A Bacterium a Day Keeps the Doctor Away! – 1

Good morning to all, specially to mothers! This topic of mine is i know very important specially to your kids. As you not following your kids most of the time, they should be aware of everything specially when they are eating outside the house.

Bacteria. The mere mention of it connotes bad little germs responsible for those blows dealt to our body—that stomachache, that ugly rash, and other diseases and infections. Yes, like its cousin the virus, bacteria can be harmful. But do you know that not all bacteria are bad? “Probiotic” or good bacteria can do wonders for our bodies.

Right in Our Bodies

If we can just look right inside our digestive system—the stomach, the intestines and colon—we will find a host of bacteria ambling about. They number in billions, ten times more than the number of cells in the body. They first appeared within hours of our birth. Also called intestinal flora, these bacteria belong to more than 400 species. The good ones help us digest food, take in nutrients and process waste. The bad ones, also called “pathogenic” bacteria, wreak havoc in our system if not checked, pathogenic bacteria. They function in a number of ways. Some probiotic bacteria combat harmful microbes by secreting acids that are deadly to them. Others counter the production of certain mutagenic compounds that lead to cancer. Some also produce essential B vitamins such as niacin, folic acid, biotin and pyridoxine, or digestive enzymes like lactase, which breaks down milk and sugars. Probiotic bacteria also strengthens the immune system of our body.

Like in any society, the good and bad bacteria live together, competing with each other and checking the number and types of microbes present. The key is balance, and when this balance is achieved, the digestive system can work effectively.

Once in a while, this balance is tipped when stress comes in or fatigue sets in. A diet lacking in nutrients as well as a meal with unfamiliar foods can also upset this system. Antibiotics, disease and eating unclean food (those with Salmonella, etc.) can also have a disastrous effect. In all these cases, the pathogenic bacteria multiply in number and overpower the probiotics, causing diarrhea, abdominal pain and even ulcer, chronic gastritis and cancer.