The normal balance of microbes in the gastrointestinal tract is the key to good he alth and well-being. The bulk of the microflora of the body is bifidobacteria. Reduced content of them in the intestines? This is not fatal in the short term, but he alth problems will increase. If you neglect the principles of a he althy and rational diet, then an unfavorable environment is created for bifidobacteria in the intestine. Their number is decreasing. The empty space is occupied by other species, and often they do not get along very well with the organism.
Good bacteria
Microorganisms enter the gastrointestinal tract with water and food. All microflora present in the human intestinal tract is divided into two groups. The first includes microbes that provide metabolic processes. That is, they must be present in a certain amount. Such bacteria are called obligate: bifido- and lactobacilli, Escherichia coli. This also includes microorganismswhich do not play a significant role in the activity of vital systems (bacteroids, enterococci), but their presence does not harm a person.
Why is a reduced amount of bifidobacteria dangerous for the body? Of the total number of microbes in the intestine, obligate microflora should account for 95-97%. If the analysis shows that the number of bifidobacteria is significantly reduced, then this means that other species have taken their place. And if this is not E. coli or other friendly or neutral forms, then problems should be expected. Constipation, diarrhea, allergies, reduced body defenses - this is not a complete list of possible troubles.
Pathogenic microflora
Another group is facultative type microorganisms. They are divided into two groups depending on the "harmfulness". Pathogenic forms can cause harm by their mere presence. The most dangerous pathogens are dysentery and typhoid (Salmonella and Shigella).
Opportunistic pathogenic microbes can cause harm to the body if there are certain factors that contribute to their excessive reproduction or are associated with a weakening of the body's protective functions. Among such flora, Klebsiella and Clostridia are distinguished, which may not be harmful in small quantities, and those that should not be in the body (especially children's) (staphylococci, Candida fungi, Proteus).
Despite the fact that the human body and microbes live in symbiosis, that is, they receive mutual benefit, such a “friendly neighborhood” is possible only if a strict quantitative ratio of obligatory andoptional form of microflora. An imbalance, when bifidobacteria are lowered, usually leads to indigestion. If the problem is not solved, clinical manifestations of intestinal infections are possible.
Bifidobacteria
These microorganisms were first isolated in 1899. To date, more than 30 species of bifidobacteria are known. These Gram-positive, curved, rod-shaped microbes are up to 5 microns in size and colonize the large intestine. Located on the walls of the intestine, they play the role of a shield and prevent contact with pathogenic microflora. The total number of these bacteria normally can reach 108 – 1011 per 1 g of feces.
Being the dominant microflora in a he althy person, they provide the processes of protein and fat metabolism, participate in the regulation of mineral metabolism, the synthesis of B and K vitamins.
In addition to their main duties, these microorganisms are active against pathogenic strains, producing specific organic acids with antimicrobial action. A reduced number of bifidobacteria can cause enzymatic, metabolic and antitoxic dysfunction, as well as impaired colonization resistance and immune response to pathogenic microflora. Bifidobacteria improve food fermentation by enhancing protein hydrolysis, participate in the saponification of fats, the fermentation of carbohydrates, and the absorption of fiber. Their merit is in normal intestinal peristalsis, and this is a timely and stable evacuation of digestive products.
Analysis
Reduced contentbifidobacteria in feces is most often determined by the study of intestinal microflora with suspected dysbacteriosis. This analysis is not widely used in routine medical practice due to the length and complexity of its implementation on the basis of outpatient departments.
To get accurate test results, it is necessary to ensure fast delivery of feces (no more than 3 hours) in a sterile container to the laboratory. The collected biomaterial (10 g) should preferably be cooled, but not frozen. Enemas and preparations with barium should not be used. Antibiotics should be stopped 12 hours before collection. Also, a few days before the analysis, the use of laxatives and rectal suppositories is stopped.
