The normal balance of microbes in the gastrointestinal tract is the key to well-being and health. The bulk of the microflora of the body is bifidobacteria. Reduced their content in the intestines? This is not fatal in the short term, but health problems will increase. If we neglect the principles of a healthy and balanced diet, an unfavorable environment is created for bifidobacteria in the intestine. Their number is decreasing. Other species occupy an empty space, and often they do not "get along" with the body in a very friendly manner.
Beneficial 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: bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, E. coli. This also includes microorganisms that do not play a significant role in the activity of vital systems (bacteroids, enterococci), but their presence does not harm a person.
What is the danger for the body of a reduced number of bifidobacteria? 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 it is not Escherichia coli or other friendly or neutral forms, then problems should be expected. Constipation, diarrhea, allergies, decreased body defenses - this is not a complete list of possible troubles.
Pathogenic microflora
Another group is microorganisms of the optional type. They are divided into two groups depending on the "harmfulness". Pathogenic forms can only be harmful by their presence. The greatest danger is caused by pathogens of dysentery and typhoid (salmonella and shigella).
Conditionally pathogenic microbes can cause harm to the body in the presence of certain factors that contribute to their excessive reproduction or associated with a weakening of the protective functions of the body. Among such flora, Klebsiella and Clostridia are distinguished, which can not be harmful in small quantities, and those that should not be in the body (especially children) (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 the obligate and optional forms of microflora is observed. Imbalance when bifidobacteria are lowered usually leads to digestion. If the problem is not resolved, clinical manifestations of intestinal infections are possible.
Bifidobacteria
These microorganisms were first isolated in 1899. Today, 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 the contact of pathogenic microflora with it. The total number of these bacteria can normally reach 10 8 - 10 11 per 1 g of feces.
Being the dominant microflora in a healthy person, they provide the processes of protein and fat metabolism, are involved in the regulation of mineral metabolism, the synthesis of vitamins B and K.
In addition to their main responsibilities, these microorganisms are active against pathogenic strains, producing specific organic acids with antimicrobial effects. A reduced amount of bifidobacteria can cause enzymatic, metabolic and antitoxic dysfunction, as well as a violation of colonization resistance and the immune response to pathogenic microflora. Bifidobacteria improve food fermentation, enhancing protein hydrolysis, are involved in the saponification of fats, fermentation of carbohydrates, and resorption of fiber. Their merit is in the normal intestinal motility, and this is a timely and stable evacuation of digestive products.
Analysis
Reduced content of bifidobacteria in the feces is most often determined by the study of intestinal microflora in cases of suspected dysbiosis. This analysis is not widespread in ordinary medical practice due to the duration and complexity of its implementation on the basis of outpatient departments.
To obtain accurate results of the analysis, 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) is desirable to cool, but can not be frozen. Enemas and drugs with barium can not be used. Antibiotics should be discontinued 12 hours before collection. Also, a few days before the analysis, laxatives and rectal suppositories are stopped.
It usually takes about a week to count the number of germs. During this time, the contents of the container, seeded on a nutrient medium under the conditions of a thermostat, germinate, and a specialist counts bacteria colonies.
Deciphering the results
The quantity and ratio of beneficial and hostile microorganisms is determined. First of all, the form is filled in the graph of pathogenic forms of microbes (salmonella, shigella) - they should not be at all. Next are the mandatory results of the number of bifidobacteria, lactobacilli and Escherichia coli, and their ratio in the total number is also 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 of dysbiosis (dysbiosis). The diagnosis is made on the basis of a comparison of normative indicators with actual ones. If necessary, amendments 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 gram-positive anaerobic intestinal flora. Together with bifidobacteria, they provide 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 when fermented milk products prevail in the diet. It is much worse when, when analyzing, bifidobacteria and lactobacilli are lowered.
When developing drugs containing live cultures of bacteria (probiotics), scientists are trying to adhere to the ratio. Normally, the balance between bifidobacteria 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 rather 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, are involved in the decomposition of indigestible plant foods. Unlike bifidobacteria, which populate mainly only the large intestine, lactobacilli are also present in other parts 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 diseases cannot provide an adequate level of body protection. It is the intestinal microflora that sets the tone for well-being. 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 normoflora. There are gaps on the inner surface of the large intestine. Access to its cells opens. With adverse factors (damage, ulcers), the microorganisms that inhabit the intestinal tract can spread beyond it. The result may be pathogenic bacteria entering the circulatory system that can cause inflammatory processes in other organs. The extreme degree of such a pathology - sepsis - leads to death.
