Posts Tagged ‘Gastrointestinal’
Role of Microbes in The Gastrointestinal Tract
The microbes present in the gastrointestinal tract have the potential to act as a positive, negative or neutral. Due to unfavorable conditions, microbes are not very frequent in the stomach or upper small intestine. However, towards the lower small intestine, they begin to achieve higher populations.
In view of the high number of microbes in the intestinal area, what are its effects?
It is known that microbes in the large intestine complete the digestion process in any component of the food is not digested in the small intestine, as in people with lactose intolerance to lactose or fiber resistant to enzymes that are found in the small intestine. There is evidence of non-digestive microbial activities as well. Certain intestinal microbes are known produce vitamins. Also, in studies with laboratory animals free of specific microbes, the evidence is strong that without normal microbial populations, the immune system malfunctions, and resistance to pathogenic bacteria is reduced greatly. Other evidence suggests that intestinal microbes might act (capable of inducing genetic mutation) composite pre-carcinogens or mutagens. Depending on the specific microbe, mutagenic or carcinogenic activity may be increased or decreased.
Clearly there are advantages to skew the balance toward the beneficial bacteria. Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria are normal inhabitants of the gut healthy. While not the dominant genre in the small intestine or large adults (bifidobacteria is usually the dominant flora of children raised to the chest) are not pathogenic and their presence correlates with a healthy intestinal flora. The metabolic end products of their growth are organic acids (lactic and acetic acids) which tend to lower the pH of intestinal contents, creating conditions less desirable for harmful bacteria.
The gastrointestinal tract also serves as a bridge between “the body” and “outside the body.” Through this interface, microbes and foreign antigens pass through the gastrointestinal area and interact with the major components of the immune system. This interaction serves to stimulate or develop the immune system for optimal functioning. The normal microbial inhabitants of the gastrointestinal tract also reinforce the barrier function of the intestinal lining, decreasing the passage of bacteria or antigens from the intestine into the blood. This function has been suggested that decreases infections and possibly allergic reactions to food antigens.
