Transcript Our Tiniest Friends

Our Tiniest Friends
Nat 212, Module 2
Option 4
What do the bacteria in the large intestine
contribute to the body? What holistic protocols
can be used to support their role?
Catherine Oshin
Disclaimer
The following information is for
educational purposes only and is not
meant to treat, cure, prevent,
prescribe for, or diagnose any
disease or medical condition.
 Information on herbs and
supplements has not been evaluated
by the FDA

Friends Forever
Millions of microorganisms, including bacteria,
yeasts, fungus and other organisms exist in and
on our bodies beginning at birth.
 Most of these are harmless or beneficial and live
with humans in symbiosis, a dependent
relationship which benefits both parties. We
provide them with food they need and in turn
they support the immune system, digestive
system, and produce some vitamins.

Have you heard of “probiotics”? You may
have been reading about supplementary
bacteria, or yogurt culture. It may have
been touted as a treatment for side effects
of antibiotics.
 Probiotics are the beneficial bacteria that
live in our bodies and are also found in
fermented foods
 Antibiotics and other environmental factors
can deplete or alter the balance of these
helpful organisms

Native Fauna in the GI
The large intestine is populated by
millions of bacteria that assist in the
digestive process
 These help to
– Break down undigested fibers
– Produce some vitamins
– Protect against pathogenic organisms

Digestion and Absorption
When digested food moves into the large
intestine from the small intestine, most of
the nutrients have already been digested
and absorbed
 Organisms in the colon help to further
break down cellulose and other fibers for
absorption through the lining of the colon

Vitamin Production

These microorganisms produce:
– The B vitamins Thiamine, Riboflavin and Biotin
and B-12
– Vitamin K

These nutrients are absorbed in the colon
along with some water, sodium, potassium,
chloride, and some of the Vitamin K
– The large intestine does not absorb Vitamin B-12
Immunity
Healthy populations of beneficial bacteria
in the gut inhibit overgrowth of
pathogenic, or harmful, organisms by
competing for food and space.
 This protects the body from infection.

Dysbiosis
An imbalance in the native microorganisms in the GI
 Symptoms may be both local and systemic

– Can cause diarrhea, constipation, gas,
bloating, cramping, indigestion, vaginal yeast
infections, thrush,
– weakened immune system, headaches, joint
pain, fatigue
Causes of Dysbiosis
Chlorinated water, pollution, food additives,
alcohol
 Antibiotics, steroid medications, overuse of
laxatives, diarrhea
 These factors can reduce or destroy the
populations of beneficial bacteria in the GI and
should be reduced and avoided when you are
correcting an imbalance, taking antibiotics, or
simply to maintain healthy digestion.

Antibiotics
Broad spectrum antibiotics, which are frequently
used to treat otitis media and sinusitis, affect all
strains of bacteria throughout the body without
discretion.
 In this way the infection may be cured but the
body is opened up to other sorts of infection due
to the lack of beneficial bacteria.
 Candidiasis is such a common reaction that
many patients receive antifungal medication
along with antibiotics as a precautionary
measure.
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Supporting Healthy Gut Flora
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Diet and lifestyle can support the populations of
healthy organisms
The previously listed causes of dysbiosis should
be avoided
Fermented foods containing live cultures should
be a regular part of the diet
A diet high in soluble fiber, which feeds the
helpful bacteria
Probiotic supplements come in tablet, capsule,
liquid, and powder forms
Acidophilus and other Probiotics
The term probiotics most often refers to supplements
containing presumably live bacteria that support healthy
populations of bacteria or yeasts in the body.
 Most contain strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium
similar to native strains found in the gut
 Most supplements contain both types of strains

– Transient strains pass through the system and do not reestablish colonies. They are helpful for acute and temporary
conditions
– Resident strains are commonly found in and remain in the body

Fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, kombucha, and
sauerkraut also supply some of the same organisms
Prebiotics

Fibers and other substances not digested
in the small intestine that feed the good
bacteria in the colon
– Fructoligosaccharides (or FOS) is the most
popular and is included in some probiotic
supplements and also sold separately
– inulin, an insoluble fiber
– butyrate (from the digestion of fiber)
– L-glutamine, an amino acid
Beginning at birth our bodies are
populated by millions of microorganisms
that support and protect the processes of
the body.
 It is important to keep these in balance
throughout our lifetimes to maintain
healthy digestion and avoid disease
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References
ACHS class material and lectures
 http://www.digestivesplus.com/probiotics.
html accessed 2/18/10
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
www.salemstate.edu/~sdion/presentDigestion&Nutrient
Absorption.ppt accessed 2/16/10, great presentation
with extra details on digestion