 1 billion works better than 10 billion. Could there be effective factors for some code strains over others that are in play and more important than just raw CFU amounts?

In addition to the Caution below, taking large amounts of probiotics could also influence and increase urine pH, the acid level of urine. Too high acid or too low alkaline urine both can have adverse effects. The high dosages offered are meant to be taken for short periods of time, like 7 days. Dosage should not be your only criteria for picking quality probiotics. Get ones with a strain code listed after bacteria name and check for studies proving effectiveness. Here is one example  and another for GR-1 here. 

PROBIOTIC OVERLOAD?

There is a condition called SIBO, small intestinal bacterial overload, where TOO MUCH of certain bacteria are growing in the intestinal tract. Sometimes this takes the form of colon type bacteria remaining or backing up into the small intestines for too long. This condition has been associated with IBS, Irritable bowel syndrome. This is why antibiotics help reduce symptoms while the return growth of bacteria increases symptoms. And of course, constipation does not help. If you have any gastric or intestinal problems, PLEASE be cautious taking the many higher potency probiotics that have emerged in the marketplace lately. Extremely high dosages should only be used for a short period of time until more on what causes SIBO, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, is discovered. At the very least, start slowly and watch body signs for adverse reactions. ref

One cause for SIBO appears to be the overuse of antacids. Many antacids are simply calcium carbonate. This form is found in many calcium supplements including the new plant source, Red Algae. Calcium carbonate neutralizes stomach acid. The problem of SIBO develops when the lower acid amount with food gets dumped into the small intestinal tract and quickly increases pH allowing bacteria to start multiplying sooner than they usually would. This extra growing time allows for too much bacterial growth before entering the large colon, especially if chronic constipation is an issue. Foods in the diet can also influence and change the type of bacteria that grows. ref

The question still to be answered; Do the new higher mega potency probiotics influence SIBO positively or adversely?

Another way SIBO can occur is from colon bacteria backing up into the small intestinal. This movement direction is not a normal occurrence and is similar to stomach acid splashing back into the throat when the normal muscles surrounding the opening spasm.

INTESTINAL BATTLES 

The 400 or more different strains of bacteria living in the average intestinal tract quickly learned or adapted to life together by about 6 months of age. A dominant hierarchy was established to control this many different strains. As long as the few dominate strains remain in control, everything works to maintain health. ref

If another strain intrudes and grows enough in numbers, a war breaks out, like in IBS. Scientists have found some non-native similar bacteria types that exhibit the ability to aid the re-establishment of the native bacteria. These bacteria do not stay in the intestinal tract very long. They are like relatives, accepted and welcomed for short periods of time.

A major issue of concern over which types of bacteria are better suited for each specific disease is being researched. Not all strains, even ones with the same name, are equal in functions. This takes research to discover. Some bacteria types simple do not work while others are very effective. And some work at low dosages while others need higher amounts.

Not very many probiotic companies list a strain code for their bacteria source. Can you imagine a Lexus car dealer not putting up a Lexus sign on the dealership building or on their cars? The strain code is assurance the strain has been tested and found effective for a desired probiotic function. Chief among these are first not to war against existing native bacteria.

SPORE-FORMING BACTERIA (CAUTION)

There are some companies that use a different strain of bacteria that is NOT native to the human intestinal tract called Bacillus. It may sometimes be found in human feces since it arrives in dirt on food. But it does not belong in humans. Bacillus are needed in soil to help plants grow. ref This type of bacteria was the major pilot nutrient for many Garden of life products. Today, there is only 1 soil organism left in GOL products. Let's see why?

They were and still are called soil organisms. But, there is one rather large unknown factor that might represent a negative aspect, they are the only bacteria type that produce spores. Spores are a form of the bacillus lifecycle that are literally indestructible. They can last in this state for thousands of years. 

While not all spore-formers are dangerous, like anthrax, in the spore form they have the ability to enter into the body and many strains of bacillus have been found associated with different tissue and organ infectious diseases.* The native human bacteria of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria, and the yeast Saccharomyces Boulardii do not normally enter the body unles they enter through a cut in the skin or sore in the intestinal tract. Probiotic companies use Bacillus type bacteria because they are almost indestructible in the spore form and survive stomach acid to show greater number of bacteria counts.

