John Myers
US researchers found that colorectal cancer patients have a less diverse and generally unhealthy gut flora than healthy test subjects. From this, the scientists conclude that probiotics, a diet rich in prebiotics, and thus a healthy intestinal flora could prevent the development of colon cancer. The intestinal flora has a decisive influence on health. Those who care for them with probiotics protect themselves against numerous diseases and increase their general well-being.
Intestinal flora important for health
Bacteria in the gut doesn’t sound good at first. In fact, however, the bacteria in the intestinal flora are vital for humans. You decide between “good” bacteria, the so-called probiotics, and “bad” bacteria, which can cause diseases.
The intestinal flora is subject to constant change. Our diet, we have a major influence on the composition of the bacteria in the intestine. If the intestinal flora is healthy, we feel good and at the same time are protected from numerous diseases because it strengthens our immune system. A healthy intestinal flora can even prevent a heart attack.
A healthy intestinal flora means that a large number of different health-promoting bacteria romp around there.
However, we damage the intestinal flora through an unhealthy diet, for example with sweeteners, and the intake of antibiotics. Then the wrong bacteria settle there. This can have fatal consequences for health, as US researchers have found.
Colon cancer is caused by unhealthy intestinal flora
private In a study, Doz. Jiyoung Ahn and her team from the New York University School of Medicine examined the intestinal flora of 47 colorectal cancer patients and also – as a control – the intestinal flora of 94 healthy adults.
With the help of various test methods, they were able to visualize how many of which bacteria were in the intestinal flora of the test subjects.
It turned out that the colorectal cancer patients consistently had a lower bacterial diversity in their intestinal flora than the healthy people from the control group.
In addition, the bacteria from the intestinal flora of the cancer patients were completely different. For example, the cancer patients lacked Clostridia, which is needed for protein digestion. In return, they had more pathogenic Porphyromonas and Fusobacteria in their intestines.
From this, the scientists concluded that the composition of the intestinal flora can have a decisive influence on whether someone develops colon cancer.
This in turn means that we can prevent colon cancer with a healthy diet.
Prebiotics for the intestinal flora
As already mentioned, the intestinal flora changes depending on what we eat. We can take advantage of this fact, as it means that we can actively prevent life-threatening colon cancer – and many other diseases – with the right diet.
Prebiotics are fibers that the body cannot digest for the most part. The healthy intestinal bacteria feed on them.
A very good prebiotic is inulin. Artichokes, chicory, and parsnips are among the inulin-rich foods.
Antibiotics damage the intestinal flora
Doctors often prescribe antibiotics for bacterial infections. In some cases this is inevitable. However, antibiotics also kill healthy intestinal bacteria and antibiotics are not really necessary for every infection.
The antibiotic treatment massively damages the intestinal flora, which also reduces the natural protection against fungal infections. As a result, it can now lead to a fungal infection in the intestines or, in women, to vaginal fungal infections.
Intestinal yeast infections can cause numerous, very different symptoms. These include migraines, neurodermatitis, and chronic exhaustion.
Healthy food for the intestines
A high-sugar diet also damages the intestinal flora, especially in connection with too many unhealthy fats. This combination ensures that more and more healthy bacteria disappear from the intestinal flora.
An alkaline diet, on the other hand, maintains intestinal flora and contributes to a healthy environment in the digestive tract.
