Bacteria contained in stool
samples are cultured to identify the presence
and relative abundance of specific beneficial,
imbalanced and dysbiotic bacteria. When
dysbiotic bacteria are present, further
testing is performed to determine which
natural and pharmaceutical agents might
eradicate the patient’s specific
bacteria. This
test by Doctor’s Data, Inc. is typically
performed as a follow up to a CSA3P to
determine the efficacy of therapeutic treatment.
A good balance
of beneficial microflora has been known
to be associated with health benefits since
the turn of the century. At
that time Metchnikoff drew attention to
the adverse effects of dysbiotic gut microflora
on the host and suggested that ingestion
of fermented milks ameliorated what he
called “autointoxication”. He
proposed that the consumption of large
quantities of Lactobacillus species would
reduce the number of toxin-producing bacteria
and result in better health and increased
lifespan. 1
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Over the past 90 plus years
there has been extensive scientific research
demonstrating that a good balance of Lactobacilli,
Bifidobacteria and beneficial E. coli bacteria
are important to the functional health
of the gut, and as a consequence, to the
whole organism. The benefits identified
include inhibition of microbial pathogens,
2 prevention and treatment of antibiotic
associated diarrhea, 3 prevention of travelers’ diarrhea,
4 reduction of lactose intolerance symptoms,
5 reduction in serum cholesterol levels,
6,7 enhancement of the immune system,
8 and inhibition of the proliferation
of Candida albicans. 9,10 Research
has shown that improved biological value
of food can be achieved through the activity
of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria which
have been reported to produce folic acid,
niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, pyridoxine,
biotin and vitamin K. 11
The mechanisms by which
these benefits are derived are not yet
fully understood. However, research
suggests that some of the beneficial effects
may be due to the following activities
of beneficial bacteria:
Release of substances antagonistic
to enteropathogenic microorganisms such
as lactocidin, lactobicillin, and acidolin
Competition with pathogens
for adhesion receptors
Production of lactase
Production of short chain
fatty acids (SCFAs) such as butyrate, propionate,
and acetate
In a healthy balanced state
of intestinal flora the beneficial bacteria
make up a significant proportion of the
total microflora. However, in many
individuals we see an imbalance of beneficial
bacteria and an overgrowth of non-beneficial
or even pathogenic microorganisms (dysbiosis). This
can be due to a variety of factors including:
daily exposure to chemicals in our drinking
water that are toxic to friendly
bacteria; the use of antibiotics; chronic
consumption of highly processed foods (low
in fiber, high in sugar) and high stress
levels. Patients may present with
chronic symptoms such as irritable bowel
syndrome, autoimmune diseases (e.g. rheumatoid
arthritis), fatigue, chronic headaches,
and allergies to a variety of foods.
1 Metchnikoff, E. The Prolongation
of Life. 1907, Heinemann
2 Fuller R. Probiotics
in human medicine. GUT, 1991;32:439-442
3 Sittonen S, Vapaatalo
H, Salminen S, et al. Effect of Lactobacilli
GG yogurt in prevention of antibiotic associated
diarrhea. Ann Med. 1990;22:57-59
4 Oksanen P, Salminen S,
Saxelin M, et al. Prevention of travellers’ diarrhea
by Lactobacillus GG. Ann med 1990;22:53-56
5 Kim H and Gilliland S.
Lactobacillus acidophilus as a dietary
adjunct for milk to aid lactose digestion
in humans. J Dairy Sci. 1983;66:959-966
6 Tahri K, Crociani J,
Ballongue J and Schneider F. Effects of
three strains of bifidobacterial on cholesterol.
Letters Applied Microbiology. 1995;21:149-151
7 Klaver F and Van Der
Meer R. The assumed assimilation of cholesterol
by Lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium bifidum
is due to their bile salt- deconjugating
activity. Applied and Envir. Micro. 1993;1120-1124
8 Peridgon G, Alvarez M,
et al. The oral administration of lactic
acid bacteria increases the mucosal intestinal
immunity in response to enteropathogens
J. Food Prot. 1990;53:404-410
9 Elmer G, Surawicz C,
and McFarland L. Biotherapeutic agents – a
neglected modality for the treatment and
prevention of intestinal and vaginal
infections. JAMA 1996; 275(11):870-876.
10 Fitzsimmons N and Berry
D. Inhibition of Candida albicans by Lactobacillus
acidophilus: evidence for involvement of
a peroxidase system. Microbios.
1994; 80:125-133
11Noda H, Akasaka N and
Ohsugi M. Biotin production by Bifidobacteria.J
Nutr. Sci. Vitaminol. 1994; 40:181-188. |
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