Fight ‘bac’

With the hot, lazy days of summer fast approaching, many of us will be barbequing, picnicking and taking advantage of all the fresh foods available during the summertime.

Something we need to keep in mind is to make sure we are taking the necessary precautions to ensure we are not consuming the bad bacteria that can make us sick. We want to ensure we are consuming the friendly bacteria our bodies need to maintain digestive health.

Often overlooked at this time of year is safe food handling. An invisible enemy that we can’t see, smell, or feel, bad bacteria can invade food, kitchen surfaces and utensils. By keeping our hands and surfaces washed often, not cross contaminating foods, cooking foods to the proper temperature and refrigerating foods promptly, we can help to keep food safe from harmful bacteria.

Although bacteria thrive in our bodies (more bacteria is in the digestive system than there are cells in the body) we need to keep the ratio of “friendly” bacteria higher than the “unfriendly” bacteria. When “unfriendly” bacteria take over, the effects can be harmful to our health. Diarrhea, gas, bloating, intestinal toxicity, constipation and malabsorption of nutrients can result. Not to mention the pain and damage that can result from pathogens like E. coli and Salmonella.

According to Dr. Michael Murray, N.D. “The intestinal flora is intimately involved in the host’s nutritional status and affects the immune system function, cholesterol metabolism, carcinogenesis, and aging”. Although the term probiotics (friendly bacteria) is somewhat new, the concept of improving ones health by supplementing the natural flora of the gut with additional bacteria ingested orally, dates back to the nineteenth century.

Not only can friendly bacteria counteract the unfriendly bacteria, they can do so much more.

Friendly bacteria helps aid in the digestive process, helps clean the intestinal tract, purify the colon and promote regular bowel movements. These friendly guys also produce antibiotics and antifungals that prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and fungi. They also protect us from environmental toxins such as pesticides and pollutants, reduce toxic waste at the cellular level, and stimulate the repair mechanism of cells. Not only do they contribute to the destruction of molds, viruses, and parasites they also help to maintain healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels and can break down and rebuild hormones.

Two of the most important friendly types of bacteria necessary to protect the system and maintain a healthy pH balance are: Lactobacillus acidophilus: one of the most extensively studied species of friendly bacteria found in the digestive tract, living and flourishing predominantly in the small intestine. Lactobacilli produce lactic acid in the gut, making it an unsuitable home for unfriendly bacteria. L. acidophilus is commonly recognized for its ability to inhibit microorganisms that produce disease in the vagina and urinary tract, especially Candida albicans. Another benefit is its ability to aid in developing natural defences against foreign intestinal microbes, boosting the immune system. One study, reported in 2002 in the Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand, showed that L. acidophilus has an inhibitory effect against Helicobacter pylori, the bacterium considered to be a main cause of peptic ulcers.

Bifidobacteria: live in the large intestine, or colon, where they produce some necessary vitamins. They have been used to address intestinal disorders and to support the immune system. In an in vitro study reported in Letters of Applied Microbiology (1995), bifidobacteria were shown to help remove cholesterol; this offers hope for people working to keep their cholesterol levels healthy. Specifically, Bifidobacterium bifidum is especially good at enhancing the body’s immune response and inhibiting harmful enzymes, as reported in the Archives of Pharmacal Research in 1998. Bifidobacterium longum is recognized by The Lancet (1987) as being beneficial in relieving gastrointestinal distress caused by antibiotic medications, which kill both bad and good bacteria.

AIM FloraFood® contains a special blend of three powerful friendly bacteria—L. acidophilus, B. bifidum and B. longum.

AIM FloraFood® is designed to help balance the growth of healthy bacteria in the intestinal tract. This digestive support is especially significant for travelers and for people who wish to prevent overgrowth of yeast or unhealthy bacteria (such as Candida albicans or Helicobacter pylori). AIM FloraFood® is an important choice for people who have taken antibiotics or who have eaten meat from animals that may have been treated with antibiotics. AIM FloraFood® is best taken with meals so that the stomach acid stays busy digesting food rather than attacking the healthy bacteria.

Enjoy the hot, lazy days of summer. Practice safe food handling, and fight ‘bac’ with AIM FloraFood®!

More information about AIM FloraFood® can be obtained by visiting My AIM Store website at http://awealthofhealth.myaimstore.com
You may take AIM FloraFood® with other AIM products; however, AIM PrepZymes® will break down the bacteria in AIM FloraFood®, so they should be taken at separate meals.
Parts Reprinted with permission of AIM International, Inc., Nampa, Idaho