Antibacterial Coatings

Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria And Your Health

September 22, 2010 // Comments Off

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You’ve already heard many compelling reasons to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. Moderate weight loss prevents illness and extends your life considerably. Diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and some types of cancer are directly related to obesity and a nutrient-poor diet.

There is another compelling reason to diet, exercise and maintain a healthy weight. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria infections are on the rise and have been linked to obesity by health care officials around the world. Their existence has been known for over 20 years, but hasn’t been a great concern. However, the incidence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has risen greatly in the past two decades and is being watched as a potential major medical concern.

The problem is largely due to over-use of antibiotics. Bacteria that have been partially treated by antibiotics develop a natural resistance over time. Eventually the medicines we use to vanquish various illnesses and infections just don’t work any longer. If one type of medication does not work to control an infection, doctors often move on to another type of medication. Over time, certain strains of bacteria have developed resistance to nearly every medication in the medical arsenal. Common infections are sometimes turning into life-threatening conditions when doctors are not able to effectively treat the bacteria causing the infection.

Overweight and obese people are more likely than people of a healthy weight to develop serious conditions requiring medical intervention. It only makes sense that they are also more likely to become victims of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Additionally, carrying an unhealthy amount of weight compromises your immune system. Infections that would ordinarily be stopped by the immune system become life-threatening conditions.

One of the best ways to avoid the over-use of antibiotics is to keep yourself healthy. If you are currently overweight, even a modest amount of fat loss achieved by a healthy diet and exercise will greatly boost your immune system. It strengthens your heart and reduces your risk of diabetes and cancer. It does not have to be a fast loss; simply adopting healthier habits over time will lead to increased health benefits.

In addition to losing excess fat, you can decrease the risk from antibiotic-resistant bacteria with a diet rich in natural foods. Many animals raised for food production are routinely treated with an overabundance of antibiotics. These substances are passed along to consumers who eat the meat of the treated animals.

Antibiotics also trickle down to the consumer as a result of animal manure being used as fertilizer. Fertilizer containing antibiotics transfers the antibiotic substances to the vegetables that we eat every day. Consuming small doses of antibiotics in our meals day after day has a similar effect to taking low doses of antibiotics for many years. With such low doses, the bacteria are not wiped out and continue to mutate; raising their resistance to antibiotics.

Your health and the health of your family depend on you keeping yourself informed. By knowing how to stay healthy and limiting the harmful substances in your food, you will add many healthy years on to your life.

Posted in Bacteria News

Lactic Acid Bacteria and Health

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The claims made for yogurt vary from brand to brand but they all promise a healthy life. Should you, therefore, take yogurt for this reason?

“No scientist still believes that eating yogurt makes you live longer, but the idea hasn’t faded entirely. A few years ago, (one manufacturer) filmed a tongue-in-cheek commercial on location in Soviet Georgia. The ad showed a spry 87-year-old eating (yogurt), his mother beaming approval. And the idea lives on, in a way, in (the US) National Yogurt Association brochures and press re¬leases, in which there’s heavy hinting of vital, if not mi¬raculous, results,” said the editors of Consumer Reports.

Yogurt’s appeal lies in the friendly bacteria it carries which advertisers have endowed with special – if not magical – properties. These bacteria like Lactobacillus bulgaricus, L. acidophilus or Streptococcus thermophilus transform the natural sugar in milk to lactic acid, thicken¬ing the yogurt and giving it a sour taste. The process by which milk is converted to yogurt is called fermenta¬tion.

Lactic acid bacteria such as the ones mentioned above are among the many micro¬organisms that inhabit the human intestine. Dr. Tomo-tori Mitsuoka, professor of biomedical science at the University of Tokyo, said the intestine harbors about 100 trillion bacteria that com¬prise as many as 100 species. These bacteria along with other microbes are part of the normal intestinal flora.

“The staggering magnitude of (microorganisms in the intestine) can be sensed vividly if one considers that the entire number of cells constituting the human body is estimated to be about 60 trillion…If the entire intes¬tinal bacterial population of (a person) were arranged in a single row, the length of the row would amount to about 100,000 kilometers. Since the circumference of the earth is approximately 40,000 kilometers, this row of bacteria could encircle the earth two and a half times,” Mitsuoka said in “A Profile of Intestinal Bacteria.”

