comes a time to speak of the intestinal flora, that magnificent collection of over a hundred billion people who inhabit and vivify our mucous membranes. The intestinal population is only half the total of microorganisms that live with us in different parts of the body, with ten microbes by every body cell. While the figure may be imprecise and difficult to weigh, probably helps the dough to a better appreciation, we are talking about a kilo and a half of microorganisms that live in the intestine. Without this complex mosaic of "guests" beneficial, belonging to four hundred different species, the gut would inert tube and certainly could not be all biochemical events necessary for the proper assimilation and disposal of ingested food.
The flora is regenerated periodically dead microorganisms excreted through the faeces, this mass is usually a third of the dry weight of our stool. Many ignore the existence of the real ecosystem within us, the majority ignores the rules to which it operates this symbiosis of microorganisms. In short: do not know what they are, do not know they need and do not know what affects them.
s relationship with these essential, collaboration is reciprocal: we must guarantee the survival so we provide a number of functions (essentially enzyme), which enable the digestion of food and synthesis of vitamins. The natural symbiosis is perfect, they get energy and sustenance of the process of splitting of carbohydrates, fats and proteins, processes that are only possible thanks to enzymes that they bring. Few know that the initial degradation of food (eg vegetable fibers) in many cases makes the flora and no intestinal juices. An important part of the nutrients we eat are feeding the plant, they exist for some competition between microorganisms and the mucosa. Recent research
Science Center Genomics at the University of Washington (USA) showed how relative is talk of a fixed energy value of food. This is because different balance of intestinal flora can metabolize the nutrients you eat more or less efficient, thereby obtaining heat varies, a similar diet ingested food.
A very important function of the normal flora is its ability to break down fatty substances such as bile acids and cholesterol. Speaking of the liver, we see that transports toxins and surplus bile into the intestine. Those surpluses are cholesterol, in order to be then evacuated through the intestines. For this evacuation possible, it is necessary to the work of certain intestinal bacteria that "digest" (unfolded), making it comparable compounds. If the population of bacteria does not exist or is very small, cholesterol remains intact and ready to be assimilated, because it is reabsorbed by the intestinal mucosa and is led quickly into the bloodstream.
This allows us to understand two things: why there are vegetarians with high cholesterol and why it is on the effect of the medications for cholesterol. Many people spend time, money and effort into the useless and obsessive control of cholesterol level, rather than addressing the basic needs of the flora, which, naturally free would handle this task efficiently.
The ecological flora generates a dynamic equilibrium, whereby avoiding the development of disease in the body. If you keep prevalent population of beneficial microorganisms, they prevent dangerous people (other bacteria or yeast) to settle in among them and steal their livelihood usual. In addition, the normal flora generates a kind of protection of gastrointestinal mucosa, covering certain porosity, which could be deposited in pathogens. This flora has another important task of body defense. Being
the intestine desirable place for any organism for its conditions (humidity, temperature, nutrients) can be easily invaded by foreign germs. Some are due to various pathologies, while others produce harmful substances that increase the body toxemia and hepatic task. Some intestinal bacteria flora typical of putrefactive (clostridia, bacteroides) produce substances (deoxycholic acid) that promote the production of gallstones. Sometimes the small intestine is invaded by germs in the colon, which leads to malabsorption of nutrients (vitamin B12), flatulence and bowel movements and consistency. Some clinics
German, American, Brazilian and Argentine (like ours) are developing effective therapies for chronic conditions, based on dietary correction and restoration of beneficial intestinal flora. Positive results are evident in a variety of disorders: chronic infections of the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract and urinary tract infections, rheumatoid arthritis, childhood infections, allergies, brain (PDD, ADD Autism) etc. The issue of chronic candidiasis, which is discussed in another meeting, is a good example of this therapeutic approach.
digestive fluids (saliva, gastric and intestinal) create the conditions for the development of beneficial flora and prevent the growth of harmful flora. Two nutritional habits of modernism nefarious plot in great shape against the quality of these fluids: bad chewing and the use of antacids. It is of fundamental importance and good insalivación slow chewing of food, there generated substances (such as lysozyme) with some antibiotic effect against harmful microorganisms. Moreover, the use and abuse of stomach antacids, to reduce heartburn, this real barrier cancels undesirable bacteria. These microorganisms have favorable conditions to settle after the intestines, thereby becoming chronic in hosts. Antacids are another demonstration of how we attack effects (burning sensation), we do not address the causes that generate the problem (mucosal inflammation) and causes increased disorder (proliferation of harmful flora).
Although the intestinal flora is very susceptible to the influence of nutrition on balance, continue to analyze the issue in the next chapter, in addressing nutritional and therapeutic potential. They see how food can influence or restore its smooth functioning. DR DANIEL ARIAS
Specialist in
Orthomolecular Biological Medicine and Pain Medicine - Ozonólogo
MN 69674
