Showing posts with label antibiotics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label antibiotics. Show all posts

Saturday, April 22, 2017

Listen , Your Poop Is 'Talking' to You

Whether you talk about your poop or not, is no big deal. But know for a fact that your poop talks to you every time. So listen up and be in the know.

Talk 1: If your poop is ... so Explosive, Liquid, and of seaweed dark green colour.

Poop may mean:  You have a Clostridium difficile (C.diff.) infection. It's becoming more common and usually occurs after a course of antibiotics. C.diff is a normal part of the flora in your digestive tract, but taking antibiotics drugs can kill off the good friendly bacteria that normally keeps C.diff in check. As a result, the good bacteria may proliferate uncontrollably and cause serious stomach health issues that can lead to dehydration, hospitalization, and in extreme cases may even be deadly. So the quick remedy is to drink at least two glasees of water (230 ml glass size) every 30 hours period. Call your doctor immediately, if still in severe pain. If you are still taking a course of antibiotics, find out if you should stop.

Talk 2:  If your poop is ... pencil-thin size.

Poop may mean: You're constipated, or be an indication of rectal cancer. If you notice pencil-thin stool for a day or two, it's probably not an issue. It may occurif you're constipated and straining a lot, which prevents the muscles in the anal sphincter from opening and can narrow the passage way stool comes out. Adding more water and fresh fruit s daily can help. But if the pencil-thin poop is ongoing for a week, it could indicate rectal cancer. With rectal cancer, the tumor is fixed and rigid and encircles the rectum so there's less space for stool to squeeze through so it appears very thin and stringy. Remedy for this situation is drink water regularly.

Talk 3: If your poop is ... Smells like sulfur or rotten eggs and you have diarrhea.

Poop may mean: Youcoiuld have giardia. The parasite tends to hang out in fresh water, so if you went swimming in lake, have gone camping , or drank unpurified water recently, you may have picked up the bug along the way. The issue here isn't always as obvious as you may think. You could have diarrhea for weeks or even months, but otherwise feel fine. Your doctor can run a 'stool sample test' to diagnose it, and certain medicine can treat it. Meanwhile always remember to drink enough water every 90 minutes-interval with a pinch of natural seasalt on your tongue.

Talk 4: If your poop ... floats instead of sinking.

Poop may mean: You have excess gas in your digestive tract. If you've been eating lots or too much beans, sprouts, cabbage, or very large meals per sitting, it's perfectly normal for stool to float because of gass, and it's not a cause for over concern. However, if floaters poop become more common than a week for you or you spot an oil-slick appearance, it could mean something is preventing your body's ability to absorb fats from food. Inflammation or an infection in your pancreas could prevent you from producing enough digestive enzymes. A food allergy or infection could be damaging the lining of your intestines that's affecting absorption, too. Do a stool sample test to see if there's fat that shouldn't be there. Exercise and drink more water can help this situation.


 

Monday, February 20, 2017

Water Cure Acid Reflux/Heartburn

Subject: Re: Maher Hakim Testomonial 
Date: Sun, 10 Oct 2010 17:07:43 +0400 
From: Maher Hakim  
To: Robert Butts

About 3 months back I had a sever heart burn at 4 am which I thought it was a heart attack. After very panicky night/morning I stated to feel sever pain when I sleep on either side or even when I lay on my back, the pain was hard along with some sort of a shiver and massive bloating and bleaches. I lost my ability to sleep even though I have tried all possible solutions (PPI, Anti Acid, Raise the bed…etc) but nothing can stop the pain. I did an endoscopy and I was diagnosed with a small hernia, a small esophagus diverticulium and some bacteria in the stomach (h. Pylori). 

I was given more PPI and a lot of antibiotics for about 30 days. My sleep problem grow worse to a full fledge PSYCHOLOGICAL INSOMNIA (fear of sleeping) and I was diagnosed by my psychiatrist with sever anxiety and put me on 3 different medications (with horrible possible side effects). My over all health has deteriorated because of sever the anxiety that was coming from the fact that I cannot sleep at night without the help of drugs and I was over worried about my family well-being ( a lovely wife and 2 children) in case I die. Of course before all this started I did not have fear of sleep nor fear of death. 

After seeing many top notch doctors and after I have done a lot of research on the internet and have reached the conclusion that I have a serious case of systemic candidas because of the frequent use of antibiotics. But however now my serious insomnia along with the 3 heavy PSYCHOLOGICAL drugs made me feel like a zombie with few days left to live. Boy it is sure a horrible and helpless feeling.

