Intestinal dysbiosis With bacteria against bacteria

Intestinal dysbiosis: Using bacteria against bacteria - natural regulation of the intestinal flora

The fact that health "sits" above all in the intestine is something that has always been agreed in natural medicine. However, it is only with the visualization and research of the smallest organisms that colonize the human body that the important role played by different bacterial strains becomes more and more clear. A deficient colonization of the intestinal flora can lead to immune deficiencies, obesity and metabolic diseases. Both increased and decreased populations are therapeutically reacted by adding specific bacterial strains. Naturopathy offers even more possibilities to stabilize the restored balance.

Countless bacteria in the intestine perform important tasks for the health
Microorganisms as microorganisms have populated the earth for billions of years in unimaginable variety. One representative of which about 3,000 different species are known to date is the bacterium. Bacteria are found in all ecosystems, in the air, in the water, in the plant and animal world, where they fulfill complex, life-supporting tasks and on the other hand also cause great damage. So also in the human ecosystem. On the surfaces of the skin and mucous membrane of all organs a microflora is formed, whereby a dynamic correlation exists between skin cells and microbes. Particularly densely populated is our digestive tract, especially small intestine and large intestine. Here, up to 10 trillion unicellular organisms fulfill important tasks, generate necessary substances for the metabolism, participate in the formation of vitamins (eg B vitamins, folic acid, vitamin K), build a natural barrier against invading germs and regulate as part of the defense system the immune action.

Good bacteria - bad bacteria?
In the digestive tract harmless bacteria, pathogenic invaders and such microbes may occur, which only have a detrimental effect on changing their environment (the environment). The majority of the population living there, which is useful or neutral, inhabit the gut permanently. The same applies to the so-called opportunistic germs, which train the immune system and damage the organism only if there is an imbalance in the overall distribution of the bacterial populations. Important representatives of the permanent residents are Escherichia coli, Bacteroides, Enterococcus, Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. They counteract rot, provide an acidic environment and provide the mucous membranes with food. Other bacterial species such as Clostridium, Klebsiella and Enterobacter, as well as Escherichia coli, on the other hand, produce toxic metabolic products and can cause illness if their populations proliferate too much. After all, there are bacteria that are natural pathogens when they enter the body from outside. These are repelled by the immune system, which includes an intact intestinal flora.

Therapy of the causes
The "microbiological order" gets out of balance, for example, by a lack of digestive juices, which in turn leads to an altered nutrient supply for the bacteria, which can have a positive or damaging effect on their populations. From the outside, dietary deficiencies, medications (such as antiobiotics, cortisone), infections, chronic inflammation (CED) and physical and psychological duration (dys-) stress contribute to immune deficiency and miscarriage of the intestinal flora.

In addition to the administration of probiotics, a comprehensive therapy considers these triggering factors by first initiating a change in diet (low-protein, fiber-rich). Spices and medicinal herbs containing bitter and essential oils allow the digestive juices to flow, increase bowel movement and expel harmful microorganisms. Measures for proper stress management and strengthening of the immune system help to maintain a balance, so that the added bacteria can settle permanently.

Intestinal bacteria, but which?
There are a variety of medicines made from bacteria (probiotics) in the drug market. Which bacterial strains are given in which quantity and sequence, whether live or killed populations are used, the naturopathic doctor usually decides after the laboratory examination of a stool sample, in which the exact number of the occurring bacterial groups is determined. Along with the above measures, many ailments such as skin diseases, allergies, food intolerances, susceptibility to infections or inflammatory bowel disease can be alleviated and cured. (Dipl.Päd. J.Viñals Stein, non-medical practitioner, 08.03.2010)