It usually takes about a week to count the number of germs. During this time, the contents of the container, sown on a nutrient medium in a thermostat, germinate, and the specialist counts the bacterial colonies.
Transcript of results
Determine the number and ratio of beneficial and hostile microorganisms. First of all, the graph of pathogenic forms of microbes (Salmonella, Shigella) is filled in the form - they should not be at all. Next come the mandatory results of the number of bifidobacteria, lactobacilli and E. coli, and also their ratio in the total number is calculated.
Depending on age, gender and various factors, the doctor who sent for analysis gives an interpretation of the results. The main indicator is bifidobacteria. The content of these microorganisms is reduced in the presence ofdysbacteriosis (dysbiosis). The diagnosis is made on the basis of a comparison of normative indicators with actual ones. If necessary, adjustments are made taking into account the characteristics of the clinical manifestations of the disease and the presence of various predisposing factors.
Lactobacilli
These microorganisms are representatives of the gram-positive anaerobic intestinal flora. Together with bifidobacteria, they ensure normal digestion and protective functions. In the total mass of the microflora of the body, they account for up to 5%. An increase in the number of lactobacilli in the analyzes is not a serious imbalance. Often this happens with the predominance of sour-milk products in the diet. It is much worse when Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli are lowered in the analysis.
When developing medicines containing live cultures of bacteria (probiotics), scientists try to stick to the ratio. Normally, the balance between bifido- and lactoflora should be within 9:1. Such a ratio, according to experts, will provide optimal conditions for the development of both cultures.
Lactobacilli in most cases do not show pathogenicity, but on the contrary, they participate in the metabolic processes necessary for the body. They produce lactic acid from lactose and other carbohydrates, which is a necessary condition for normal digestion and a barrier to pathogenic microflora. They also synthesize trace elements, participate in the decomposition of indigestible plant foods. Unlike bifidobacteria, which inhabit mainly only the large intestine, lactobacilli are also present in otherparts of the digestive tract.
Immunity
The body's ability to resist infections largely depends on the state of the intestinal microflora. Most of the immune cells are concentrated there. Genetic predisposition and antibodies acquired after vaccinations or past diseases cannot provide an adequate level of protection for the body. It is the intestinal microflora that sets the tone for well-being. From this it follows that a reduced content of bifidobacteria will adversely affect immunity.
This condition is especially dangerous with a significant decrease in the amount of normal flora. There are gaps on the inner surface of the large intestine. Opens access to his cells. With adverse factors (damage, ulcers), microorganisms that inhabit the intestinal tract can spread beyond it. The result may be the entry into the circulatory system of pathogenic bacteria that can cause inflammation in other organs. The extreme degree of this pathology - sepsis - leads to death.
Research by scientists is increasingly confirming the relationship of microflora imbalance with the development of diabetes, anemia, atherosclerosis, cancer and even obesity. The main problem is bifidobacteria. Their content in the intestines is reduced - this is a catalyst. Dysbacteriosis immediately occurs, the body's immune response is delayed or weakens. In the absence of correction, the underlying disease develops. Against its background, secondary infection develops (frequentcolds of a viral nature), concomitant visible problems appear (allergies, dermatitis), growth and development delays, loss of muscle mass and body weight.
Dysbacteriosis
This pathology occurs when not just bifidobacteria are lowered, but there is a tendency for the pathogenic microflora to prevail over the normal one. Such dysbacteriosis is called true. It does not spontaneously arise.
The initial stage characterizing the presence of progressive dysbiosis can be a steady increase in the number of ballast bacteria (E. coli with weak enzymatic activity, enterococci). They begin to develop because the main culture disappears. In addition to infections in the intestines, the reason may be the frequent use of antibiotics without subsequent correction or improper (irrational) nutrition.
Dysbacteriosis in newborns can be transient (temporary), when due to various factors (prematurity of babies, weakening of the body after a difficult birth), a violation of the normal cycle or development occurs. After stabilization of the condition, as a rule, by the end of the second week, the normal flora is restored.
