For our immune system to work optimally well, we need to be absorbing our nutrients from the intestinal track well, but intestinal absorption as well as digestion and detoxification are promoted b the presence and action of friendly lactobacilli but principally Lactobacillus acidophilus.
We are not only concerned with 1 strain of Lactobacillus acidophilis but 200 different ones!
But in tests only one strain was shown to possess antibacterial efficacy against eleven pathogens and 16 other bacteria.
The average human body contains approximately three and a half pounds of bacteria, some of which perform essential functions. When this equilibrium of friendly verses pathogenic bacteria becomes imbalanced, by the use of drugs, alcohol, birth control pills, improper diet, pesticides and stress – L. acidophilus is destroyed. This then in turn leaves the intestine without protection against food-born pathogens(disease causing bacteria. To combat this, one needs to re establish the balance between friendly and pathogenic bacteria.
Some more wonderful benefits of friendly bacteria are:
Optimises the immune system function by inhibiting the growth of pathogenic bacteria.
Produces enzymes such as lactase which enhances digestion
Controls Candida albicans overgrowth
Reduces the serum cholestrol level in the blood up to 69%.
Helps to unblock the intestinal track and reduces the need for the body to excrete waste through the skin.
Maintain slightly acidic pH level throughout the gastrointestinal track.
Enhances water absorption of waste and stimulates peristaltic movements.
Suppresses activity of pathogens and viruses.
Produces Vit K and B, essential in dealing with stress.
Produces acidophilin, a natural antibiotic agent – inhibiting the growth of 11 pathogens and sixteen other bacteria. The friendly microorganism of the indigenous flora predominantly L. aciddophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum serve to detoxify the two most important organs in the body, the intestines and the liver respectively and aid in the timely elimination of waste matter. So poor elimination leads to more unfriendly bacteria being produced and one of those is Candida.
Well, with all these incredibly important functions of good bacteria, it is imperative that we all colonise and re-colonise ourselves daily, by eating as many cultured foods as we can, and if necessary taking daily capsules of the right probiotics.