Improving the bacterial flora of your GI tract will turn out to be one of the best forms of health prevention you can take. And, as a bonus, it's simple and inexpensive.
Here are some easy steps you can take to correct and maintain the bacterial balance in your intestines:
Minimize
your use of antibiotics.
In Alternatives Vol. 4, No. 11, May 1992, I reported
on several natural products that have antibiotic properties
but that don't disrupt the friendly bacterial flora in the
body. Some of these items include vitamin C, zinc, echinacea,
honey, and aloe vera. Make it a point to keep these on hand
and use them at the first sign of infection. The more time
you give the infection to take root, the harder it's going
to be to heal.
I predict that we'll see more and more research on the benefits
of probiotic products and natural alternatives to antibiotics,
and you'll be way ahead of the game by minimizing your use
of antibiotics now. Antibiotics solve some problems but,
as I explained in the Health Dispatch, they also create
a long list of new ones. Antibiotic-resistant microbes are
now appearing far more quickly than new products to counteract
them can be developed.
If, despite the clear health risks, you still decide to
take antibiotics, then it is imperative that you also take
supplemental probiotics along with probiotic-rich foods.
This also goes for anyone with a serious illness, longstanding
infection, or bowel problems. You should use supplemental
probiotics at least until you correct any bacterial imbalance.
I covered my favorite probiotic supplements—Lactobacillus
acidophilus and lactic acid yeast—in detail in
Alternatives Vol. 3, No. 2, August 1989. Basically,
L. acidophilus forms colonies on your intestinal walls,
helping your intestines to absorb more nutrients. For L.
acidophilus to work best, it needs to be accompanied by
milk products in the diet. If you have milk allergies, you
can instead try using a product called Lactic Acid Yeast
Wafers available from both Mountain Home Nutritionals 1-888-887-8262
and For Your Health 1-800-456-4325. A quality probiotic
product will deliver a billion live bacteria.
Reduce
the use of all drugs whenever possible. This applies
to over-the-counter drugs as well as prescription medications.
I'm not for a minute suggesting that you drop your blood
pressure or diabetes medication. Never change or eliminate
any medications without the help and guidance of your doctor.
However, it is well within your control to refrain from
running to the local pharmacy or your medicine cabinet for
every little problem that you experience. For almost every
problem imaginable, there are viable natural alternatives
that can work without the side effects of pharmaceuticals.
Decrease
your intake of sulfur-based preservatives.
Check labels for sulfur dioxide, sulfites, bisulfites, metabisulfites
or sulfates. If you see any of these included, buy another
brand!
Use
fermented milk products,
including yogurt, kefir, and buttermilk. These products
help to provide the "seed" bacteria needed to establish
a proper bacteria flora in the lower bowel. Yogurt is now
more popular, and that's a good thing. It's best to make
your own yogurt at home, but if you do buy it at the market
make sure the yogurt container has the words "live" or "active"
culture on the label.
Eat
a generous helping of oatmeal at least once a week.
Beneficial bacteria must be able to latch on if they are
going to flourish and colonize in the GI tract. Fortunately,
oat bran can help. Oats have some very unique properties.
Oat fiber is a rich source of water-soluble beta-glucans,
which have been associated with the ability to enhance the
function of the immune system. The gum in the oats promotes
the production of a protective intestinal lubricant, and
now appears to improve the adhesive capabilities and the
growth rates of beneficial bacteria strains. Please keep
in mind that instant oatmeal packets are light on the oat
bran and heavy on the sugar. If I were you, I'd stick to
plain old-fashioned, slow-cooking oats, which taste just
fine on their own.
Include
a minimum of one liberal serving of sauerkraut in your diet
each week. I can't
emphasize this enough! Several servings a week would be
even better (provided they aren't on top of hot dogs). As
we have become more technologically advanced in food preparation,
we have greatly reduced our intake of fermented foods. As
a result, we have lost one of the most potent tools ever
in our fight against pathogenic bacteria and other microbes.
Consider
adding a probiotic
to your daily supplement program.
Between 400 and 500 different species of bacteria reside
in your GI tract. Estimates are that these bacterial flora
account for as much as three pounds of your body weight.
Very few physicians understand the true importance of these
bacteria, primarily because they are not a topic of study
in medical school. Based on the miraculous rejuvenation
and healing effects I've witnessed, I am wholeheartedly
convinced that these bacteria should be re-classified in
medical teachings as a vital, integral part of the body.
We now know that problems arise when the bad bacteria are
present without the good bacteria to control them. In other
words, it's an imbalance of bacteria in the GI tract that
causes problems. Look for a probiotic that delivers at least
1 billion mixed, beneficial bacteria.
These statements have
not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These
products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent
any disease.
Toll
free: 1-888-887-8262 
