We all should know by now that some bacteria are good for us. Without bacteria we would die and there are certain types of bacteria that would easily kill us from exposure. So, when do we keep the good bacteria and how do we get rid of the bad?
Here is what I have found in my research.
The good bacteria, ( resident flora ) the ones we need to survive are found in our intestines to help digest food. They live on our skin and mouth and actually help fight those bad bacteria. ( I know, gross -right? ) Certain bugs or pathogenic bacteria -bad bacteria - take their chances when you have a lowered immune system and fight the good bacteria to try and make you sick. For example by contaminated food…. ( of course this is all in terms so we can all understand it easily ) Those are usually the kind we need to get rid of with Anti-biotics.
The benefits of good bacteria are:
Bacteria Convert Nitrogen
- All life on our planet depends on nitrogen. Bacteria are the only organisms that can convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable material for other life forms. Some plants share a symbiotic relationship with bacteria that infect their roots.
Bacteria Break Down Waste
- Bacteria are natural decomposers of dead plants and animals. This is important in order to free up nutrients that would otherwise be wasted when plants and animals die. This is best illustrated with natural waste-management systems we refer to as compost heaps.
Bacteria Are Essential for Food
- Bacteria are prevalent in the manufacturing of animal byproducts. We are able to drink milk, for instance, with the help of bacteria that converts lactose (milk sugar) to lactic acid (also known as "pasteurization"). The resulting acidic state prevents harmful bacteria from growing in the milk before we've had a chance to consume it. Other food products of fermentation include vinegar, cheese, yogurt, wine and beer. ( we have all heard of pro-biotics. )
Bacteria Are Essential for Ecology
- Bacteria such as blue green algae can harness solar energy in order to create organic compounds. As primary producers, they are essential to the aquatic food chains of both freshwater and saltwater ecosystems. Because of this, many species of life can flourish.
Bacteria and the Human Body Work Together
- One of the biggest (and perhaps the most fascinating) benefits of bacteria is to help in human digestion. There are tens of trillions of bacteria living in the human gut at any one time, belonging to literally hundreds of different species of bacterium. The digestive system does not differentiate good bacteria ("gut flora") from normal cells in the digestive tract, most likely because they guard against infection from harmful bacteria. Also, these bacteria help us to utilize otherwise hard-to-digest nutrients, including fiber, starches and sugars like lactose (found in cow's milk). [1]
Here are some ways to keep the bad bacteria at bay:
Wash your hands properly:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) say that proper washing of hands is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of infectious diseases such as colds, diarrhea, and hepatitis. ( However there is no need to use anti-bactierial soap every time you wash your hands. Simple soap and warm water will do - and let’s not get carried away with germ-x either! )
Disinfect your kitchen:
The kitchen is considered a danger zone for bacteria because this is where we handle raw food, left overs and such. The CDC estimates that 76 million cases of food-borne illnesses are due to cross-contamination in the kitchen. So keep you cutting board clean and make sure you do not use the same knife on raw chicken that you use to cut up your fresh vegetables.
I don’t know about you – but I am going out now for some yogurt : )
Warm regards and love –
Erin
