THE MEDICINE CABINET
Intestinal Bacteria
By Jean Sutherland

     These billions of intestinal flora, representing over 400 different species, form a complex ecosystem that may be beneficial or harmful (or both), and these organisms possess more metabolic activity than do we, their host! In many ways the gut flora may be viewed as an organ of the body in its own right. If the balance or proportion of these gut organisms is unfavorable then, not surprisingly, disease or ill health may occur.
     Most of the intestinal bacteria that live in our gut are beneficial. Some may metabolize nutrients and make them more accessible or digestible, and others are able to manufacture certain vitamins (like vitamin K). Some are able to break down certain harmful chemicals and carcinogens; many can synthesize certain short chain fatty acids which are essential for intestinal health and which may inhibit colon cancers and most also inhibit the growth of harmful organisms.
     Not all organisms that find entry into our intestines are friendly. Those that can infect the intestinal tract include certain bacteria, like Salmonella, Shigella, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and certain strains of E. Coli, as well as yeasts (like Monilia), parasites, and viruses. When these disease?causing organisms predominate, then a variety of signs and symptoms of disease may occur. These include poor digestion, diarrhea, constipation, gassiness, bloating, fatigue and damage to the intestinal wall, which, in turn, may allow microorganisms and potentially dangerous substances to enter the blood stream. This latter condition is called "leaky gut" and may underlie a good many other seemingly unrelated illness like allergy, arthritis, lupus and autism.
     The gut organisms can become such a potentially great threat to our well being that, in recognition of this, most of our immune cells and glands are located in and around the intestinal tract. These numerous lymph?node glands and immune cells are there to prevent the invasion of intestinal bacteria (and other organisms) into the body itself. However, there are times when even the massive intestinal immune system is overwhelmed by the presence of harmful intestinal germs. When this happens, disease or ill health results. The key appears to be maintain and support intestinal health!
     I have always suffered with heartburn. After moving to Mexico my heartburn gradually became worse. I watched the Nexium ads on TV and figured that would be my next step. I worried when they said that acid reflux could burn the lining of my esophagus. I feared the worse. I was up to eight Tums a day and knew I could not keep this up. Then one day I remembered that I had been told to go to the doctor and get a medicine to clean my system of harmful bacteria and parasites. Since I had been in Mexico for over a year at that point I figured it was time. I found out I should be doing it about every six months. The doctor gave me the name of a medication and I was off to the pharmacy to get it. I took two pills for three days. And that was that. Over the next week I noticed that my heartburn had stopped completely. I no longer needed my eight Tums a day. Ok, this was a nice side effect I assumed. Then I noticed that a fungus infection that I have had in my ear for 10 years now was gone. For ten years I had treated that infection with cortisone cream as it flared up once a month. I assumed it was a hormonal thing. I have not had to use it once since I took the medication the doctor recommended. If you have not taken anything to clean out your system then see your doctor and get him to recommend a medicine. These nasty bugs and parasites are nothing to fool around with.