Normally, these bacteria are harmless and we are not even aware of them. Lactic acid bacteria like Lacto¬bacillus addoprdlus and Lactobacillus casei also help maintain the normal bacterial balance in the intestine and aid in the digestion of food.

The problem begins when a disease-causing bacte¬ria from food or air enters and grows within the body. If these pathogenic bacteria are not suppressed by the bodies defenses, they multiply and release poisonous toxins that eventually make us sick.

If the body’s resis¬tance is lowered due to fatigue, overwork, or other reasons, we become even more susceptible to the harm¬ful effects of pathogenic bacteria. Or other organisms that are normally present in the body may multiply and cause trouble the same way invading bacteria from the outside do. Either way, the balance of intestinal flora is upset, causing serious infections.

Since yogurt contains beneficial lactic acid bacteria, does it confer any possible health benefits? Will com¬mercial products protect us from disease just like nor¬mal intestinal microbes?

Bulgarians are said to have long lives because of yogurt and presumably the lactic acid bacteria they

ingest from this food. But no scientific evidence is offered to support this claim. Most reports of long-lived inhabitants of a certain region are anecdotal; there are no medical records or birth certificates to prove this. Even worse, many such tales are fabricated to attract tourists.

What about the other claims made for yogurt? Do they have any scientific basis or are they just a marketing gimmick? Find out in the third part of this series.

In the meantime, to strengthen your body, take Immunitril – your first line of defense in maintaining a healthy immune system. For details, visit http://www.bodestore.com/immunitril.html.

Posted in Bacteria News

Two Ways to Increase Good Bacteria and Improve your Health

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The next time you get an unfavorably high reading from your bathroom scale, be aware that not all of your excess weight come from extra poundage or unwanted fat. Rather, about one pound of your total body mass is made up of billions of live microorganisms thriving inside your digestive tract. No, you do not need to be terrified or feel nauseous about it, these organisms are actually important for your good health.

These good microorganisms are often referred to as probiotics. The main reason why they are considered as friendly bacteria is the fact that they can help restore the balance in and wellness of your gut. Having a healthy intestinal tract is essential in boosting your immune system and fighting all sorts of diseases.

Experts say that the composition of the human intestine, particularly its lower areas, should be made up of around 80% probiotic bacteria. If you have less than this, there is a chance that bad microorganisms which can harm your body will start to flourish. Salmonella and E. Coli are two of the most harmful bacteria that can invade your digestive tract.

Unfortunately, for most Americans, the presence of bad microorganisms in the gut significantly outnumbers the good ones. Two elements that can greatly contribute to the destruction of good bacteria are present in almost all cities in the United States that make use of water treatment facilities. The presence of fluoride and chlorine in treated water can surely extinguish good bacteria or beneficial flora inside your intestinal tract.

Alcoholic beverages, prescription drugs, and fatty foods can also neutralize probiotic microorganisms, on top of damaging your intestinal walls. So what can be done to reverse the dwindling presence of good bacteria in your tummy? Well, there are actually two common ways to boost the habitation of beneficial flora in your stomach.

Take Probiotic Supplements

It is true that there are a number of food items which can give a boost to the number of probiotic organisms in your gut. Yoghurt and certain cheeses are known to contain live microorganisms that can be good for your digestive health. Garlic, onions, and bananas also have the ability to multiply the probiotic population inside you.

But the problem is that you have no idea what strain of beneficial bacteria is contained in these food items. Besides, without a microscope, there is no way for you to determine if the number of good bacteria in your yoghurt or garlic is large enough to be beneficial.

Also, it is important to note that there are several strains of probiotic bacteria, and knowing the ones that can survive the acidic and often hostile environment inside your tummy is very important. Because of these constraints, you need to take probiotic supplements to be sure that you have the right strain and the right amounts of good bacteria.

Detoxification

The foods that you eat today do not necessarily come out of your system the following day. In fact, a big chunk of what you put inside your mouth end up being entrapped in your intestines. When this happens you have a lot of undigested, rotten and toxic materials in your system which can compromise your overall health and ruin clusters of beneficial bacteria.