Today I was on the internet and read about the water cure (which by the way it should be renamed to "The water and sea salt cure") and I have reached out to my sea salt and put 1/4 teaspoon in a large glass of pure water and drank…. and WOW immediately my body pains decreased and my overall mental zombie mode improved from depression and fear to a bit more normal and more positive mind set, which have made me feel good enough to write this testimonial.

So I will continue with the Sea Salt & Water regimen and will keep you updated on my improvement.

Keep up the great work and god bless those who truly give and not desire to be mere takers. 

Kind Regards,
Maher Hakim

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Your Body's Water Affects Bacteria and Its Life-Long Influence on Health and Aging

Healing Powers of Water

How the Condition of Your Body's Water Affects Bacteria and Its Life-Long Influence on Health and Aging

© Copyright 2001 by Yoshitaka Ohno, M.D., Ph.D., and Howard Reminick, Ph.D., USA
(Explore Issue: Volume 10, Number 3)

Modern medicine has developed rapidly over the past 100 years, thanks to the science of antibiotics and high-tech surgical procedures. We can all feel secure that a plague or epidemic will not wipe out large populations. Most diseases that were common years ago are under control. Since modern medicine is driven by pharmacology, new drugs will always be discovered that will deal with any new outbreak.

Yet, when we take a closer look, the incidence in diseases that do not respond to modern medicine continues to rise. There is a steady increase in diseases such as Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, hypertension and diabetes. According to the World Health Organization, diabetes will affect 300 million people by the year 2025. The rate is tripling in developing countries with access to modern medicine. Alzheimer's disease, which currently is at 2 or 3 million, is expected to rise to over 12 million by 2025.

Due to the increase in the aged population, multiple diseases are becoming common. This accounts for the huge pharmaceutical industry. Although new drugs have been effective for most acute diseases, more drugs are being prescribed for chronic diseases attributed to aging without any significant results. The aged are rapidly becoming a multi-drug culture.

What are we missing in trying to discover the causes of chronic diseases, which start us aging sooner while we live longer? A new population has now been identified--the chronically old and sick. It is very likely that most of us will be a part of this group.

Even more alarming is the increase in colon cancer and other intestinal disorders. Radiation treatment and chemotherapy are commonly prescribed for cancer patients. However, the statistics show that life expectancy is no greater for those undergoing these treatments than for those who refuse them. It seems that surgery and drugs are not really the answer.

The rate of colon cancer is rapidly increasing in Japan. Before World War II, Japan enjoyed one of the best health records in the world. Their diet consisted mostly of rice, fish and vegetables. The incidence of colon cancer was very low. After the war, their diet changed dramatically. Western influence provided new foods such as beef, milk, and cheese. More dramatically was the rise in fast food restaurants, exposing the Japanese people to high intake of fats. Previously, fat consumption was 20 grams per day. This rose to 70 grams. Colon cancer began to rise in Japan to where it now equals the rate found in America.


One factor attributed to the sharp increase in colon cancer is a breakdown of the bile that is secreted by the liver and stored in the gall bladder. The chemistry of bile has been found to have changed drastically. The change in quality of bile as it is transferred from the liver to the gall bladder to the colon has resulted in con-taminated and toxic bile. Secondary bile acid, such as deoxycholic acid, is a major contributor to cancer. This, along with water toxicity and the high fat content of junk foods, has created an increase in colon and liver cancers in Japan.

The key to production of secondary bile acid is seen in analyzing the fermentation process in intestinal flora. Secondary bile acid is a major factor in the breakdown of fermentation in the intestines. As it builds up in the blood, chronic diseases that are related to the deterioration of intestinal flora and difficult to treat occur. The accumulation of calcium in the gall bladder, resulting in gallstones, is attributed to secondary bile acid.

How the Nature of Bacteria is Explained in Fermentation 

Much of our work in research has involved the relationship and influence of the breakdown of intestinal flora and cancer. Flora exists in a healthy, productive state and is produced when fermentation in the body follows a normal pattern. Fermentation is responsible for hormone production, immune system effectiveness, vitamin production and assimilation, cholesterol metabolism and synthesis, control of glucose levels and normal bowel functioning. Without healthy intestinal flora, protein synthesis cannot take place; thus effectiveness of vital animo acids is lost.

