Bacteria: Bacterial Flora

While the human being consists of about 10 trillion cells, on and in him live about 100 trillion bacteria of the most different kinds – it is estimated that they weigh altogether about two kilos. Only a fraction of the bacteria are found on the skin, in the mouth and throat, and in the vagina; the majority – between 400 and 1000 different species – are found in the small and large intestines. The substances produced by the bacteria are used by the intestinal cells. This bacterial flora is also known as the normal flora and consists largely of non-pathogenic, symbiotic bacteria that are typical for their respective locations.

The most important bacteria in our body

Important types of bacterial flora are staphylococci of the skin flora, enterococci, bifidobacteria and E.coli in the intestine, and lactobacilli of the vaginal flora. The bacterial flora protects the respective organ from colonization by other, disease-causing germs and often performs other functions in addition.

The skin flora

The bacteria of the skin flora protect the skin from colonization by disease-causing germs, feed on the billions and billions of skin flakes that come off the skin every day, and also break down fats and bacteria-killing fatty acids that reduce the growth of further bacteria. Certain areas of the skin are favored by the bacteria: moist areas such as

  • Groins,
  • Armpits and
  • Spaces between toes and fingers

offer most bacteria a better climate than dry or horny skin areas. A large part of the germs are located in the hair follicles, where they are well protected from external influences have excellent conditions for growth. Typical bacteria of the skin flora are certain staphylo- and peptostreptococci as well as coryne- and propionibacteria – too much of these, by the way, causes acne.

The oral flora

The bacteria of the oral flora also protect against colonization with pathogenic germs, of which Streptococcus mutans in particular plays a major role as a bacterium that causes caries. The bacteria like to live in the gum pockets and on the tongue – only regular oral hygiene keeps their numbers within healthy limits.

The intestinal flora

Although the intestinal flora also protect against colonization with disease-causing germs, their main tasks lie elsewhere.They regulate the parts of the immune system located in the intestinal mucosa by permanently training the body’s defenses, and even produce antibiotic substances.They produce vitamins and vitamin precursors such as vitamin K or B

12

, thiamine or riboflavin, which are then absorbed through the intestinal mucosa.

During the metabolic processes of the intestinal flora, substances are produced that can be used by the intestinal cells to produce energy, and the bacteria even perform some digestive work, helping us to process food.

Important intestinal bacteria in the small intestine are enterococci and lactobacilli, and E.coli, Bacteroides, Bifidobacteria and many other species are found in the large intestine.

The vaginal flora

The vaginal flora also protects against colonization with pathogenic germs; it consists mainly of various lactobacilli, which are called Döderlein rods after their discoverer. With their metabolic products, the bacteria are also responsible for the low pH value in the vagina, which has a growth-inhibiting effect on many other germs – unfortunately not on fungi.

You can support the normal vaginal flora, for example, by using vaginal suppositories with lactobacilli after a fungal infection and by not using alkaline care products in the intimate area.