To avoid this from happening, you need detoxification, which is basically the process of cleansing away toxic substances in your digestive system. It is effective in bringing your digestive functions back to peak performance. This means, you will have a more hospitable gut for probiotic bacteria.

But the sad part is that any internal cleansing process can prove to be a challenging feat, especially if you are used to eating junk and other processed foodstuff. Not to worry, there are products that can help you cleanse your system without driving you out of your wits; try supplements like Colpurin and good bacteria will have a better chance of thriving in your intestines. Visit http://www.colpurin.com/.

Posted in Bacteria News

Colon Health And Friendly Bacteria

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‘Friendly bacteria’, or beneficial bacteria, are essential to good colon, or bowel, health.

A large proportion of a healthy stool consist of millions of bacteria which normally live in the colon. There are several hundred species of these bacteria present in the colon. A good balance of bacteria in the colon contributes to good colon health.

There are also a number of harmful bacteria present in the colon. In good health, these harmful bacteria are kept in check by the abundance of beneficial bacteria. Unfortunately, the bacteria in the colon often get out of balance. This condition of imbalance is called dysbiosis. Dysbiosis means that the harmful bacteria have become much more abundant than they should be.

The worst effect of dysbiosis is that the excessive harmful bacteria produce waste products which are toxic to the body, raising the ‘toxic load’ the body has to deal with. Health conditions including candida and ME almost invariably involve dysbiosis, but it also contributes to many other conditions of ill health.

Causes Of Dysbiosis
The imbalance of bacteria – dysbiosis – can be caused by:
* Taking antibiotics
* Poor diet. Beneficial bacteria love the fibre in vegetables; harmful bacteria thrive on meat and sugar
* Traveling abroad – because of a sudden change in diet
* Drinking water which contains chlorine (drink filtered water instead)
* Hormones – either as pharmaceuticals or in the water supply, etc – can produce bacterial imbalance

What Do Friendly Bacteria Do?
Friendly bacteria:
* Help produce energy for the body
* Synthesise essential nutrients, eg Vitamin K
* Help to detoxify poisons in the diet
* Help maintain the acid balance of the body – vital for health
* Promote immune system health

Unfriendly bacteria not only smother the beneficial type, but also produce their own additional toxins – these are their waste products.

How Can I Restore Balance?
By supplementing the beneficial bacteria, and avoiding the damaging situations mentioned above, as far as possible.

What Does A ‘Flora’ Supplement Contain?
A good ‘bowel flora’ supplement will usually contain Acidophilus bacteria plus some other types, often Bifidus and Rhamnosus. Good quality supplements will have powerful, patented strains of the bacteria mentioned. Desirable properties include being able to pass alive through the acid conditions of the stomach, and adhering well to the colon wall when they arrive there.

Try taking a quality supplement at any time for a course of 3 months, and also during and following any antibiotic course you have to take, and when traveling.

A bowel flora supplement is often part of a colon cleansing programme, which will also usually include a herbal supplement to promote bowel regularity, and a product to provide extra fibre, often psyllium husks.

Posted in Bacteria News

Plant Growth and Health Promoting Bacteria

September 21, 2010 // Comments Off

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Damp Indoor Spaces and Health

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The Health Benefits Of Good Bacteria

September 20, 2010 // Comments Off

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Good bacteria, also known as probiotics, live in the human digestive system. It helps the system do its job by restoring the digestive tract balance.

Studies show that there are actually more than 400 types of bacteria in a human body. Contrary to the common misconception, the majority of them are good species that are essential for regulating the immune system. One of the best types of these bacteria is the bacillus coagulans probiotic.

Among the health benefits of good bacteria is to prevent diseases. Good bacteria like bacillus coagulans probiotic make an unfavorable environment for less desirable bacteria.

Good bacteria are classified in two major categories according to their environment in the human’s digestive track. These two categories are lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. Lactobacilli are those which are known to exist in the small intestine while the latter are those which are found in the colon.

