The Role of Beneficial Bacteria in Immune Health
The destruction of beneficial bacteria in the human digestive tract, particularly the colon, can severely impact the body’s immune system. These good bacteria help keep the immune system alert and ready to fight off harmful bacteria that may cause infections.
Jeffrey Weiser, MD, a Professor of Microbiology and Pediatrics, uses a simple analogy to explain this. He compares the immune system to a car engine, saying it’s much easier to move a car when the engine is idling than when it’s turned off.
Understanding the Impact of Antibiotics on the Immune System
Dr. Jeffrey Weiser explains that one of the major complications of antibiotic therapy is secondary infection. This is particularly concerning in hospital settings. According to Weiser, antibiotics can shut down the immune system by killing not just the harmful bacteria but also the beneficial ones. This deactivates the immune system, making it less efficient in responding to new infections.
How Beneficial Bacteria Protect the Body
Beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract help stimulate the production of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in the body’s defense against pathogens. Broad-spectrum antibiotics, while eliminating the harmful bacteria causing illness, also destroy these good bacteria. This can cause neutrophils to become dormant, slowing their response to genuine threats and giving invading bacteria a head start.
Rejuvenating Beneficial Bacteria After Antibiotics
Thankfully, research indicates that beneficial bacteria can naturally repopulate the digestive tract over time, drawing from environmental sources like air and water. Probiotics can act as a temporary cleaning crew, quickly using up resources that harmful bacteria need, thereby priming the digestive tract for more permanent beneficial bacteria. Once their job is done, probiotics are gently expelled from the body.
For a more hospitable environment for healthy bacteria, I recommend using a high-quality probiotic supplement such as Latero-Flora. This supplement, derived from microorganisms found in Icelandic soil, is 100% safe and natural. My family and I take it daily.
Incorporating Probiotics into Your Diet
Besides supplements, consuming probiotic-rich foods can help. These include cultured yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, miso soup, tempeh, kimchi, blue-green algae, and some dark chocolates. While these foods are beneficial, a probiotic supplement generally contains a higher concentration of beneficial microorganisms.
If you must take antibiotics, I strongly advise taking a quality probiotic supplement to restore balance to your gut bacteria. This not only promotes better health but also strengthens your immune system’s ability to fight infections.