Treatment of dysbacteriosis
When making such a diagnosis, the treatment of the patient should be divided into two stages. Reduced bifidobacteria can be restored if the growth of conditionally pathogenic microflora is suppressed. This can be done in several ways: antibiotics, intra-intestinal antiseptics and immunopreparations containingbacteriophages capable of selectively absorbing and neutralizing pathogenic microbes inside themselves.
Probiotics are usually used to colonize the intestines with bifido- and lactobacilli - preparations containing a live culture of beneficial microorganisms. Treatment should begin as soon as possible. A delay in correcting the balance of microflora can cost the body dearly: constipation, diarrhea, anemia, gastritis, arthritis, duodenitis, malignant neoplasms of the intestine.
To protect yourself as much as possible, it is important to exclude stress, beriberi, alcohol, overeating when the normal fermentation of incoming food is disrupted. We should not forget about the influence of age, seasonal and climatic factors.
Bifidobacteria are low in a child
What to do if the analysis of feces for dysbacteriosis gave disappointing results? The first thing that suggests itself is to reconsider the diet and the quality of the food taken. Most of the problems are related to this. If there are complicating factors - antibiotics, radiation therapy, the consequences of an illness, stress, fatigue - then minimize their influence as much as possible.
Next, you need to introduce bifidobacteria into the body. Downgraded to 106 or less? This gives reason to believe that conditionally pathogenic microflora has managed to develop against the background of dysbiosis. The results of the analysis usually show which unwanted microorganisms should be neutralized and expelled from the intestines in the first place.
Along the way, the mode should be correctedchild's nutrition: a rigid meal schedule, the exclusion of unwanted foods (sweets, canned food, semi-finished products, smoked meats). More natural products: vegetables, fruits, nuts, dairy products.
If the baby has low bifidobacteria
In newborns, the main process of formation of the intestinal microflora begins with the first portions of the mother's colostrum. The baby is born sterile. In the delivery room, it comes into contact with foreign bacteria. A lot depends on how quickly the baby can access the mother's breast. Ideally, this is minutes (up to an hour). A longer delay caused by various reasons (difficult birth, caesarean section, weakened or premature baby) will inevitably affect the baby's he alth.
Mother's milk is an ideal source of bifidus and lactobacilli. By eliminating the negative influencing factors, breastfeeding will quickly restore the necessary balance. Another thing is when bifidobacteria are lowered in a baby, and for one reason or another he cannot take mother's milk.
Due to unformed immunity, the resulting dysbiosis, caused at first glance by ordinary factors (teething, vaccination, hypothermia), can become uncompensated. You can’t leave such a failure to chance, you need a comprehensive treatment based on the results of the analysis.
If a baby cannot get mother's milk, preference should be given to mixtures adapted not only to a specific age category, but also containing live cultures of beneficial bacteria. These compounds are enrichedprotective factors, they include prebiotics, which create conditions for a good survival of microflora in the intestines of babies.
Probiotics
In situations where the result of the analysis shows reduced bifidobacteria, and there is a need to quickly increase their concentration in the intestine, preparations with live cultures of beneficial microbes are used. Distinguish between liquid concentrates of bacteria that are in active form, and dried lyophilized or freeze-dried masses. The first begin to act immediately after entering the body. Another group - microorganisms in anabiosis, entering the gastrointestinal tract, show activity after a certain time (the moment the colon is passed).
Preparations of useful microflora can contain one culture (monoprobiotics) or several different strains of bacteria (associated). Synbiotics are a separate group - complex preparations containing the main culture and a set of biologically active substances that promote the fixation of bacteria in the body (probiotic + prebiotic).
Reduced bifidobacteria is not a sentence. Which drug to purchase, parents decide after the advisory opinion of a specialist. There are plenty to choose from: "Linex", "Lactiale", "Bifidumbacterin", "Acilact", "Laktomun" and other worthy representatives of biologically active food supplements.