Scientists' studies are increasingly confirming the connection of microflora imbalance with the development of diabetes mellitus, anemia, atherosclerosis, cancer and even obesity. The main problem is bifidobacteria. Their content in the intestines is reduced - this is a catalyst. Immediately there is dysbiosis, the body's immune response is delayed or weakened. In the absence of correction, the underlying disease develops. Against this background, secondary infection develops (frequent colds of a viral nature), there are concomitant visible problems (allergies, dermatitis), growth and development delays, decreased muscle mass and body weight.
Dysbacteriosis
This pathology occurs when not just bifidobacteria are lowered, but there is a tendency for pathogenic microflora to begin to prevail over normal. Such dysbiosis is called true. It does not occur spontaneously.
The initial stage characterizing the presence of progressive dysbiosis can be a persistent increase in the number of ballast bacteria (E. coli with weak enzymatic activity, enterococci). They begin to develop due to the fact that the main culture is disappearing. In addition to infections in the intestine, the cause may be in frequent antibiotic doses without subsequent correction or improper (irrational) nutrition.
Dysbacteriosis in newborns can be transient (temporary), when due to various factors (prematurity of infants, weakening of the body after a difficult birth), a violation of the normal cycle or development occurs. After stabilization, as a rule, by the end of the second week, normoflora is restored.
Treatment of dysbiosis
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, intestinal antiseptics, and immunopreparations containing bacteriophages that are capable of selectively absorbing and neutralizing pathogenic microbes within themselves.
Probiotics are usually used to colonize bifidobacteria and lactobacilli - preparations containing a live culture of beneficial microorganisms. Treatment should be started as soon as possible. Delay in correcting the microflora balance can be expensive for the body: constipation, diarrhea, anemia, gastritis, arthritis, duodenitis, malignant neoplasms of the intestine.
To protect yourself as much as possible, it is important to exclude stress, vitamin deficiencies, alcohol, overeating, when the normal fermentation of incoming food is disrupted. Do not forget about the influence of age, seasonal and climatic factors.
Bifidobacteria lowered in a child
What should I do if an analysis of feces for dysbiosis gives disappointing results? The first thing that begs us is to review the diet and the quality of food intake. Most of the problems are connected with this. If there are complicating factors - antibiotics, radiation therapy, the consequences of the disease, stress, fatigue - then minimize their impact if possible.
Next, you need to introduce bifidobacteria into the body. Reduced content to 10 6 or less? This gives reason to believe that, against the background of dysbiosis, conditionally pathogenic microflora has managed to develop . The results of the analysis, as a rule, show which unwanted microorganisms should first be neutralized and displaced from the intestine.
Along the way, you should adjust the child’s diet: a tight meal schedule, the exclusion of unwanted foods (sweets, canned foods, processed foods, smoked meats). More natural products: vegetables, fruits, nuts, dairy products.
If the baby has low bifidobacteria
In newborns, the main process of intestinal microflora formation begins with the first portions of maternal colostrum. The baby in the light appears sterile. In the delivery room, he is in contact with foreign bacteria. Much 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, cesarean section, weakened or premature baby) will inevitably affect the baby's health.
Mother's milk is an ideal source of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. By eliminating negative factors, breast feeding will quickly restore the necessary balance. Another thing is when bifidobacteria are lowered in the baby, and for one reason or another he can not take breast milk.
Due to unformed immunity, the resulting dysbiosis, caused at first glance by everyday factors (teething, vaccination, hypothermia), can become uncompensated. Such a failure cannot be left to chance, a comprehensive treatment based on the results of the analysis is necessary.
If a child cannot receive 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. Such formulations are enriched with protective factors, they include prebiotics, which create conditions for good survival of microflora in the intestines of infants.
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, drugs with live cultures of beneficial microbes are used. There are liquid bacterial concentrates in active form and dried lyophilized or sublimated masses. The first begin to act immediately after ingestion. Another group - microorganisms located in suspended animation, getting into the digestive tract, activity is shown after a certain time (the moment of passage of the large intestine).
Useful microflora preparations may contain one culture (monoprobiotics) or several different bacterial strains (associated). In a separate group, synbiotics are distinguished - complex preparations containing the main culture and a set of biologically active substances that contribute to the fixation of bacteria in the body (probiotic + prebiotic).
Low bifidobacteria are not a sentence. Which drug to purchase should be decided by parents after a specialist’s advisory opinion. There are plenty to choose from: Linex, Lactiale, Bifidumbacterin, Atzilact, Lactomun and other worthy representatives of dietary supplements.