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Most of us do not have enough bifidobacteria in our intestines. First, most Americans do not consume 30 grams per day of soluble fiber, which is necessary to maintain the proper level of bifidobacteria. Additionally, in those who eat meat, consume coffee, colas, alcohol, are on antibiotics, or take birth control pills, the bifidobacteria are suppressed.
There were two major alterations to our diet in the 20th Century: refrigeration and food processing. Before refrigeration, many more fermented foods were consumed because that is how foods could be preserved. Food processing has removed most of the fibers -which are used by probiotic bacteria to grow -along with many trace minerals and vitamins. Also, Caesarean births and bottle feeding reduce the opportunity for infants to acquire their initial flora as predominantly friendly bacteria, particularly the bifido.
Inhibiting Pathogens
Bifidobacteria compete with undesirable bacteria for living space and nutrients. Supplemented bifidobacteria compete against undesirable bacteria for these items. Moreover, the metabolites of bifidobacteria -acetic acid, lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide and bacteriocins suppress putrefactive bacteria. Bifidobacteria produce more acetic acid than lactic acid in a ratio of 11:9.
Inhibited bacteria include Salmonella, Shigelia, Clostridium, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aursus, and Campylobacter jejuni (Anand SK et. al. 1985, "Antibacterial activity associated with [Bifidobacteria bifidum.]" Cultured Dairy Products, 6-8.)
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