The benefits of the normal flora

The indigenous bacteria of the gastrointestinal tract of an animal, perhaps mainly as a consequence of their great numbers, seem to have the greatest overall impact on their host. The nature of the interactions between an animal host and its normal flora has been inferred from the study of germ-free animals (animals which lack any bacterial flora) compared to conventional animals (animals which have a typical normal flora). The science of the non-microbial life of animals is called gnotobiology.

Following are the primary beneficial effects of the normal flora that are derived from this science.

1. The normal flora synthesizes and excretes vitamins in excess of their own needs, which can be absorbed as nutrients by the host. For example, enteric bacteria secrete vitamin К and vitamin B_]2, and lactic acid bacteria produce certain В vitamins. Germ-free animals may be deficient in vitamin К to the extent that it is necessary to supplement their diets.

2. The normal flora prevents colonization by pathogens (colonization resistance) by competing for attachment sites or for essential nutrients. This is thought to be their most important beneficial effect, which has been demonstrated in the oral cavity, the intestine, the skin, and the vaginal epithelium. In some experiments, germ-free animals can be infected by 10 Salmonella, while the infectious dose for conventional animals is near 10⁶ cells.

3. The normal flora may antagonize other bacteria through the production of substances which inhibit or kill nonindigenous species. The intestinal bacteria produce a variety of substances ranging from relatively nonspecific fatty acids and peroxides to highly specific bacteriocins, which inhibit or kill other bacteria.

4. The normal flora stimulates the development of certain tissues, i. e.. the caecum and certain lymphatic tissues (Peyer’s patches) in the GI tract. The caecum of germ-free animals is enlarged, thin-walled, and fluid- filled, compared to that organ in conventional animals. Also, based on the ability to undergo immunological stimulation, the intestinal lymphatic tissues of germ-free animals are poorly-developed compared to conventional animals.

5. The normal flora stimulates the production of cross-reactive antibodies. Since the normal flora behaves as antigens in an animal, they induce an immunological response, in particular, an antibody-mediated immune (AMI) response. Low levels of antibodies produced against components of the normal flora are known to cross react with certain related pathogens, and thereby prevent infection or invasion. Antibodies produced against antigenic components of the normal flora are sometimes referred to as "natural" antibodies, and such antibodies are lacking in germ-free animals.

Negative significance of microflora.

- potential pathogens can cause disease - endogenous infections (pyo inflammatory processes, etc.) under the decrease of immunity resistance;

- enteropathogenic E. coli strains cause colienteritis and gastroenteritis in children, and escherichiosis in adults;

- oral microflora is a cause of caries;

- are the sources of drug resistance genes;

- skin microflora is a cause of acne, pyoderma, furunculosis.

What is Dysbiosis?

- Quantitative and qualitative changes in the composition of normal microflora (bacteria and other groups of microbe). There is a loss of normal functions of the microflora.

Dysbiosis is a term for a microbial imbalance that most often affects a person’s digestive tract. That being said, dysbiosis can also affect the skin, eyes, lungs, ears, nose, sinuses, nails, and vagina.

Dysbiosis is also sometimes called dysbacteriosis or bacterial dysbiosis. That is because the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) contains both “good” and “bad” bacteria to form the gut flora—also called the gut microbe. But, other tiny organisms also reside in the gastrointestinal tract, including yeast, fungus, viruses, and parasites.

The dysbiosis pronunciation is “diss-bi-osis.” Russian-born microbiologist and zoologist, Dr. Elie Metchnikoff, would first coin the term in the 20th century. Dr. Metchnikoff is the first scientist to discover the impact of the properties of probiotics—also known as that “good bacteria.” The terms “dys” and “symbiosis” translate to “not living in harmony.”

When the gut flora is balanced, it is called “orthobiosis,” which again is a term introduced by Dr. Metchnikoff in the early 1900s. He considered dysbiosis so serious that is also said, “death begins in the gut.” The issue here is that not all of the friendly organisms in the gut flora are “friendly.” In fact, when there is an overgrowth of bacteria, parasites, fungus, yeast, or other organisms, it can lead to dysbiosis.

The mechanism of development.

Colonization resistance is violated and over-reproduce those species that are normally represented in a minimal amount, including opportunistic and putrefactive m / o, which produce toxic substances.

Disbiosis is characterized by:

1. A sharp decrease in the total number of m / o (some species completely disappear).

2. Predominance of the species that are normally represented in a minimum amount (or not at all): p. Pseudomonas, R.Proteus, R. Klebsiella, fungi of the R. Candida, staphylococci.

The following are some of the dysbiosis causes:

• Antibiotic use: Antibiotics seem to be prescribed for everything these days, especially when they are not needed (i.e. in cases of the common cold, the flu, bronchitis, most sore throats, and many ear and sinus infections). Every time antibiotics are taken, they kill all the bacteria—even the “good” kind. Over prescribing antibiotics will also cause antibiotic resistance, which means the antibiotics don’t only kill the “good bacteria,” but they may not even help in cases of bacterial infections.

• Use of other drugs: Proton-pump inhibitors and antacids are designed to block hydrochloric acid production in the stomach, but that acid is the first line of defense against microbes that enter the body with food. When that acid is blocked, the body no longer defends against the “bad microbes.” The overuse of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) also inhibits the growth of the “good bacteria.”

• Fermentation: Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is a carbohydrate intolerance condition induced by bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine, large intestine, and stomach. Any carbohydrate will ferment by the “bad bacteria” and produce toxic waste products as a result.

• Chronic stress: Chronic stress will increase hormone levels, and this also highly impairs the immune system, which creates an environment in the GI tract that is susceptible to dysbiosis.

• Poor diet: A poor diet is another major factor in dysbiosis. Low-fiber diets, high-fat and high-protein diets, and diets high in sugar and processed foods can slow down gut motility, and also often lack nutrients necessary to nourish and repair the digestive organs, including the GI tract. Candida is a type of yeast that lives off sugar and processed foods, which highly disturb the balance of organisms in the body. Gluten sensitivity is also a factor in dysbiosis.

• Environmental factors: Environmental factors that influence dysbiosis include contaminated food and water, exposure to manufactured chemicals or toxic metals, the presence of fungus or mold in the home, and living in a foggy or damp climate.