Fermentation is necessary in the production of many consumable products. Bacteria in fermentation make cheese, yogurt and buttermilk. Fermentation is responsible for the production of wine. In fact, it was because the grape crop in France was in danger of destruction that the wine industry commissioned Louis Pasteur to discover the cause. As a result, the application of Pasteur's theory of fermentation saved the day, making him the most respected scientist of his time.

During the second half of the nineteenth century, different schools of thought regarding fermentation developed. Pasteur, who had the attention of the scientific community based on his discoveries, strongly supported Theodore Schwann, who concluded that fermentation was based on a biological theory. Fermentation, according to Schwann and Pasteur, must occur within living cells.

Basically, Schwann believed that the growth of yeast could only be determined if living cells are involved in the process. When glucose ferments, it allows yeast bacteria to be continually produced. Pasteur added that this applied not only to alcohol fermentation but also lactic fermentation, caused by lactic bacteria, and vinegar fermentation, caused by vinegar acid fermentation. Since, according to Pasteur's thinking, the fermentation process could not take place outside of living cells it was called the Biological Theory.


However, about the same time Justus von Liebig argued against Pasteur's theory. He believed that fermentation was caused by changes in the molecular structure of bacteria, not the bacteria, per se, as Pasteur believed. Von Liebig's argument was that fermentation was caused by the transfer of movement of bacteria, creating a chemical change in yeast, not in the bacteria itself. Fermentation took place during this activity. Since fermentation is an anaerobic process, the electrons generated in the breakdown of glucose are donated to an oxidized organic molecule (oxidation). This stresses the importance of electron transfer, which becomes a catalyst in fermentation. Since this creates a change in the chemistry in a substance (such as yeast) and is responsible for its fermentation, his theory was known as the Chemical Fermentation Theory.

A bitter debate continued between whom was right until Pasteur died. However, as a result of the attention it drew from the scientific world, Eduard and Hans Buchner found what is now the most accepted cause of fermentation. (An important fact to remember, however, is that Pasteur changed his mind and recanted his "Germ Theory" before his death. However, medicine was too committed to acknowledge this and continued to move ahead with Pasteur's theory. The result is seen today in the huge, lucrative pharmaceutical industry.)

Like most discoveries that make history, the Buchners' was accidentally caused during an experiment in which they attempted to make cell-free extracts of yeast to be used as a pharmaceutical. Because these extracts could not be preserved with antiseptics, they added sucrose, (a commonly used food preservative) to the yeast. Then they left their lab for the night.

The next morning they were astonished to find that the yeast fluid had become alcohol during fermentation. As a result, they were able to prove that alcohol fermentation does not need living cells and therefore, it is not created by the grape itself but by a chemical catalyzing reaction. They also suggested what has become widely accepted, that an enzyme can be produced without originating from a living cell--enzymes are in themselves a life element. This changed what was almost universal thinking up to that time, as well as refuting Pasteur's theory. As a result of this discovery, the Buchners received the Nobel Prize in 1907.

As a footnote, there is still much resistance from the scientific community as to the acceptance of the Buchners' findings--how bacteria change in the body. Because of this resistance, we believe that medical science is losing an opportunity in understanding the role of bacteria in the disease and aging processes.

Since bacteria do not require oxygen to create an enzyme in fermentation, more than a dozen fermentation processes have evolved among bacteria, each using a different organic molecule as the hydrogen receptor. Each becomes a different acid. To add even more credibility to what the Buchners discovered over 100 years ago, we now know through the results of numerous studies that many of the reactions of lactic fermentation are the same as those of alcohol fermentation. This brings into focus even more powerfully their biochemical similarity.


Bacteria, Fermentation and Putrefaction
We have been led to believe that all bacteria are harmful and must be destroyed. We believe bacteria are the enemy. We have come to rely on antibiotics to kill bacteria, thus killing disease in our body. This sells a lot of antibiotics. Unfortunately, in the process of killing bacteria that become unstable and pathogenic, antibiotics also kill bacteria that keep us alive. The survival power of bacteria is so great that they have learned to adjust and flourish, rendering antibiotics ineffective. No wonder the incidence of chronic diseases continues to rise. In the process of killing the enemy we are destroying that which is necessary to keep us healthy.

