Intestinal Flora and Brewers YeastDear thmi-fms subscriber; An estimated four pounds of bacteria reside in our intestinal tract. This bacteria has a symbiotic relationship to or own body; We give it a place to live and in return our body benefits from it being there. Approximately 85 percent of this bacteria is "beneficial" bacteria and 15 percent is "bad" or lets say "differently beneficial" bacteria. So, in a healthy human intestinal tract there is about 3 pounds of bacteria doing things that contribute to the health of our body, and keeping the other 1 pound of bacteria under control. One of the most plentiful bacteria residing in the colon is acidophilus. The name literally means "acid loving". It has been found that acidophilus likes to live in a slightly acid environment, a healthy colon with a pH of 5.6pH to 6.9pH is such an environment. Acidophilus is known as a fermentative bacteria because it ferments specific carbohydrates, such as milk sugar, and secrete acids in the process. These acids help to maintain the acidity in the colon. Acidophilus bacteria also synthesize valuable nutrients in the process of metabolism, which are absorbed into the bloodstream. These nutrients include essential vitamins such as niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, pyridoxine, folic acid, pantothenic acid, biotin, vitamin B12, and vitamin K, which are all utilized by the human host. As a result, our nutritional status, health and immunity are enhanced. Clearly, colon health influences the health of our whole body.[1,pg.15] If the diet is lacking in vitamin B1(thiamin), vitamin B2(riboflavin), niacin, pantothenic acid or choline, the stomach is unable to secrete sufficient hydrochloric acid.[2,pg.738] If the ecology of the intestinal flora is upset such that the colony of acidophilus bacteria is reduced can you see how that may reduce the amount of the nutrients essential for production of HCl? When HCl production is reduced the pH of the entire digestive tract is then affected, possibly making the colon more alkaline and even less favorable for the "beneficial" bacteria to thrive. As a result, candida and other less desirable bacteria take over and produce byproducts toxic to the body. See the "Soapbox" articles " Nutrient Depletion and FMS/CFS" and " Biological Terrain in FMS and CFS". You can see how lack of specific B vitamins may contribute to the low levels of hydrochloric acid in these people and negatively affect absorption of a number of other nutrients as a result of low hydrochloric acid production. One goal of the program is to increase metabolism (using FIR sauna) which as a byproduct will increase CO2 levels in the blood. You may recall from previous postings that CO2 is also required for the production of HCl in the stomach. Also, sodium is required for HCl production. Speaking of CO2, I recently came across the following which I found to be very interesting.
Electrolyte Buffers: The most plentiful, which are referred to as the
XCO3's, are sodium, calcium and potassium. These three minerals work in
the blood, lymph, extracellular and intracellular fluids to bind acids,
which are then removed through the urine. It would then appear that with a reduction in CO2 in the blood, which would happen with a lowered metabolism, the amount of sodium, calcium, and potassium lost through urination may be increased. (Anyway, that is beside the point of this article) Back to the topic of bacteria. When HCl production is increased it should then help to rid the body of the bacteria that prefer a more alkaline environment, ie. candida. When colon pH is returned to a more acidic state, probiotic supplementation should then help to reestablish the beneficial bacteria colonies. In the meantime, how do we get the vitamins that would normally have been produced by the good bacteria and is important for production of HCl by the stomach. Which brings me to the point of this article. One of the food supplements that I suggest a person take is brewer's yeast. As was pointed out earlier, acidophilus bacteria generate a number of B vitamins and other nutrients. It then makes sense that another bacteria, brewer's yeast, is a very high source for these same nutrients. The product that I recommend, purely for reason of taste, is Lewis Lab's brand. (Note: I have ordered a debittered brewer's yeast and will report on the experience if that passes my taste test.) Anyway, until the intestinal flora is returned to healthy levels, I suggest that a person take brewer's yeast and also include foods in the diet that provide these B vitamins and other nutrients.
One drink that I will often make for breakfast is:
Mix in blender
1 1/2 cups filtered water (If you are lactose intolerant you may try the above, substituting the water and whey with a similar quantity of a non-dairy replacement drink like soy or almond milk however many of these products are highly sweetened.) Well I hope that this has been helpful information. I'll write about another suggested food in my next post to the forum.
All the best, | ||
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