*Bacillus bacteria are spore-formers. While B. Subtilis is considered not to be disease causing, like some of its relatives, it has been found at human infection sites. The primary concern over the use of B. Subtilis as a probiotic supplement, is not that it may cause disease, but rather that it may become resistant to anti-biotics and get out of control. Yes, Bacillus bacteria do stimulate the immune system, BUT this most likely is a defensive action and only a positive function if controlled. This could be an issue for immune compromised individuals.  ref 

Example of Researched Probiotic Strains

There are maybe 4 large probiotic producers, such as Chr. Hansen, Danisco, and Lellemand Rosell, and a number of smaller ones, like Probi AB - V299, Morinaga - BB536, Nebraska Cultures - DDS-1 and MAYPRO = L-92. UAS Labs also claims to have a superstrain of DDS-1 and the two companies battle over which has the original and best one. Universities often discover and test bacteria starins that many companies buy and build into supplements and foods. You will see NCFM on some bacteria strains standing for North Carolina Food and Microbiology University department. Many probiotic companies started out working with bacteria for cheese making like Danisco and Rosell. Producer Chr. hansen has research on strains Bb-12 and La1 plus GR-1 and RC-14 for female health which they produce from UREX contracted bacteria. Lellemand Rosell has research on RO052 and RO175. ref

The new Garden of Life Doctor formulated probiotic for Mood lists these two Lellemand strains, RO052 and RO175 and uses the research studies in their marketing. The fact that they add so many other un-coded bacteria strains with these two strain codes could compromise researched actions since only the 2 were given by themselves in studies. Interesting!

Here are 2 other researched documented strain effects. Notice protection against DNA mutation breaks in colon cells.

PREBIOTICS may be of greater value than just using probioitics ref

HOW DIET CAN INFLUENCE BACTERIA 

This is a very revealing story. It begins with cattle grazing on pasture grass and hay. The grass feeds very specific bacteria that dominate the cows many chambered stomachs and intestinal tract. This bacteria that likes grass builds healthful fatty acids that increase omega 3 and CLA content in milk and meat. BUT, an interesting twist happens when cows are in feedlots eating corn and other grains, a different type of bacteria becomes dominate that does not produce the same fatty acids and therefore there is less omega 3 fats and CLA in milk and meat from these cows. Quite a bit less. The cattle producers know this happens, and attempt to introduce grass for short periods to attempt to increase omega 3, and make the animals healthier. ref This process is called back-grounding. Beef that is mostly grass fed is a health food while corn grain feedlot fed cows produce junk food. It will not keep you healthy.

The preceding story illustrates what also happens in the human digestive system. Non-digestible fibers and resistant starches become food for intestinal bacteria. Plus, these bacteria ferment the fibers and starches to produce short-chain fatty acids. article One such fatty acid, butyrate, has many important functions. and that is to protect colon cells from mutation which leads to cancer. ref

Probiotic Diversity

There is a new angle in Probiotic health. People in "Developed Counties" actually have less diversity of gut flora than people exhibit in less developed Countries. This lack of diversity is completely understandable from a sanitation point of view. But, it is with greater diversity that the gut immune system functions at its peak. Diversity means a greater number of different types of bacterium in the intestinal tract all interacting in harmony for the health of the body. 

While many nutritionists cite the sanitation aspect as a positive to protect health against problematic germs, some researchers are now not so sure. There is another factor too, cooked food. ref There appears to be cross-talk for immunity between the different types of organisms that historically have inhabited the human intestinal tract. This goes beyond the scope of any probiotic formula currently available in the marketplace.

Over the last 10 years, IBD, inflammatory bowel disease, or IBS, research has progressed to the point that now the entire "microflora" is viewed as faulty. The new theory is that IBD is no longer an autoimmune disease but rather an immunodeficient condition. Of course many researchers are looking at genetic mutations as the cause. A basic shift in type of bacteria and other organisms occurs based mostly upon diet and environmental exposure. ref Changes develop from a normal balance of organisms to less firmicutes and greater bacteriodes, as occurs in developed countries from increased eating of farmed animal meat and sugar. This study looked at Herbals and functional foods on intestinal bacteria types. The normal bacterium make up changes as well, lactobacillus in small intestines and bifidobacteria in colon. This further results in disruption of microbial diversitification toward more of the phylum Proteobacteria, a situation often found in IBD. This phylum includes Escherichia coli, or E-coli. A little E-coli is necessary, but with too much or unnatural conditions, disease can develop. These changes go from mostly anaerobic, without oxygen, to more aerobic which changes the conditions and pH balance in the intestinal tract leading to a dysbiosis of the entire microflora, resulting in IBD. 