Bacteria have been around almost since the earth's beginning. Bacteria have also lived in our body since man's beginning. There are over 100 trillion of these organisms living in our colons. Most are necessary for digestion and elimination of waste products and play an important role in natural processing of foods. When toxins that enter our body in our food and drinking water invade bacteria, new harmful bacteria are formed. These create disease.

Historically, especially in primitive societies, man respected nature and was nurtured by it. Also, historically, man and bacteria have always had a healthy relationship. Bacteria supported all forms of life. But our search for scientific knowledge turned to arrogance and this relationship changed. Since that time, man and bacteria have been at war, and the spoils of this war have been increased--incurable diseases.

When we became sophisticated in scientific thought and discovery, it was decided that bacteria were no longer needed. Rational, scientific theory and medical science propagated Pasteur's Germ Theory--that disease was caused by bacteria and had to be destroyed. This theory was developed into standard practice, which is still driving modern medicine. The tools--antibiotics-- were now available for man to conquer his or her own destiny.

Through all this, bacteria responded, "Why are you destroying us? We're your friends. You owe your lives to us." Man continued to find new weapons--antibiotics--the state of the art defense system. The war with bacteria was going to be won. But the foe became a superior enemy. Bacteria are stronger and will always survive. Sometimes they go into retreat, making us believe we have won. Then they come back, even stronger and attack aggressively. New antibiotics are created and leveled at the body, but bacteria adapt and build a resistance. Disease flourishes.

The problem, therefore, is what we have come to believe--that bacteria are the cause of the disease. Yet, we have learned through our research that it is how the bacteria change in the fermentation process when they become unstable that result in disease, not the bacteria. This is due to oxidation, or loss of electrons, which change the structure of bacteria, making them aggressive and dangerous. Intestinal flora break down and attack the organs rather than help maintain them. Healthy bacteria change and become dangerous. Many serious, chronic diseases begin.



We hydrate our body everyday with toxic water. Chemicals in our food enter the intestines. Fermentation is the result of healthy bacteria, and that creates a healthy body. Putrefaction is the result of a structural change in bacteria, making them aggressive and destructive, which leads to the body's destruction.

The difference between fermentation and putrefaction is the difference in electron oxidation/reduction and the same process that has been identified as the free-radical theory of disease. Put simply, in fermentation, bacteria maintain paired electron stability, which allow them to perform their vital functions in the body. In putrefaction, bacteria lose an electron to become unstable and aggressive, attacking cells and stealing electrons making these cells unstable. This is what is seen in cancerous cells--unstable, aggressive cells with an odd number of electrons.

A simple example that explains how the body reacts differently to fermentation and putrefaction is seen in how the digestive and elimination systems function. Under normal conditions, fermentation allows bacteria to perform a vital role in maintaining homeostasis of the body. We enjoy regular bowel movements to remove waste materials from the intestines before putrefaction overcomes fermentation. However, the results of putrefaction are seen in constipation, when the body is unable to eliminate waste materials, which changes the structure of bacteria and promotes the formation of disease in the intestines and colon. Interestingly and fortunately, diarrhea becomes the body's way of eliminating a large build up of toxicity created by putrefaction. So it is constipation that is the more serious condition. Constipation is a breakdown of natural fermentation. When intestinal flora change from fermentation to putrefaction, disease begins.

What are some of the causes of putrefaction?
The overuse of drugs and toxins in food and water are the most common influences. It is not surprising that there is a direct relationship between the increase food and water toxicity and the overuse of prescribed medications and the increase in chronic, aging-related diseases. With this huge increase, intestinal flora is altered by the instability of bacteria that activated this process. The result is that there has been a drastic change from fermentation to putrefaction.

When putrefaction takes over, toxins and waste products that are normally eliminated from our body are retained and enter the blood. The blood pH changes due to high acidity in body fluids. Over time, if the body remains in high acidity, the blood with become acidic and a condition known as acidosis will occur. This puts the body in a diseased state, destroying organs and eventually leading to death.

Water is a Vital Force in the Stability of the Fermentation Process.

To better understand the role of fermentation in the stability of bacteria in intestinal flora, we need to look at the significant role that the quality and content of the body's water plays. Briefly speaking, how water reacts to stabilize bacteria is critical to how bacteria either support or disrupt fermentation. Disrupted fermentation is putrefaction--chemical imbalance at its least threatening, or disease at its most harmful.

From the very beginning of the existence of life on Earth, water has provided the medium to prevent temperature changes from disrupting growth and development of an organism. It has been the catalyst in chemical changes, from simple to complex. It has provided the medium for electrical conduction required for ionization of cells and cellular mobility.

