Archive for the ‘bacteria’ Category

Changing gut bacteria could explain chronic western illnesses: Study

A shift in gut microbial composition may explain the rising prevalence of chronic stomach upsets and even obesity among children in developed nations, suggests new research.

Diets high in fat, sugar and protein, and low in fiber have been associated with increased incidence of noninfectious intestinal diseases all over the world.

Researchers writing in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (PNAS), examined differences in gut microbiota in 14 healthy children in rural Burkina Faso and 15 healthy children in urban Italy in an effort to explain the role of gut bacteria in some of these chronic illnesses.

The Burkina Faso children ate a diet high in starch, fiber and plant polysaccharides, and low in fat and animal protein – a diet thought to be similar to that of early human settlements at the time of the birth of agriculture. The Italian children’s diet was typical of the developed world – high in animal protein, sugar, starch, and fat, and low in fiber.

The researchers, from the University of Florence, compared intestinal bacteria in the two populations and found that significant differences developed from the time that breast feeding ceased.

“Our results suggest that diet has a dominant role over other possible variables such as ethnicity, sanitation, hygiene, geography, and climate, in shaping the gut microbiota,” the authors wrote.

“We can hypothesize that the reduction in richness we observe in EU compared with BF children, could indicate how the consumption of sugar, animal fat, and calorie-dense foods in industrialized countries is rapidly limiting the adaptive potential of the microbiota.”

By Caroline Scott-Thomas, 06-Aug-2010, www.Nutraingredients-usa.com

One good move today is taking place as some schools are taking soda/pop machines out of the schools. The cola companies promised to give a percentage of the dollars spent back to the schools. But at what cost? The corn syrup industry likes it. The dentists get plenty of business filling teeth. But the student suffers. For one thing it raises the omega-6 level in the body which is already out of balance for a healthy life.

The most important thing we can do for our children is to provide them with good, natural fresh foods and clean water. Instead of the candy bar eat a piece of fresh fruit. To my understanding, most tastes are acquired. If you give a child wholesome, nutritious food they will look for that when they snack. I suggest organic foods wherever possible. They may cost a little more up front but then you don’t have as many illnesses and doctor’s bills.

There are also several supplements you actually need.

First we don’t get enough omega-3—the anti-inflammatory “medicine”. The ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 should be one-to-two. Studies today say it is more like 1-to-17 or 25. (Much of this comes from high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in our diets. Omega-3 is also very important for making healthy cells in every part of our bodies. They are also essential for prenatal and childhood brain development.

Probiotics (acidophilus/bifidus) are the healthy bacteria that needs to be in our digestive system. When we take an anti-biotic, the good bacteria gets killed along with the bad and it needs help to be restored to the proper level.

A multi vitamin for children then helps to fill the gays that usually happens in every diet. Keep extra vitamin C on hand for use when a cold is coming on.

As the child gets older vitamin D is a necessity for those of us living in northern climates where we don’t get enough sun to manufacture the vitamin D our system needs. Milk is often fortified with vitamin D.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is the energy running every cell in the body. The heart works harder than any other muscle in the body. To keep it healthy we need a balance to keep our energy up.

Just a reminder! When you buy food supplements buy QUALITY. The cheapest is probably the most expensive in the long run. A recent study showed that one-third of the supplements tested didn’t provide what was stated on the label. A poor supplement will just pass through the body without any benefit at all. Some children’s vitamins were too potent for the age listed on the label. It is important to buy a good quality supplement.

You only have one body. Take care of it.

Bacteria grow in a wide variety of habitats and conditions. Pathogenic bacteria are notorious for such diseases as cholera, tuberculosis, and gonorrhea, but are a very small fraction of bacteria. Bacteria are found almost everywhere from the tops of mountains to the deepest oceans.

But there is a wide range of what we call good bacteria and bad bacteria. Some bacteria cause food poisoning. Other bacteria are needed for life itself.

The cycling of nutrients such as carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur, both inside our bodies and out, is completed by their ceaseless labor.

Bacteria consist of only a single cell, but they are amazingly complex. Bacteria and their microbial cousins the archaea were believed to be the earliest forms of life on earth more than 3 billion years ago. They have helped shape our planet and support life forms by developing photosynthesis. They produce the energy for our bodies.

Few people know that many bacteria not only coexist with us all the time, but help us do amazing things like make vitamins, break down some garbage and even maintain our atmosphere.

For more on the subject just google “bacteria”