Respect for the little helpers
Did you know that you carry 1.5-2 kg of bacteria with you, and that most of these bacteria are vital to your survival? Many people don't know this, or don't want to believe it. But microorganisms have always been the linchpin of life on this planet, the mediators between the inorganic and the organic. Without microorganisms, no livable biosphere would exist on our planet. Microorganisms have made life on Earth in its current form possible in the first place. They have enriched the originally hostile atmosphere of our home planet with vital oxygen. For us humans, they perform many important functions that we are incapable of performing ourselves.
What may seem somewhat strange to many has been the basis of our survival for millions of years. Living together with a number of microorganisms almost unfathomable to us is what makes humans viable. Microorganisms not only help us break down our food and protect our skin, for example, but even the central respiration of every single cell in our body is carried out by foreign organisms (mitochondria). This realization puts an end to the long-held belief that microbes are evil and worthy of destruction.
Even today, microorganisms maintain nature's nutrient cycles and are an essential component of the ecosystem. Humans have also been harnessing microorganisms for thousands of years – even if they weren't always aware that these tiny creatures were behind them. Foods and luxury items such as cheese, yogurt, yeast pastries, beer, and sauerkraut would be unthinkable without microorganisms.
Conclusion: We depend on the symbiosis with our little helpers. A beautiful example of how survival is only possible together, not by fighting against each other.
Good bacteria – bad bacteria: It’s all about balance!
Understanding the vital importance of bacteria reveals that the idea of "clean" sterility is a dead end. However, this obviously doesn't mean that all bacteria are good for us. There are constructive ("good") and degradative ("bad") bacteria. One thing is certain: they all fulfill a biological function.
Bacteria are present virtually everywhere. However, the vast majority of bacteria are mere followers, following the dominant group. The decisive factor is balance ( dominance principle ).
Life-promoting microorganisms
The first findings on intestinal bacteria were presented around 1900 by the Russian immunologist and Nobel Prize winner for medicine, Ilya Metchnikoff. He attributed the high life expectancy of certain tribes in the Caucasus and Bulgaria to the fact that these people traditionally consumed a large amount of fermented (bacterial lactic acid fermentation) food.
He coined the phrase "Death resides in the intestines." The most natural and one of the oldest methods of preserving food is the addition of microorganisms. We know this from sauerkraut production. Lactic acid bacteria play a major role in this process. They are found not only in milk, but also inhabit the leaves and surfaces of vegetables. Lactic acid bacteria play an important role in our immune system.
- They inhibit pathogenic germs
- Improve lactose tolerance
- Stimulate the immune system
- Improve nutrient absorption and digestion
- Lower cholesterol levels
- Normalize and stabilize the intestinal flora
- Produce the body's own vitamins
- Inhibit the development of cancer in the intestine
- They neutralize toxins in the intestine
- Prevent pathogens from multiplying
