Understanding Your Gut Health: What Is Bad Bacteria?
You know them. We at Probulin love them. And we want you to love them as much as we do.
They’re your friendly bacteria. And they’re found throughout your body, making up a balanced and harmonious microbiome that supports various important functions.
Like all bacteria good and bad, probiotic strains of beneficial bacteria are microscopic organisms that remain invisible to the naked eye. They exist everywhere, both inside and outside our bodies. And while many of these microorganisms can survive in different environments, including hot water and ice, the friendly flora that thrive in your gut tend to be pretty choosy about their surroundings.
Although most bacteria are single-celled, they are complex and powerful. They can live through extreme conditions.
Some bacteria species have a tail, which allows them to move around. Some have sticky hair-like appendages that enable them to stick to hard surfaces and other cells in the human body.
The area with the highest number of bacteria in a human body is the gut. Perhaps, these bacteria maintain a specified microbial ecosystem in the digestive tract. This ecosystem is known as the gut microbiota or microbiome. Outside of the human body, bacteria exist on different surfaces and substances, including soil, water, and foods.
Different Types of Gut Bacteria
Three fundamental types of bacteria are aerobic, anaerobic, and facultative anaerobes. These types differ based on their response to oxygen. Aerobic bacteria will need oxygen to survive. Anaerobic bacteria will die when exposed to oxygen. Facultative anaerobes work best with oxygen but can live without it.
What is Bad Bacteria in the Gut?
So what is bad gut bacteria, exactly? Bacteria are generally perceived as harmful, and we get it. Some can certainly be more foe than friend. This is why we disinfect our hands and clean surfaces in bathrooms, kitchens, and every other place that germs can amass. The last thing any of us wants is for external factors to compromise our harmonious microbiome.
Our bodies naturally are a mix of good and bad bacteria. In addition to supporting many body functions, beneficial bacteria stand to keep so-called bad bacteria in check.
Generally, the microbiome consists of an estimated 85% of good bacteria and 15% of harmful bacteria. An increase in the number of bad bacteria may present challenges.
Gut Microbiota: What you Need to Know
About 95% of all bacteria in the human body live in the gut and plays a role in how your entire body functions optimally. Some beneficial bacteria strains are even better for women or better for men. That means any bacterial imbalance occurring in the digestive tract may impact your overall feeling wellness throughout the whole body. (We’ve all been there, feeling sluggish and crummy, right?) .
Our gut has to remain on guard with healthy bacteria. Bad bacteria may, if too abundant, throw off the microbial balance in the digestive tract. When the gut microbiome is out of balance you may find yourself dealing with occasional gas and bloating and even occasional discomfort.
Signs of imbalance in your gut could be:
- Tummy troubles, complete with frustrating bloat and embarrassing gas
- Occasional discomfort
- Occasional challenges with digestion
How to Get Rid of Bad Gut Bacteria
This is a question we receive a lot. But, the truth is, you wouldn’t really want to. So-called “bad bacteria” keeps your “good bacteria” on high alert. It’s not so much a war they’re fighting so much as the desire to live in balance and harmony.
So it is impossible to eliminate bad bacteria completely, you can keep your gut microbiota balanced. For that purpose, you can supply your gut with beneficial bacteria and sustenance for your gut flora.
Consider Increasing Your Fiber Supply
Soluble fibers contain prebiotics that can help beneficial bacteria in your gut to thrive well. Foods containing these fibers are lentils, oats, onions, garlic, and several fruits.
Taming Your Sweet Tooth
Eating a lot of sugar is basically like feeding bad gut bacteria their favorite meal and promising more the next day. Limiting or avoiding processed refined food and large amounts of sugar may be a good strategy for supporting the gut microbiome because this will help limit the food supply for the bad bacteria.
Taking Probiotic Supplements
You’re busy! And boy do we know what that’s like. It can be hard to fill the gaps in your diet to get an optimum supply of probiotics from natural, fermented foods. This is why we created our line of trusted probiotic formulas, such as Total Care Probiotic, Colon Support Probiotic, and Women’s Health Probiotic–Each is made to support your overall feelings of balance and wellness–so that filling the gaps in your busy life can be easy. As always, it is recommended to check in with your trusted medical professional before trying any new supplements.