Either of these types of bacteria are usually the main components of the best probiotics. These beneficial bacteria like the bacillus coagulans probiotic are important in maintaining good digestive and immune health. Probiotic products are now readily available in the market.

Before purchasing any of those products, it is also important to know the different kinds of bacteria that provide us with the needed health benefits. Here are four different types of good bacteria that are commonly found in many probiotic products:

Lactobacillus rhamnosus. This is a kind of probiotic bacteria that has the ability to treat a lot of ailments. As such, it is now gaining a lot of interest because of its GG (What’s this?) strain component. Studies show that this bacterium is useful especially for treatment of communicable diseases and allergic situations.

Lactobacillus plantarum. This is a very dominant type of bacteria. It is commonly found in nearly all normally fermented foods. It is also considered as an efficient form of antibiotic. It helps a lot in obstructing receptor sites for negative bacteria.

Streptococcus thermophilus. This microorganism is considered as an excellent antioxidant. It helps individuals recuperate from malnutrition. It is particularly beneficial to address malnutrition resulting from instant fasting.

Bacillus coagulans probiotic is a species of live microorganisms that are present in many food products in the market today. This beneficial bacterium has been giving health benefits especially when administered in adequate amounts.

Studies show that daily intake of food supplements containing these bacteria help maintain the delicate intestinal balance. It has also been proven to be an effective way to enhance the immune system.

These are just a few of the many beneficial bacteria that are present in many different kinds of probiotic products that are readily available in the market today. You can also support probiotic growth in your digestive system by increasing the amount of cultured dairy products you eat.

It helps a lot to eat foods that increase probiotic growth. This includes cheeses, yogurt, and other forms of dairy products. Hence, the next time you do your grocery shopping make sure to pick up food products containing good bacteria.

Posted in Bacteria News

Probiotics, Friendly Bacteria For Immunity, Health And Vitality

September 19, 2010 // Comments Off

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Benefits of friendly bacteria were noted the Nobel Prize laureate, E. Metchnikoff as far as early 1900, when he observed Bulgarians living significantly longer and healthier than people of other countries. He attributed this to the friendly bacteria in the fermented milk products that they consumed regularly. Today, many scientific research and clinical trials have confirmed the endless health benefits of friendly bacteria.

We need friendly bacteria to remain healthy and vibrant, to enjoy clear, blemish free, complexion, robust digestive function, stronger body resistance, and to reduce the risk of colon and breast cancer. There are around 100 trillion bacteria in our intestinal tract itself – that’s more than the number of cells in our entire body. Ideally, probiotics should make up 80% of the total intestinal inhabitants. Unfortunately, it is often not the case for most of us.

Some common symptoms of bad bacteria overgrowth include:

- constipation
- elevated cholesterol level
- headaches
- flatulence
- diarrhea
- body odor
- bad breath
- white vaginal discharge
- food intolerance
- allergies

Left untreated, they can become chronic, as in irritable bowel syndrome and can impair the immune function, leading to other serious illness such as a cancer.

Did you know that 70% of immune functions are actually found within the small intestines? Probiotics function as watchdogs in the intestines to active macrophages and lymphocytes, the white blood cells, to attack and destroy diseases-causing microbes. They also produce several natural antibiotics to inhibit the growth of disease-causing bacteria.

Bad bacteria attach onto the intestinal wall, causing a condition known as “leaky gut”. When this happens, the small, sieve-like holes in the lining of the wall, which normally allow only nutrients to pass through, become enlarged. This allows larger molecules, including partially digested foods to seep into the bloodstream. The immune system then springs into action attacking these larger molecules, causing food intolerance and even allergies. This also burdens the immune system leaving it less resilient against other serious foreign invaders.

The liver binds and neutralizes toxin so that they can be excreted. However, bad bacteria in the intestines are able to break this bond, causing the toxin to be released and reabsorbed into the blood. This can contribute to the development of cancer, not limited to colon cancer, but breast cancer too. Fortunately, friendly bacteria are able to prevent the bad bacteria from breaking down this bond, and help to neutralize toxic metabolites. In addition, probiotics also produce butyric acid, which may curtail cancer caused by dietary nitrosamines found in preserved meats, or produced naturally in the intestinal tract.

