Lactic Acid Bacteria - Invisible Defenders of the Body

As a rule, the word "bacterium" is associated with us with various diseases and other troubles. However, this is not quite true. After all, our body is the habitat of a wide variety of microorganisms. Among them there are even such bacteria, without which normal vital activity is impossible. This group includes lactic acid bacteria that live in the intestine of a healthy person. In general, they are a group of gram-positive microaerophilic microorganisms that promote fermentation of carbohydrates, forming lactic acid. Such fermentation is often used both in the industrial production of products for the preservation and processing of beverages and food, and at home.

In the body, bacteria perform many useful functions. First of all, sour-milk bacteria maintain an optimal balance of acidity in the intestine due to their ability to produce acetic and lactic acid.

In addition, they contribute to the normalization of the protective function of the intestine, which helps a person cope with various pathogens and other microorganisms. Lactic acid bacteria have a beneficial effect on the liver through suppression of increased activity of metabolites.

In addition to acetic and lactic acid, these beneficial microorganisms are able to produce volatile compounds such as hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen peroxide, which effectively suppress various intestinal infections.

Many studies have shown that acid-fast bacteria, which include lactic acid microorganisms, produce a multitude of trace elements and vitamins that contribute to the recovery of the body as a whole. When interacting with other substances and with each other, they secrete enzymes necessary for normal metabolic and digestive processes, as well as better assimilation of nutrients.

Of particular interest among the whole variety of lactic acid bacteria are the microorganisms of the family Lactobacillaccae and the family Slreptocuccaccae. The latter are widely used in the manufacture of various fermented milk products: sour cream, yoghurt with fruit fillers, as well as cottage cheese. Such lactic acid bacteria as an acidophilus rod, easily take root on the walls of the intestine and prevent the division of putrefactive bacteria, harmful to human health.

In order for your body to independently maintain the necessary conditions for the reproduction of these microorganisms, special efforts are not required. It is enough to adhere to a healthy diet. Unfortunately, the modern world is arranged in such a way that it is not easy to fulfill this condition. The whole problem is that, despite the full nutrition, not all products from the daily diet meet the quality standards.

In addition to improper nutrition, intestinal microflora is adversely affected by such factors as persistent stress, alcohol abuse and smoking, and long-term antibiotic treatment.

You can restore a healthy microflora in the intestines by eating homemade milk, curdled milk, sour cream, cottage cheese or yogurt. You can use store lactic acid products, but the benefits from them will be much less.

Depending on the species, lactic acid bacteria are able to differently affect the state of the immune system. For example, bifidobacteria, in contrast to lactobacilli, inhibit the immune response. Therefore, before buying sour-milk products, pay attention to exactly what sour-milk bacteria they contain in their composition.

With the use of lactic acid microorganisms, a lot of medicines are made, which are prescribed for such disorders of the digestive system as dysbacteriosis, food poisoning, diarrhea and others.