Fluid fluctuations affect blood volume and cellular function. This can be life threatening. When the amount of water within cells is relatively constant, there is an exchange of solutes and water between compartments to maintain unique compositions. Individuals with a greater percent of body fat have less total body water percentage and are more susceptible to fluid imbalances that cause hydration.

Total body water percent decreases with age, resulting in inadequate cellular hydration. Most critical is the decrease in the intra/extra cellular fluid ratio. With age also, kidney function becomes less efficient in producing urine and conserving sodium.

It seems that there are two major issues about water in our body that must be resolved if the body is to remain in a state of harmony and balance. First, the water in our body must be able to prevent toxins and chemical substances from accumulating and creating destructive influences in cells. Water must bring all minerals and nutrients required for metabolism into the cells and remove any substances that can damage the cell. It must be able to protect the cell membrane from damage and invasion.

Second, since water is involved in every function of the body, it must act as a conductor of electrochemical activity, such as neurotransmission, by transferring information from one nerve cell to another smoothly and efficiently. When water with a weak, electromagnetic signal enters nerve cells, the synapses cannot generate strong impulses between cells.

Relationship of Magnetism, Water and Cell Stability

What is a living cell? It is one large molecule, tied together by a matrix of water molecules. Like the atoms that compose them, they are tied together by ionic bonds consisting of positive and negative charges on their outer surfaces. In order for water to form ordered, structural energy bonds around cells, there must be an active magnetic influence present. Water molecules lose order when they are not adequately magnetized. Inadequate magnetized molecules will disrupt hydration around them, creating disorganized movement for both the cell and surrounding water. Magnetism takes place when electrons orbit round their atoms. The electrons circling around atoms resist attempts to disturb their usual orbits so they can create their own magnetic fields. If neighboring electrons are made to spin so their poles are aligned in the same direction, the cell becomes magnetically activated.

The energy in moving water generates many negative ions. As water breaks up, positive charges remain and the negative charge moves freely, forming negative ions. Recent studies have reported that ions have a pronounced effect on all of life. Studies on air borne bacteria that cause respiratory illnesses have found that an amazingly small amount of negative ions could kill these bacteria and remove them from the air.

Since water is the medium through which all electrochemical activity takes place, its ability to respond to the electromagnetic field is also critical in the body's health maintenance and healing process. Water does not exist as a single molecule, but resembles a bunch of grapes, with about 30-40 molecules in each cluster. (Sometimes there are as much as 50 or 60.) However, if water has been naturally formed with its own magnetism, molecular clusters separate into smaller clusters of five or six molecules per cluster. It is also more organized in structure and movement.

Water, despite the simplicity of its molecular structure, exhibits a complex behavior when it is influenced by electromagnetism and exchanges energy with its environment. The bonding of two molecules creates interactions of cooperation and coherence that changes the random behavior of molecules. If water has natural magnetic properties, including its own magnetic wave, it can communicate and transfer information from one molecule to another to maintain consistency in the way various bodily processes function. This keeps water at a consistent frequency, much the same as when a radio dial is on a direct frequency. When the dial is moved even slightly, static occurs and the signal is lost.

Chemistry of body fluids must be balanced in order for the process of fermentation to function normally. This requires a pH acid/alkaline balance. Normal blood pH has a very small window of normalcy. It must range between 7.35 and 7.45. This means that there is an adequate amount of oxygen in the blood. Any slight decrease in blood pH will result in lower oxygen levels and, therefore, in the cells. Even a slight drop in pH is the beginning of a disease state.

For water to be most effective in our body, it is necessary that it contain ionized minerals required to nourish and protect cells, including bacteria. It should have a slightly higher pH, which is necessary to assure that the body fluids do not become and remain over acidic, resulting in putrefaction. However, because of contamination in our environment (such as toxic wastes and chemical additives to food and drinking water) minerals have been depleted, resulting in metabolic disturbances, creating a more rapid disease and aging process to occur.