Good digestion and absorption is the first and most important path to buoyant health. Probiotics help your body get the most of everything you eat. They clear the spaces between the microvillus, the hair like projections along the wall of the small intestines, thus, enhancing the absorption of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and amino acids from the food. Not only does good intestinal flora promote efficient digestion and absorption, it can help inhibits gas and bloating.

Probiotics, when present in sufficient strength, may help reduce cholesterol by inhibiting excessive production of cholesterol, metabolizing cholesterol for energy and breaking it down for easy removal and excretion. They also assist in the breakdown of bile salts to further lower blood cholesterol.

Lackluster eyes, poor skin tone, dull hair or excessive wrinkles are all subtle signs that the body is lacking in probiotics. A healthy elimination system is absolutely essential to good health and beauty, and probiotics effectively improve bowel movement for better waste elimination. When intestinal health is restored, the entire exterior of the body virtually glows and skins problems such as eczema, skin irritations, pimples and breakdown soon subside.

Antibiotics tend to kill indiscriminately – it kills the friendly bacteria along with the bad. Whenever you are prescribed antibiotics you need to take probiotics as well, to counter the negative effects on your digestive system. Drinking chlorinated water, carbonated drinks and coffee, eating meat and poultry laden with antibiotics, processed foods, high fat, high protein diets, low fiber intake, taking antacids and living a stressful lifestyle all destroy the friendly bacteria in the intestinal tract. Hence to enjoy all round radiant health, you should take probiotics supplement daily.

Posted in Bacteria News

Five Health Risks Associated with Bacteria Vaginosis

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The symptoms associated with bacteria vaginosis make it an embarrassing, uncomfortable (potentially very painful), and sometimes a downright frustrating inconvenience for millions of women around the world every year. However, it has become increasingly clear that bacteria vaginosis is more than just an unpleasant nuisance, and, in fact, is associated with a variety of serious health risks.

What are the main potential health risks tied to bacteria vaginosis?

Five Health Risks Associated with Bacteria Vaginosis

Increased risk of a first-trimester miscarriage for pregnant women

Increased risk of a preterm labor for pregnant women

Increased risk of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Increased risk of uterine infections

Increased risk of contracting a sexually-transmitted disease (STD)

 In regards to the increased risk of both miscarriage and preterm labor for pregnant women who have bacteria vaginosis, it is important to note that bacteria vaginosis statistics suggest that roughly 16% of all pregnant women in the United States have BV at some point during their pregnancy.

Sixteen percent is not a small number. So clearly it is important for women to be familiar with the symptoms and causes of bacteria vaginosis, so as to minimize any risks or complications that BV can present during pregnancy.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is an inflammation and infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. It is often times the result of sexual contact with someone who has a sexually transmitted-disease, e.g. gonorrhea and chlamydia, with bacteria vaginosis having also been found to be a potential cause as well.

Left untreated, PID can cause scarring and permanent damage to a woman’s reproductive and other internal organs. It can also lead to tubal pregnancies (ectopic pregnancy) – a condition in which the fertilized egg develops apart from the wall of the uterus. This condition can be a dangerous and even deadly situation for a pregnant woman. PID can also lead to infertility if not treated in a timely manner.

There is also an increased risk of an infection of the uterus following both C-sections and abortions for women who have bacteria vaginosis.

Also, women who have bacteria vaginosis have a greater likelihood of contracting a sexually-transmitted disease when exposed to one through sexual intercourse. This, of course, would include the virus that causes AIDS (HIV).

With consideration to these health risks, it is important to realize that just because someone has BV does not mean that individual is going to have one or more of these health problems. It does mean that women with bacteria vaginosis face a greater risk and an increased likelihood of getting one or more of these conditions.

With that in mind, it is very important for women, especially those who are of a sexually reproductive age and are sexually active, to be aware of the symptoms, causes, and health risks associated with bacteria vaginosis. This knowledge could potentially save many women from a great deal of pain and suffering that BV has the potential to cause.

