With more than 100 trillion bacteria (more than the number of cells in your body) lining your intestinal tract, your intestinal flora has incredible power over your immune system. This intestinal lining, which acts as an internal mucosal barrier, covers about 300 square meters (nearly the size of a tennis court). This is an extremely complex living system that aggressively protects your body from outside offenders, including toxins, pathogenic bacteria, viruses and fungi. In fact, 80% of your immune system resides in your intestines. Thus, a properly functioning intestinal tract is your first line of defense against ANY INFECTIOUS DISEASE!
Ratio of “Friendly” Bacteria to “Not-So-Friendly” Bacteria is Important
Your colon alone contains approximately 3 to 4 pounds of bacteria. Over 700 types of intestinal bacteria are harmful while only 20 types are beneficial. To maintain good health the colon needs a ratio of 85% health-promoting “good” bacteria to 15% or less harmful bacteria. When this balance is disrupted numerous health problems can arise including constipation, malabsorption, poor digestive function, allergies, candida overgrowth, parasitic infections, and weakened immune function. This may not be good news for you since the majority of people have this ratio reversed.
- Your Beneficial Bacteria are Responsible For:
- Proper function of your immune system
- Protection against over-growth of disease-causing mircroorganisms
- Aiding in the digestion of food
- Producing specific vitamins
- Absorbing minerals & amino acids
- Eliminating toxins
Regular use of probiotics through supplements or food, will help to replenish beneficial bacteria in your intestines and restore the positive ratio of 85% good bacteria to 15% not so good bacteria. Almost everything about our modern lifestyle counteracts the growth of beneficial bacteria while promoting harmful bacteria, and now more than ever, this is why you need to replenish the probiotics missing from your diet.