Discovering a Naturally Magnetized Water from Japan's Ancient Magnetic Mountain.
We have spent several years researching and studying a naturally magnetized water that Dr. Ohno discovered in Japan. The history of this water is remarkable and explains why it can have health and anti-aging benefits. According to geological records, a sea volcano erupted millions of years ago and rose to the surface, becoming a mountain. This occurred about the same time a huge meteorite shower poured down in this region. As a result, the magnetite from the meteorites bonded with the granite and limestone in the mountain and created a continuous magnetic effect on the water deposited in this magnetic mountain. The water has a stable history of magnetic influence on the ionization of its 74 minerals. In comparison to other water that we have studied which is artificially magnetized, the magnetization in this water continues after it is removed from its source. This has been verified in scientific study.

Three natural conditions are created in this magnetic environment, which give this water its unique qualities. First, it contains a balance of essential minerals not found in any other water. This includes trace minerals that have been depleted in soil and drinking water sources. Second, its natural magnetization allows molecules to be more highly organized in structure and movement, forming smaller clusters and allows it to be more easily absorbed and utilized by cells. Third, it has a slightly higher alkaline pH, between 7.60 and 7.80 which helps keep bodily fluids from becoming acidic. Because of its natural ionization, it can replace electrons lost by cells and bacteria before they become free radicals. It has a 1.02:1.00 density ratio to non-magnetized water.

The quality, content and activity of the water in our body and how it creates stability of bacteria and all other cells will affect how well we age and how well our body can control disease. If the water in our body is magnetized with ample negative polarity in its ions, it can provide electron reduction to bacteria through its magnetization effect, thus stabilizing bacteria. Much of what has been learned about naturally magnetized water relates to its effect on the environment of the cells.

The cells are constantly exposed to toxicity, both from the external environment and the body's internal environment. As a result of many years of studying the effects of naturally magnetized water on health and aging problems, Dr. Ohno has concluded that if the body is 70% water, bacteria and all other cells are 70% water, then the relationship of water to human health must be given priority and investigating causes of health and aging disorders. This can add credence to theories regarding aging and disease, which are creating a new force in medicine.

Friday, December 16, 2016

Chapter 4 THE PROBIOTIC MIRACLE

Chapter 4

THE PROBIOTIC MIRACLE

An Army Of Billions

When you were born, your intestines were free of microorganisms, virtually sterile. Almost immediately, however, bacteria, both beneficial and harmful, fought for dominance.[1*]
 If you were breast fed, somewhere between days four and seven after you were born, the "good guys" won the battle and staked their claim to virtually every square inch of your digestive tract—from your mouth to your anus.[2**]
 (Researchers now realize that one of the chief reasons breast-fed babies get so many fewer infections than formula-fed babies is that mother's milk tends to promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, whereas store-bought formulas have
little such beneficial effect.) Anyway, the net result is that in a breast-fed baby, beneficial bacteria
(such as bifidobacteria) control over 90% of the intestinal tract. These microorganisms, in turn, produce a large amount of essential byproducts in the intestines, which act as a barrier to the growth of dangerous pathogenic microbes that can cause disease and infection.

[1*: It's a battle that's never totally won; the harmful bacteria are never completely eliminated. But in a healthy body, the bad guys never get a chance to gain a foothold—to colonize—to reproduce exponentially. One of the problems, of course, is that every second of every single day, we are constantly being exposed to billions and billions of potentially harmful microorganisms with every breath we take or bit of food that we swallow or swig of water that we drink.]

[2**: The same battle is fought in the vaginal tract, the nasal cavities, and in the mouth. Just as a note, there are some 40 different types of bacteria resident in a healthy mouth alone.]


   When you're healthy, over 100 trillion microorganisms from some 400 different species flourish in your intestinal tract, aiding in digestion, absorption, and the production of significant amounts of B vitamins and enzymes. But even more importantly, they cover virtually every square inch of available surface space from your mouth to your anus, thus crowding out all harmful bacteria—allowing them no place to gain a foothold.

  Unfortunately,the levels of beneficial bacteria decline dramatically as the human body ages. Some of the reasons for this decline include:

> Over time, the colonies of friendly bacteria just naturally age and lose their vitality.

> Disruptions and changes in the acid/alkaline balance of the bowels can play a major role in reducing the growth of beneficial bacteria. In addition, these changes tend to favor the growth of harmful viral and fungal organisms as well as putrefactive, disease-causing bacteria.

> Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) like Advil, Motrin, Midol, etc. are destructive to intestinal flora.

> Chlorine in the drinking water not only serves to kill bacteria in the water; it is equally devastating to the colonies of beneficial bacteria living in the intestines.

 > Radiation and chemotherapy are devastating to your inner bacterial environment.

