Acidophilus and Bifidus are names for probiotics , i.e., friendly bacteria that improve vitality and should make up 98% of the intestinal flora of healthy people . Together, they are necessary to achieve optimal health of the digestive tract , to strengthen the liver and blood , and to increase natural defenses .
Ideally, we should avoid factors that can disrupt our bacterial ecosystem. For most people, this is impossible. Antibiotics, cortisone, birth control, alcohol, caffeine, chlorinated or fluoridated water, canned foods, carb- and fat-rich menus , as well as a stressful life , can damage the beneficial digestive flora.
Supplementing with probiotics is a natural way to maintain good health . It can contribute to overcoming the disturbing effect that diets, our environment and mental stress create in our digestive system.
Let’s take antibiotics for example – they are one of the great discoveries of medicine and in some cases they are life-saving . However, their use disrupts the state of the normal intestinal flora , because in addition to the harmful bacteria, they also kill some of the beneficial ones. In place of the beneficial bacteria, then, harmful bacteria, parasites or fungi settle in, and this is how dysbacteriosis occurs. It is especially dangerous in children and in people with a weakened organism. It is hidden and insidious and is a consequence of the vicious circle – more antibiotics are given to deal with the next harmful microbes, they in turn further disrupt the ecology of the intestine, etc.
Therefore, it is reasonable to take Acidophilus and Bifidus probiotics after each antibiotic intake until full recovery and stabilization of the condition of the beneficial intestinal flora
Lactobacillus acidophilus
This bacterium is a friend of the human organism. It is contained in some fermented dairy products and food supplements. When taken in sufficient quantities, it settles in the digestive and genitourinary systems and improves the ecology of the intestines.
- It does not allow the development of disease-causing microbes, preventing their capture by the intestinal walls, changing the pH and oxygen content and producing bactericidal substances (hydrogen peroxide, lactic and acetic acid, etc.);
- produces enzymes , including galactase, which is necessary for the absorption of milk sugar – this way people with intolerance to milk and especially infants can be helped;
- protects the intestines , urinary tract and reproductive system from bacterial and fungal infections ;
- reduces the formation of carcinogens in the intestines and prevents the development of harmful bacteria there;
- reduces diarrhea after undergoing radiation or chemotherapy;
- reduces the level of harmful cholesterol.
Lactobacillus bifidus
This is the other beneficial bacteria that is a normal inhabitant of the colon . It improves digestion and assimilation of proteins and fats , as well as the retention of minerals such as phosphorus, calcium and iron . It removes constipation and thus supports the cleansing of the intestines and the restoration of the liver . Reduces allergic reactions to milk . It participates in the breakdown of some carcinogenic substances , reduces the level of harmful cholesterol , produces hormones and vitamins B and K.
Acidophilus and Bifidus probiotics are recommended for :
- Sudden or prolonged emotional stress;
- Active and passive smokers ;
- Difficulties in the absorption of essential minerals and vitamins from the diet (detected by the deteriorated quality of hair, nails and skin);
- Prolonged use of highly chlorinated or fluoridated water;
- Side effects from the use of antibiotics , steroids , hormones , etc.;
- Digestive problems – frequent constipation or indigestion;
- Babies on artificial feeding or with sensitive digestion, colic , etc.;
- Anemia , avitaminosis , intoxication of the body, when dysbacteriosis is suspected.
Probiotics and babies
Probiotics are especially important during the first two to three years of a person’s life . Babies on natural nutrition suffer less from colic and other digestive disorders . This is due to the stimulating effect that mother’s milk has on bifidobacteria . They should make up 99% of the intestinal flora of healthy infants and are very beneficial for the child’s health because:
- provide protection against intestinal infections caused by Salmonella (food poisoning), Shigella (dysentery) and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (colienteritis);
- they produce lactic and acetic acid, which interfere with fermentation and the development of unwanted bacteria in the gut. The more acidic environment in the gut indirectly prevents the development of putrefactive bacteria that form toxic amines from amino acids.
Providing large amounts of Bifidobacteria is very important for restoring the normal intestinal flora , especially after taking antibiotics . Acidophilus is recommended especially for acute infections from enteropathogenic bacteria – most of them are sensitive to the antimicrobial substances released by it.
In the feces of artificially fed babies, there are significantly smaller amounts of Bifidobacteria compared to naturally fed babies . After cessation of breastfeeding, they decrease and gradually the intestinal flora approaches that of adults. Taken through food, Bifidobacteria lead to greater weight gain in babies due to better absorption of protein. They also support the absorption of calcium and other minerals and vitamins . With their help , lactase is produced (an enzyme necessary to digest milk) .
Babies get Bifidobacterium infantis and other beneficial microorganisms when passing through the birth canal. These bacteria enter through the baby’s mouth into the intestines and attach themselves to their walls before other, unfriendly microorganisms from the outside world can do the same. Breastfeeding also helps the development of Bifidobacteria, especially Bifidobacterium infantis .
Dysbacteriosis
Babies born by caesarean section do not have the opportunity for such a powerful start with beneficial microorganisms . If they are also on artificial nutrition , their intestinal microflora is like that of adults, which is not good for their health .
The intestinal flora of babies, even breastfed and healthy , is relatively unstable. Small changes in the environment can reduce the amount of beneficial microorganisms and lead to overpopulation with unfriendly bacteria , thereby reducing the absorption of nutrients , etc.
Even natural nutrition cannot provide an optimal level of Bifidobacterium infantis in babies . It is good to add B. infantis daily to baby food. Regular intake of large amounts of these beneficial beneficial bacteria (1 million to 1 billion per day) further strengthens the body by supporting the digestive system in fighting harmful and disease-causing bacteria .
It is very easy to add low-temperature dried beneficial bacteria to baby food . They are available together with AFA algae capsules . These capsules are opened and the powder contained in them is added to the fruit juice that is given to the child. If he is on a diet , the powder is mixed with a little boiled and cooled to 36ºC water and given with a dropper .
Babies can take the bacteria with food, since in them, unlike adults, these beneficial microorganisms are not destroyed by gastric juice. Older children and adults should necessarily take the bacteria on an empty stomach in capsules, which protect them from the action of gastric juice and dissolve in the intestine.
Immunity and gut
Normally, the intestines of adults contain several kilograms of live bacteria . The strength of the immune system to a very large extent depends precisely on the state of the intestines, since Peyer’s plaques are located here – special clusters of lymphocytes, through which the most mass contact with various substances from food is made. It is interesting to note that while the area of the skin is only 2 m² , the internal area of the highly folded digestive system is over 250 m² . That is why it is not unimportant what kind of microflora we are in constant contact with.
Considering the serious deterioration of the ecological indicators of human life, the regular intake of sufficient amounts of beneficial microorganisms as a dietary supplement is a matter of common sense and foresight . The results, in a prophylactic aspect , are so good that it is worth trying.