Posted in Bacteria News

Good Bacteria: How Probiotics Can Boost Your Internal Health

September 18, 2010 // Comments Off

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Many medical health care professionals claim antibiotics to be ‘the lifesaving drugs’ of the twentieth century. No doubt, antibiotics are the most widely used and the most talked about class of drugs ever used, on the vast majority of people and animals, across the globe. What does the term antibiotics actually mean though?

Here is Wikipedia’s definition of the word term meaning for antibiotic. An antibiotic is a chemotherapeutic agent that inhibits or abolishes the growth of micro-organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, or protozoans. Antibiotic is now used to refer to substances with anti-bacterial, anti-fungi, or anti-parasitical activity.

Antibiotic’s widespread overuse has recently been questioned over the last decade, by many concerned health care experts, due to their apparent, and oftentimes, ineffectiveness. And, many health care scientists are also beginning to recognize the fact that, unfortunately, not all the bacteria that dwells inside our bodies aim to harm us.

Antibiotics do perform a sometimes useful function in killing off large numbers of harmful bacteria in our bodies that can lead to life threatening infections. It is a self sacrificing trade-off, however, as there is no discrimination between the chemotherapeutic killing off of all bacteria, whether it be good or bad germs, in the gastrointestinal tract.

Since the 1940′s, modern medicine has mainly focused on the killing off of harmful disease causing bacteria via newly discovered antibiotics. This practice came about with not much understanding of the role, in the advantages, that good micro-organisms (bacteria) played in maintaining good health.

Good bacteria (probiotics), is a modern new term used to describe live, beneficial organisms (bacteria) which, when taken in adequate and consistent amounts, offers many different health benefits to the host. Two very subtle improvements are often noticed right away, in a stronger immune system and a healthier digestive tract.

“Probiotics is not a fad,” says Gary Huffnagle, an immunologist at the University of Michigan and author of “The Probiotics Revolution.” It is really is a new scientific understanding about how the body works.”

Do an internet search on the word term ‘probiotics’ and you will find that there has definitely been a shift, now days, in the way medical scientists think about bacteria (germs). It is finally getting a much deserved, more focused awareness and attention than ever before.

Probiotics have been found to aid with the absorption of nutrients, production of vitamin K, and helps with the necessary and balanced maintenance of good bacteria in the intestines. They are also believed to inhibit the overgrowth of disease causing harmful bacteria, by crowding them out. Probiotics can be the most helpful to those who have just recently taken antibiotics, by re-establishing colonies of good bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract which, sometimes, can be quite difficult to do.

The best sources of good bacteria (probiotics) comes from fermented foods, beverages, or supplements. Probiotic supplements are available in many health food stores either in capsules, powders, or liquid forms. And, while many nutritional experts agree that most of us would benefit in some way from a daily dose of probiotics, learning how to ferment your own foods or beverages at home is a more superior source of good bacteria nutrition. Not all probiotic supplements can necessarily be trusted to deliver what they say they can.

Besides, learning to ferment your own food and beverages at home can be a healthy, fun, and nutritious hobby. Most experts on this subject will agree, that anything you can easily make at home is far better for you than any commercialized product that you could buy. The reasoning behind this idea, is that you will have more control over the whole process in what you are ingesting, and you also have the option of buying the most natural ingredients to use for the end product.

Here is a small list (there are many more that are not listed) of different types of fermented foods and beverages:

1.yogurt

2.aged cheeses

3.kefir

4.kombucha

5.pickles and olives

6.sauerkraut

7.sourdough bread

8.soy sauce

9.vinegar

Studies have shown that good bacteria can help protect us from diarrhea, colitis, urinary tract infections, irritable bowel syndrome, and Chron’s disease. Probiotics may also help treat kidney infections and stones, ulcers, and allergies. Some even argue that good bacteria can help protect us from cancer, colds and flu, and help lower cholesterol.

All-in-all, probiotics have been reported to help many different health conditions, from diabetes to migraine headaches. And to think, that as a culture, we have been overly obsessed with killing germs all around us by bleaching and soap washing everything in sight.

We are just now beginning to understand that there are certain types of germs, or bacteria, that are actually good for us, and they are our friends. Will our awareness of this knowledge benefit human health in the long term, I believe so.

Posted in Bacteria News