> Virtually all meat, chicken, and dairy that you eat (other than organic) is loaded with antibiotics, which destroy all of the beneficial bacteria in your gastrointestinal tract.

 > A diet high in meats and fats, because they take so long to break down in the human body, promotes the growth of the harmful, putrefying bacteria.

 > Constipation, of course, allows harmful bacteria to hang around longer, which allows them to proliferate.

> Cigarettes, alcohol, and stress are also major culprits, as are some antibiotic herbs,
such as goldenseal (if taken in sufficient quantity).

> And if you've ever been subjected to a round of "medicinal" antibiotics, you can kiss your beneficial bacteria goodbye. The problem is that antibiotics indiscriminately destroy both bad and good bacteria, allowing virulent, mutant strains of harmful microorganisms to emerge and run rampant inside the body.[1*]

A properly functioning intestinal tract is one of your body's first lines of defense against invaders. In a healthy colon there are, on average, anywhere from 100 billion to 100 trillion beneficial bacteria per milliliter (about 1/5 of a teaspoon) that literally consume harmful bacteria and other invaders. In the typical American, because of poor diet and neglect of the colon, the beneficial bacteria count may be as low as four or five per milliliter. Just compare 100 trillion to four, and ...

[1* Antibiotics (both medicinal and in our food supply) are the #1 culprit in the overgrowth of harmful pathogens in the gastrointestinal tract (a condition called dysbiosis) that may be at the root of many autoimmune disorders and certain cancers.

...you'll have an understanding of the scope of the problem. Many researchers now believe that declining levels of friendly bacteria in the intestinal tract may actually mark the onset of chronic degenerative disease. The benefits of a probiotically optimized intestinal tract include:
>Lowered cholesterol;

>Inhibition of cancer;

>Protection against food poisoning;

>Protection against stomach ulcers;

>Protection against lactose intolerance and casein intolerance;

>Enhanced immunity;

>Protection against many harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi;

>Protection against candida overgrowth and vaginal yeast infections;

>Prevention and correction of constipation and diarrhea, ileitis and colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and a whole range of other digestive tract dysfunctions;

>Improvement in the health and appearance of the skin;

>Better nutrition from improved absorption and the internal generation of B vitamins;

>Protection against vaginosis and yeast infections.

Summary

  There can be no true health or recovery from disease unless you have colonies of over 100 trillion beneficial microorganisms flourishing throughout your intestinal tract, aiding in digestion,
absorption, the production of significant amounts of vitamins and enzymes, and working to crowd out all harmful bacteria—allowing them no place to gain a foothold. Supplementation with a
good probiotic is mandatory to raise your baseline of health.

General Recommendations

  A good probiotic formula is absolutely essential for long-term intestinal health and long-term parasite control. When choosing a probiotic, look for the following characteristics:

  Not all strains of beneficial bacteria are created equal. For each type of bacteria, there are recognized super strains. Choose a formula that uses only recognized super strains of beneficial bacteria. They will be identified as such on the label or in the company literature. If the strains are not identified, don't buy it.

  Make sure the formula you choose was developed using full-culture processing so that the beneficial bacteria and its powerful supernatant are kept together. The supernatant, which is the medium the culture was grown in, contains a multitude
of beneficial byproducts of the growth process, including vitamins, enzymes, antioxidants, and immune stimulators. 

  Then there's the question of how many live microorganisms are left in your formula when you actually use it. Pick up any probiotic formula, look at the label, and you'll see something like: "Contains 13 billion live organisms per capsule at time of manufacture." And that's the problem: "at time of manufacture." The die-off rate can be astounding. Most formulas will experience a die-off approaching log-3 (or down to a paltry 13 million) within just 60 days of manufacture.[1*]
 Heat and moisture accelerate the process, which is why most manufacturers recommend that both you and the store in which you bought your formula keep your probiotic supply refrigerated.

  There are many beneficial bacteria that can be contained in a good probiotic, but two are preeminent. Look for a formula based on these two:
- L. acidophilus resides primarily in the small intestine [2*]
 and produces a number of powerful antimicrobial compounds in the gut (including acidolin, acidolphilin, lactocidin, and bacteriocin). These compounds can inhibit the growth and toxin producing capabilities of some 23 known disease-causing pathogens (including campylobacter, listeria, and staphylococci), as well as reduce tumor growth and effectively neutralize or inhibit carcinogenic substances. There are three recognized super strains of acidophilus: DDS, NAS, and BT1386. You will find DDS and NAS
in most of the better formulas, but my personal preference is for BT1386. It has an extremely high potential for attachment to the epithelial cells that line the intestine; it's a high producer of hydrogen peroxide, which kills pathogenic bacteria; and, of
the three strains, it's the only one capable of utilizing glycogen to survive and flourish, which means it can thrive in the urinary tract, where it produces lactic acid to inhibit the growth of pathogens. This is particularly important to women to help prevent a whole range of vaginal infections.

