The Lactobacillus (in the plural: lactobacilli or lactobacilli) Lactobacilli were chosen as the Microbe of the Year in 2018. However, most people don't know much about these important bacteria in our bodies. Time to learn more about lactobacilli!
The history of lactobacilli
Around 7000 years ago, settled livestock farmers in Northern Europe began to consume more milk and milk products, such as yogurt and cheese. The production of the enzyme lactase, which is normally only present in infants and breaks down lactose, subsequently became widespread among adult Central Europeans.Lactase persistence). This is why many adults in Asia and Africa still have difficulty tolerating dairy products. Worldwide, around 75% of people are lactose intolerant.
What is Lactobacillus?
Whether it's yogurt or cheese, everyone is familiar with the process by which milk sours and is then further processed. Lactobacilli are responsible for this souring of the milk. They belong to a genus of rod-shaped bacteria from the family of lactic acid bacteria. The name is derived from Latin, whereby lactis for milk and bacillus Lactobacilli are characterized by their rod-like shape. Due to their numerous beneficial functions, they are considered "good" bacteria in the human body. Lactobacilli convert sugar into lactic acid and gain energy through this process, which is known as fermentation. During this process, they acidify their environment.
Where do they occur?
Lactobacilli are found in the human body in breast milk, on the skin, in the vagina, and in the digestive tract. They are therefore a component of the microbiome of the gastrointestinal tract and skin. The probiotic properties of Lactobacillus have a positive effect on intestinal health and stabilize the gut flora. In the vagina, they even constitute the majority of bacteria, at 90 to 100 percent. They colonize the skin and intestines and are essential for health. Lactobacilli are also found in the stomach and mouth. Contact with lactic acid bacteria occurs at the very beginning of life. During natural childbirth, the mother's vaginal lactobacilli are passed to the newborn. Through this contact with lactobacilli, the baby receives its first protection against disease. They are important to us from the very first second of life. However, as life progresses, these helpful bacteria are replaced in the body by... Taking antibiotics or partially destroyed by other harmful influences, which can make infections, diarrhea or other diseases more likely.
What is the significance of Lactobacillus in the gut?
Millions of lactobacilli colonize the entire human digestive tract, especially the small intestine, and support digestion. They are essential, for example, in the breakdown of dietary fiber. Dietary fiber is found primarily in vegetables, grains, and legumes and is not digestible by intestinal cells alone. Therefore, the human body relies on the help of lactobacilli. Without this assistance, dietary fiber would lead to intestinal problems. Lactobacilli break down dietary fiber with special enzymes and convert it into lactic acid. Lactic acid is well-tolerated by the intestines and also acts as a protective factor. Furthermore, lactobacilli are responsible for the function of the intestinal mucosa, which transports nutrients from the intestines into our bloodstream and also supports our immune system.
Lactobacilli for lactose intolerance?
In cases of lactose intolerance, the intestine is unable to convert sugar into lactic acid because it produces a reduced amount of the necessary enzyme, lactase, or none at all. This often leads to symptoms such as bloating, diarrhea, or abdominal cramps. To alleviate these symptoms, certain lactobacilli can be introduced into the body, which convert the sugar and thus lead to an improvement in the symptoms.
What is the best way to consume lactobacilli?
Lactobacilli are found in many types of yogurt, but can also be obtained through other foods, such as:
- sauerkraut
- Pickles
- Cheese
- kefir
- Tempeh
- Kimchi
They can also be ingested through dietary supplements. Lactobacilli are very sensitive to heat. Higher temperatures and cooking processes can destroy them. mybacs dailybacs contain five different strains of lactobacilli that can survive the journey to our digestive system.
Their full names are:
Lactobacillus plantarum LP01, Lactobacillus rhamnosus LR06, Lactobacillus crispatus LCR01, Lactobacillus salivarius subsp. Salivarius CRL 1328, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG.
The abbreviations after the bacterial species indicate the exact strains chosen for Dailybacs, as the effects can differ between strains.