NEW TWIST: This reference reveals a new concept. While the bacterial types and amounts were similar between IBD subjects and healthy controls, there was a layer difference in that more degraded mucus was found in the cells attached to the gut lining. This would cloud looking at just the number of bacteria and types but give light to other functions such as layering of bacterium, attachment, and placement, as well as other "house" cleaning and elimination body activities. 

Another group has gone even deeper and presents this new aspect. Back to the beginning diversity thing. These changes have come about over time with the introduction and proliferation of antibiotics plus the many sterile environments generated in developed countries. This has produced a pretty big shift in the types of and make up of the human gut microflora. Certain players normally present in the microflora became absent or missing. These include many intestinal parasites, including protozonans and helminths. While these are capable of causing disease, when held in check, they play a positive role talking with the usual host bacteria genera in the human microbiotia. Thus, a sterile environment creates a dysbiosis and the proper immune functions and messages are impaired, leading to a compromised immune system and greater susceptibility to IBD. ref

FACT: When cattle moved form the green pasture grass into grain feed lots, one vital change occurred with the marbleization and tenderization of meat. Inside the cows multi-chambered stomach, grains feed a completely different type of bacteria than does grass. These different bacteria that now predominate do not build the same types of fat as the grass loving bacteria would. Omega 6 fats dramatically increase while omega 3 decrease, plus the CLA content of milk and cheese also decreased. Literally, meat goes from a healthy protein and fat food into the junk food category, capable of generating disease conditions. These actions unset an historically balanced ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 fats. This ratio went from under 4 to 1 up to 15 to 1. Over 4-1, it becomes harder for the body to limit chronic inflammation. CLA is a type of fat that controls how the body deals with and stores fat. 

This situation will take some time to study and research how to safely change back to a healthy gut flora. It may take some generations and dramatic lifestyle as well as food production changes. Although today with the mobility of airplane travelers from different Countries, this is rapidly changing in large Metropolitan cities. Look at this report on bacteria found in NYC subways. ref  This should jump-start your primordial pump to want to safeguard your good intestinal tract flora preventative factors to effectively deal with this bacterial diversification attack. Look at this report of bacteria trading genes between normal bacteria and pathogenic under gut inflammation conditions. This next article is a good summary of intestinal actions leading to microflora disruption here. Did you notice that the improper use of the wrong type or dosage of probiotics is one possible cause, as well as antibiotics?  And this last report goes a little further into causes of intestinal dysbiosis here. 

PRECAUTIONARY Sidebar: A new situation is emerging from the ever increasing dosages of probiotics in the marketplace. Scientists know that bacteria can mutate from breaks in their DNA. And that these mutated new bacteria can influence other bacteria in many ways, some adverse. With higher dosage probiotics, the likelihood of DNA breaks is increased. ref It may be prudent to stay with lower dosages, 10-25 billion, until this new issue can be examined. Plus, make sure to only take clinically documented strains with a strain code listed after the bacteria name. ref ie. Lactobacillus Acidophilus LA-14. ref

In the meantime, the use of clinically studied bacteria for IBD is the best protocol for that condition available right now. Make sure you only use documented strains that include a bacteria code and were found to have beneficial effects on IBD. Prebioitics such as FOS, GOS, and inulin have shown value on their own, even without added bacteria since they feed and control the existing good bacteria.

While diet is a major player, unless food production methods change, this really limits healthy choices. Farmed fish, vegetable oil fried foods, and grain lot beef are all junk foods. They change the diet from good fats to detrimental ones and unbalanced ratios. Plus, farmed fish rarely eat krill to make carotinoids, the element that give fish its salmon color.

Major Change in Infant Health

A change in bacteria for infants in Developed Countries represents perhaps the single most dramatic bacteria wipeout in history. All infants in less developed Countries still are born with this bacteria, Bifidobacterium Longum Subspecies Infantis. In the United States, over the last century, this bacteria is being wiped out to the point that today 90% of infants born NO LONGER EXHIBIT this most vital bacteria. This bacteria is the only one that will digest 100% of human milk carbohydrates. Blame antibiotics and cesarean births, improper diet, plus super sanitation. article

