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Natural AntiBiotics

Many harmful influences can destroy the beneficial flora that normally flourish in the intestinal tract. Stress, antacids, antibiotics, processed foods, pesticides, chlorine in drinking water, and high-fat, high-protein diets are just some of the factors that can upset the digestive system's natural balance of intestinal flora. Probiotics is the term used to describe organisms such as "friendly  bacteria" that inhabit a healthy intestinal tract. Acidophilus bacteria's help to maintain a healthy balance of intestinal flora.

What do they do? Beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum, are called probiotics. Probiotics bacteria favorably alter the intestinal micro flora balance, inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, promote good digestion, boost immune function, and increase resistance to infection. People with flourishing intestinal colonies of beneficial bacteria are better equipped to fight the growth of disease-causing bacteria. Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria maintain a healthy balance of intestinal flora by producing organic compounds—such as lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and acetic acid—that increase the acidity of the intestine and inhibit the reproduction of many harmful bacteria. Probiotic bacteria also produce substances called bacteriocins, which act as natural antibiotics to kill undesirable microorganisms.

Immune function tends to decline with age. Twice daily supplementation with Bifidobacterium lactis (a particular strain of bifidobacteria) in milk was found in a double-blind trial to significantly enhance various aspects of immune function in a group of healthy elderly people. Benefits were apparent after only six weeks of supplementation. Yogurt has been purported to support immune function, due to its inclusion of lactic-acid bacteria. While B. lactis is a different organism than that found in yogurt, effects on immunity may be similar.

Regular ingestion of pro biotic bacteria may help prevent vaginal yeast infection. A review of the research concluded that both topical and oral use of acidophilus can prevent yeast infection caused by candida overgrowth.

Diarrhea flushes intestinal microorganisms out of the gastrointestinal tract, leaving the body vulnerable to opportunistic infections. Replenishing the beneficial bacteria with pro biotic supplements can help prevent new infections. The incidence of “traveler’s diarrhea,” caused by pathogenic bacteria in drinking water or undercooked foods, can be reduced by the preventive use of probiotics. Most people associate lactobacilli with L. acidophilus, the most popular species in this group of pro biotic bacteria. However, research shows that other Lactobacillus species may be beneficial as well. For example, L. rhamnosus and L. plantarum appear to be protective intestinal bacteria. They are involved in the production of several “gut nutrients”, such as short-chain fatty acids, and the amino acids, arginine, cysteine and glutamine. These beneficial bacteria may also help remove toxins from the gut and exert a beneficial effect on cholesterol levels.

One pro biotic, Saccharomyces boulardii, has prevented diarrhea in several human trials. Double-blind research studying critically ill patients found this strain of yeast to prevent diarrhea when 500 mg is taken four times per day.

Probiotics are important in re colonizing the intestine during and after antibiotic use. Probiotics supplements replenish the beneficial bacteria, preventing up to 50% of infections occurring after antibiotic use.

Probiotics also promote healthy digestion. Enzymes secreted by pro biotic bacteria aid digestion. Acidophilus is a source of lactase, the enzyme needed to digest milk sugar, which is lacking in lactose-intolerant people.

Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) are naturally occurring carbohydrates that cannot be digested or absorbed by humans. They support the growth of bifidobacteria, one of the beneficial bacterial strains. Due to this effect, some doctors recommend that patients taking bifidobacteria also supplement with FOS. Several trials have used 8 grams per day. However, a review of the research has suggested that 4 grams per day appears to be enough to significantly increase the amount of bifidobacteria in the gut.

Where are they found? Beneficial bacteria present in fermented dairy foods—namely live culture yogurt—have been used as a folk remedy for hundreds, if not thousands of years. Yogurt is the traditional source of beneficial bacteria. However, different brands of yogurt can vary greatly in their bacteria strain and potency. Some (particularly frozen) yogurts do not contain any live bacteria. Supplements in powder, liquid extract, capsule, or tablet form containing beneficial bacteria are other sources of probiotics.

Foods to Avoid for Probiotics Support

Avoid All Processed sugars: sucrose, dextrose, glucose, maltose, corn sweeteners, turbinado sugar, raisin syrup, honey, maple syrup, molasses, and anything made with them.

Avoid any and all fried foods, white flours, processed carbohydrates in general including: white rice, buns, rolls, sweet rolls, doughnuts, pizza, crackers, chewing gum (sugar free or otherwise), soft drinks (diet or otherwise: sugar free or otherwise), cake, cookies, ice cream, white flour pasta, sweetened juices, non-diluted fruit juices, condiments such as mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, jellies, jams, and gravies, excessive fatty foods such as sour cream, cream soups and chowders, alcoholic beverages of any kind, and caffeinated drinks of any kind.

Avoid:
Yeast
Beer, Wine
Yeasted Supplements
Yeasted Bread (substitute yeast-free sour dough rye bread)
Mushrooms
Vinegar (substitute lemon)
Soy Sauce, teriyaki sauce, tempe, miso, tamari (substitute Braggs Sauce)
Coffee, tea (substitute Inca Tea or Green Tea)
Pre-packaged commercial foods
Peanuts, pistachios,
Aged Foods (i.e. Bleu Cheese)
Melons

Un-Natural AntiBiotic Agents

The advent of antibiotics resulted in a renewed interest in the gastrointestinal microflora. The GI side-effects common to antibiotic treatment were felt to be due to their destruction of this microflora This appeared to reduce a patient's resistance to GI infection by organisms resistant to the antibiotic.

Natural Antibiotic Agents

If the Natural, protective microflora could be supplemented orally, perhaps it would buttress the  patient against some of these GI side-effects. Lactobacillus acidophilus as mentioned above, was used in medical research as far back as the 1950's in an effort to prevent the destructive effect of antibiotics. Now the use acidophilus probiotics is well accepted and considered a highly beneficial and protective means to help overcome this problem. Other effective natural antibiotics have been 'discovered' since then - some of these natural antibiotics have been in use for thousands of years. We've listed some of these along with recommended dosages.                                 

Natural Antibiotics