mysterious and wondrous world began existing
within your digestive system a world inhabited
by billions of living microorganisms from over
400 di erent species. A population so large,
that if placed all together would weigh 3 4
pounds! ese microorganisms form colonies
and populate every inch on your intestinal tract,
from your mouth to your colon approximately
30 feet in length. While lower numbers live in
the stomach, the population begins to increase
dramatically further down the intestine, with
the greatest numbers and variety of species
being found in the large intestine and colon. In
fact, there are more microorganisms living in
your digestive tract than there are cells in your
entire body!
`microorganisms' is just a nice way of saying
`bacteria". You may act with shock and disgust
because many of us have been conditioned to
believe that "all bacteria are bad". You might
panic and ask "how do I get rid of them"? Ever
since the formulation of the `germ theory' by
Louis Pasteur in the late 1800s, humans have
felt it necessary to wage mortal combat with
bacteria. While it is true that unfriendly bacteria
such as E. coli and Salmonella are bad, we have
been taught to fear ALL things bacterial. is
has led to the over-zealous use and marketing
of antibiotics, pesticides, disinfectant chemicals
and antibacterial "this, that and the other".
Yet ironically, each of our
intestinal tracts is
home to billions of
bene cial bacteria
that dramatically
on bene cial bacteria for its survival and the
bene cial bacteria are dependant upon you for
their survival.
bacteria to unfriendly bacteria is approximately
85% to 15%. Both types of bacteria are an
integral part of this "society within" and play
an important role in your overall health and
vitality. When the ratio of bene cial bacteria
within your intestinal system is properly
balanced, it protects you from internal parasites,
harmful bacteria, yeast, viruses and a multitude
of health problems. Unfortunately, for the
majority of people, this percentage is reversed.
bacteria within us, life would cease to exist. So
the real question here should be "how can I get
more of them'? e type of foods you eat, the
lifestyle you live and the probiotic supplements
you take determines the amount of hard work,
protection & health bene ts these bene cial
bacteria produce in return for you. When the
intestinal tract is ourishing with bene cial
bacteria and the lining is coated with them, there
is no room for unfriendly bacteria to attach.
your intestinal tract, some are friendly - others
are not. When present in adequate amounts,
bene cial bacteria colonize and work together
to maintain order, balance and health. ese
colonies constantly keep the levels of unfriendly
bacteria in check, preventing them from taking
enzymes and EFA's, promotes absorption
of nutrients into the body, prevents and
heals stomach/colon ulcers, promotes
regular bowel movements, cleanses the
intestinal tract and colon, counteracts
cancer causing compounds in the colon,
and breaks down carbohydrates, fats,
proteins & waste products.
helps ease lactose intolerance, balances
intestinal pH, protects from food
poisoning, destroys intestinal molds,
yeasts, fungus & parasites; promotes
normal digestion and colon function,
and protects from pesticides, pollutants,
food poisoning & toxins.
triglyceride levels, improves health and
appearance of skin, inactivates certain
viruses, enhances immunity, regulates
hormone balance, produces important
antibodies & natural antibiotics, prevents
infection, produces DNA/RNA necessary for
cellular repair, and increases energy levels.
can provide, you must rst establish adequate
amounts of bene cial bacteria in your digestive
system and then maintain healthy levels here
lies the real challenge. Our over-processed diets
do not supply adequate amounts of friendly
bacteria to maintain a healthy ratio.
bene cial bacteria in our intestines and bowel.
While aging, illness and digestive problems
are a contributing factor, most Americans
live on carbonated beverages, chemical food
additives, excess sugar, alcohol and foods that
are processed, preserved and cooked. Most diets
are low in ber, high in fat and red meat. ese
eating habits disrupt the pH balance of the
intestines and leads to overgrowth of unfriendly
bacteria. Today, frequent use of drugs such
as antibiotics, antacids, hormones, birth
control pills, steroids, and anti-in ammatories
constantly exposed to psychological and physical
stress, chemicals, pollution and antibiotic loaded
meats. To top it o , 98% of public drinking water
contains chlorine meant to kill harmful bacteria
in the water, yet chlorinated water also kills the
bene cial bacteria in your digestive tract. It is no
wonder that so many people are constantly sick!
illness, death and disease and are known by
many names such as E. coli, Salmonella and
Staphylococcus Aureus. However, there are
hundreds more. When your ratio of bene cial
bacteria is low, the levels of unfriendly bacteria,
fungus, parasites and/or yeasts in your digestive
"For Life". What is the defi nition then for
Antibiotic? "Anti" means Against and "Bios"
means Life. Therefore, the word Antibiotic
literally means "Against Life".
Sounds good, right? Not necessarily.
Antibiotics not only kill our unfriendly
bacteria, they also kill our benefi cial
bacteria. This mass destruction of ALL
bacteria creates a vast array of side-
effects such as fungal and yeast infections,
diarrhea, nausea, colon infections, etc.
Antibiotics are also responsible for
the increasingly common problem of
antibiotic-resistant bacteria (often called
"superbugs") that cannot be killed by our
arsenal of antibiotics. These superbugs
are created through the overuse of
antibiotics. What's more, according to the
National Center for Disease Control, 50%
of the antibiotic prescriptions written are
unnecessary or are written for illnesses
that cannot be helped by antibiotics.
Unfortunately, the majority of illnesses
that we take antibiotics for could have
been prevented in the fi rst place if our
internal benefi cial bacteria balance was
in check.