BACTERIA IN CANCER CELLS

THE CASE FOR BACTERIA INVOLVEMENT IN CANCER BUILDS

Many associations of cancers to virus interplay are already established. So, this article will just look at the rather new bacterial connections. Many different types of bacteria inhabit the intestinal tract of humans. Most are beneficial while some are potentially harmful if not keep in check by the helpful bacteria. They all live together and function for health when the chemistry is normal. When conditions change from healthy to unhealthy in the digestive tract, such as a change in pH, the harmful bacteria begin to multiply and begin to generate disease processes that increase over time. One helpful benefit of the good bacteria that can get compromised is that they help to cement the cells lining the digestive tract together to prevent holes or leaks.* Intestinal Barrier Tight Junction (TJ) proteins are involved. When holes are present, a number of bad things can develop. Undigested proteins can get inside the body and cause allergic reactions. Plus, the large bacteria can also fit through the holes and travel to cells where they should not normally be found. Cancer cells appear to attract certain types of bacteria that are not found in normal cells. How did they get access into the body? Do fusobacterium participate as a cause of colon cancer or do they just arrive after the cells DNA becomes mutated and condtions change that favor this bacteria type growth? article

The relationship of bacteria to cancer reveals a lot about bacterium actions. As for known links to cancers, the bacteria in the stomach, H Pylori, is known to be associated with stomach cancers as well as ulcers. Some bacteria have been found to exhibit actions to stop cancer cells while other bacteria act opposite to block the action of chemo drugs and allow cancer cells to grow. article Scientists are genetically modifying some bacteria to increase this cancer killing effect, but so far in animal studies, these bacteria also have undesirable side effects.

What does this reveal about probiotics?

Bacteria in the body work synergistic with body functions to help keep the system healthy. Their only pay request for this benefit is to be supplied with the food elements they love to eat and also to maintain a pH chemistry that is favorable for their growth. Unfortunately, if these requests are not satisfied, the usually smaller in number and weaker pathogenic type bacterial get the upper hand and begin a battle to destroy the beneficial bacteria and ultimately, the body becomes diseased. article

Probiotic bacteria immunotherapy research is still in very early discovery mode. But the fact that certain unhealthy bacteria, like fusobacterium, have recently been found in the majority of certain cancers is building the case for antibiotic use with chemo drugs. In animal studies, killing the bacteria with antibiotics in these cancers reveals that the tumors slow or stop growing. This is very early work and will have to be tested in humans. ref

The leaky gut syndrome apparently represents a very important immune system function for the good bacteria that should inhabit and predominate in the human intestinal tract. Keeping harmful bacteria types out of the body and or under control is worthwhile in many ways, with cancer actions now one very critical aspect. But, bacteria can also enter the body from other avenues such as through the eyes, nose, mouth, ears, broken skin, sores and insect or animal bites, etc. Contaminated food or water is an obvious vehicle for entry as well as from surgical incisions.

SIDEBAR: A Surgeon noticed after a patient with a cancer growing in his cheek developed a strep throat, the cancer began shrinking. Strep throat is caused by the Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria. The doctor then put together the observation facts that after surgery for cancer removal, the patients that developed post-surgical infections were most likely to recover from the cancer. He injected the Streptococcus bacteria to test on some cases and observed the same beneficial results. This was in the 1930's, and after the death of Dr. Coley, this application of bacteria was abandoned for chemo drugs and radiation. Not until 2014 was a drug, Anti-PD1, approved for melanoma using Dr Coley's bacteria immunotherapy concept. And it effectively works according to Dr. Ribas at UCLA Medical. 

While the use of probiotics is very helpful to prevent pathogenic bacteria from getting a hold and growing in the intestinal tract, these others sources need a very strong innate immune system body wide. The intestinal tract good bacteria actually do help with this as they send messengers around the body as part of this innate immune system. The blood stream is of course an area of immune importance as it allows the pathogenic bacteria and viruses to travel around in the body to the cell types they can trick into allowing entrance.

This interesting field will continue to grow and gain acceptance.

*There are other elements that can cause leaky gut syndrome too. Lectins found in many foods have lately become a suspect. 

Probiotics and Infants

Unfortunately, many companies are using and testing the wrong bacteria strains for infant health.

Major Change in Infant Health

A change in bacteria for infants in Developed Countries represents perhaps the single most dramatic bacteria wipeout in history. All infants in less developed Countries still are born with this bacteria, Bifidobacterium Longum Subspecies Infantis. In the United States, over the last century, this bacteria is being wiped out to the point that today 90% of infants born NO LONGER EXHIBIT this most vital bacteria. This bacteria is the only one that will digest 100% of human milk carbohydrates. Blame antibiotics and cesarean births, improper diet, plus super sanitation. article