The Good Bacterium

Do you know that your body is virtually a minefield of bacteria? Yes! You have bacteria living all over your body no matter how many times you shower. The bacteria live both in and on your body—eyes, skin, mouth, hands, throat and the intestines. The bacteria in the intestines, however, are the good guys—they fight and keep harmful bacteria under control so as to keep the body functioning properly. These bacteria are called probiotics. Probiotics are simple single celled organisms or living bacteria that are beneficial to the digestive process when consumed. Probiotics are essential in warding off disorders like inflammatory bowel disease, gastrointestinal infections and irritable bowels. These bacteria break down food and help in the digestion and maximum assimilation. Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus (also called Lactic Acid Bacteria or LAB) are two of the most commonly known probiotics—they also have numerous medicinal uses as they are anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory agents. Research has shown that especially bifidobacterium has extensive tumor and cancer curbing capabilities. Tests on lab animals show that these probiotics when administered to the animals have yielded positive results and help them ward off colon, liver, bladder and breast tumors.

The human intestine has a large array of bacteria which procreate and exist in that harsh environment. These bacteria are helpful in the sense that they regulate the amount of energy extracted from food and also play a role in the digestive process. The most common probiotics strains are Lactobacillus strains. Extensive tests have been carried out to effectively gauge the effect of the probiotics lactobacillus on humans. It has been found that it possesses many medicinal properties, which ensures that it has a bright future in the medical field. The strains of lactobacillus can be ‘customized’ specifically and tailor made to target particular gastrointestinal disorders and execute a speedy cure.

Another probiotics bacterium which is being tested to target and destroy cancer causing T cells is the probiotics Clostridium. It is still considered alternate treatment until full testing and trials are completed. Clostridium has already been used to treat solid tumors. Non pathogenic strains of this bacterium have been inserted in the tumor—there they replicate specifically destroying the malignant cells. In the future these strains may be used to deliver a cure for malignant tumors and save lives. Bacteria are slowly becoming the number one alternative to chemotherapy to treat certain types of cancer—clinical trials have been quite successful.