Tell Me About Bacteria and Yeast Infections

For Your Health…

Tips on beneficial vs harmful bacteria

The human intestines contain an estimated 100 trillion living bacteria.  Some are beneficial to our systems, whereas others are not. Dysbiosis is the term used to describe when the balance between the “good’ bacteria and the “bad” bacteria is upset.

Antibiotics kill the harmful bacteria in our body and upset the balance by decreasing the number of helpful bacteria in the intestinal tract and vagina.  This makes it easier for yeast and pathogenic bacteria to thrive and can lead to yeast infections, flatulence, bloating, intestinal pain, and diarrhea.  Alcohol use, high-sugar diets, and aging may also contribute to dysbiosis.Sometimes the biggest roadblock in our progress toward a healthy lifestyle can be the very goals that we set for ourselves.  We may attempt to achieve too much too soon and get overwhelmed by our own efforts.

BENEFICIAL BACTERIA

Beneficial Bacteria contribute to a healthy intestinal environment in many ways.

• They multiply rapidly and live on the wall of the intestinal tract forming a barrier that prevents other organisms from attaching to the wall.
• They compete with harmful organisms for space and nutrients, which prevents pathogens such as yeast from overgrowing and causing an infection.
• They produce compounds that have antimicrobial properties and inhibit the growth of some pathogens.
• They aid in absorption of nutrients. Their metabolism produces many vitamins such as B₃, B₆, B₁₂, biotin, and folic acid.
• Lactobacillus acidophilus aids in the digestion of milk sugar (lactose) by producing the enzyme lactase.

TREATMENT

Supplements that contain live beneficial bacteria are called probiotics. Probiotics are available as freeze-dried capsules, tablets, powders, and granules. Some products contain only one type of beneficial bacteria, while others are mixtures of several types in various combinations. The amount of probiotics needed to replenish the intestines varies depending on how depleted it is and how much harmful bacteria are present. Generally a good supplement will have at least 1 billion colony forming units (CFUs) per dose. Probiotic supplementation should be taken on an empty stomach with water or milk. Heat and oxygen decrease the potency of probiotics, therefore, they are best stored tightly closed in a refrigerator. As with any drug use, seek the advice of a healthcare professional before using the product.