- Many researchers believe that declining levels of bifidobacteria in the large intestine actually mark the eventual onset of chronic degenerative disease. Bifidobacteria benefit the body in a number of ways. They (1) consume old fecal matter; (2) have the ability to remove cancer-forming elements, or the enzymes which lead to their formation; (3) protect against the formation of liver, colon, and mammary gland tumors. And in addition to all of that, (4) bifidobacteria are substantial producers of a range of important B vitamins.

  More is not always better. Too many beneficial bacteria in one formula may find the bacteria competing with each other before they can establish themselves in separate areas of the intestinal tract. On the other hand, there are several other bacteria that are extremely beneficial in any probiotic formula.

- L salivarius helps digest foods in the intestinal tract and makes vital nutrients more assimilable. It also works to eat away encrusted fecal matter throughout the entire colon; it helps repair the intestinal tract by providing needed enzymes and essential nutrients; and it adheres to the intestinal wall, thereby forming a living matrix that helps protect the mucosal lining.

[1* There is a new process called LiveBac®, which significantly retards the rate of die-off. Look for formulas that make use of this process.]

[2* It's also important to note that L. acidophilus is the primary beneficial bacteria in the vaginal tract. When the presence of the acidophilus is compromised, this allows the bad guys such as Gardnerella vaginalis or E. coli or Chlamydia to take over.

- L. rhamnosus is a powerful immune stimulator. It can increase the natural killing activity of spleen cells, which may help to prevent tumor formation. It boosts the ability of the body to destroy foreign invaders and other harmful matter by three times normal activity; and has been shown to increase circulating antibody levels by six to
eight times.

- L. plantarum has the ability to eliminate thousands of species of pathogenic bacteria. It also has extremely high adherence potential for epithelial tissue and seems to favor colonizing the same areas of the intestinal tract that E. coli prefers—in effect, serving to crowd E. coli out of the body. At one time, plantarum was a major part of our diets (found in sourdough bread, sauerkraut, etc.), but is now virtually nowhere to be found.

- Other important friendly bacteria you might find in a good formula include: Streptococcus thermophilus, L. bulgaricus, and L. casei.

- Much has been written about the properties of the soil-based bacteria such as: Bacillus subtilis, L. sporogenes, and B. laterosporus. For many people, they can produce a powerful boost to the immune system. But, in certain circumstances, they may become toxic. It's hard to argue with the great results that many people have had using formulations that contain these cultures. On the other hand, it's possible to get all of the same results using only the "safer" cultures that I've mentioned above.

- Note: a good probiotic formulation will usually contain fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) which help promote the growth of beneficial bacteria.[1]

  - One final note: start slowly. When you first start using a probiotic supplement, there is a good chance that you will precipitate a die-off of bad bacteria in your intestinal tract. This can lead to excessive gas and stomach rumblings and cramping
for 10-21 days. Start with one capsule (or even half) for several days. Build up slowly to the recommended dosage for your particular supplement.

>Eating yogurt (unless you make your own) does not really help. First, the bacteria used to make most yogurt (L. bulgaricus and S. thermophilus) are not the key beneficial bacteria, although they are indeed helpful. (Some brands throw a small amount of acidophilus in after the fact—just so they can put it on the label). Even more important, though, much of the yogurt that you buy in the store is now pasteurized after it is made. Pasteurization before the yogurt culture is introduced is essential to the making of yogurt; but pasteurization after the culture has been allowed to grow is done merely to increase shelf life and totally destroys all the benefits inherent in the yogurt.

>A diet high in complex carbohydrates such as fruits, grains, and vegetables promotes the growth of bifidobacteria in the large intestine.

>And of course, drinking chlorinated water, or eating meats or dairy produced with antibiotics, totally defeats any program you're on.

[1 For some of these bacteria, such as the Bifidus, FOS can increase their effectiveness by a factor of 1,000 times or more!! ]