{"id":59693,"date":"2020-08-04T12:08:49","date_gmt":"2020-08-04T10:08:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/gut-flora-and-lactobacillus-species\/"},"modified":"2026-09-29T10:41:02","modified_gmt":"2026-09-29T08:41:02","slug":"gut-flora-and-lactobacillus-species","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/en\/gut-flora-and-lactobacillus-species\/","title":{"rendered":"Gut flora and Lactobacillus species"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Effect of bacteria on our gut flora<\/h2>\n

Probiotics are preparations that contain live or freeze-dried intestinal bacteria.
\nThe gut flora is very diverse, which means that a healthy intestine contains hundreds of bacterial species. Lactobacilli are often prescribed for gastrointestinal complaints and after a course of antibiotics.<\/p>\n

What are probiotics?<\/h2>\n

The official scientific definition of probiotics is: \u2018A probiotic is a preparation or a product containing live, well-defined microorganisms in sufficient numbers, which changes the microflora in a particular organ of the host and thereby has a health-promoting effect on the host.\u2019 This definition is too limited, because it appears that the benefits of probiotics mainly lie in promoting a beneficial immune response \u2013 rather than in a specific organ. The term live organism is also under discussion. There is no doubt that probiotics attract considerable attention. The medical search engine PubMed alone shows 35,580 articles about lactobacilli and 8,300 articles about Lactobacilli as probiotics.<\/p>\n

Living bacteria<\/h2>\n

Critics emphasise that bacteria do not live for long. The question is whether probiotic bacteria that have died can still have an effect. Another point is whether these bacteria reach the intestine alive. A double-blind study involving 114 healthy young volunteers who drank yoghurt containing large amounts of Lactobacillus delbrueckii indicated that the bacteria were almost impossible to find in the intestine because they did not survive exposure to stomach acid and bile very well. The researchers concluded that these bacteria added to milk did not deserve the term probiotics1.<\/p>\n

Function of microorganisms<\/h2>\n

However, the microorganisms do not have to be alive to have an effect12; dead lactobacilli also have a beneficial effect on the body. Lactobacilli killed by UV light were able to inhibit pro-infection messenger substances (cytokines) that promote intestinal infection2.<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\n

Bacterial families in the gut flora<\/h2>\n

The intestinal microflora comprises more than 500 bacterial families. A Stanford group of scientists examined 13,355 DNA fragments from bacteria present in stool and the intestinal mucosa. Most corresponded to bacteria that cannot be cultured and to microorganisms that had not previously been demonstrated. Some bacteria tolerate oxygen, while most grow only in an environment without oxygen.<\/p>\n

1. Aerobic bacteria, living with oxygen<\/h2>\n

Among the aerobic bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, enterococci and Lactobacillus spp. can be detected by culture; under normal conditions they make up less than 0.1% of the flora.
\nThe Enterobacteriaceae family consists of different types of Gram-negative rods. The largest group is formed by beneficial Escherichia coli, which plays an important role in stimulating the immune system.
\nLactobacilli are acid-producing bacteria.
\nLactobacilli occur in pickles, sauerkraut11 and olives; some intestinal lactobacilli may come from food. In contrast, lactobacilli form the main population in the stomach and small intestine.
\nEnterococci belong to the streptococcal group and are present in soil, water and the intestine. They are beneficial to the intestine, produce natural antibiotics, inhibit Salmonella infections and keep immune cells alert.<\/p>\n

2. Anaerobic bacteria, living without oxygen<\/h2>\n

About 80% of healthy gut flora consists of two different phyla, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes species. These bacteria do not tolerate oxygen and die quickly outside the body. They can only be identified by means of DNA analyses.<\/p>\n

Different types of probiotics<\/h2>\n

Administration of specific bacterial cultures, probiotics, can partially restore the gut flora and can be used as a treatment. Specific probiotic bacteria can have an anti-inflammatory effect8. The use of probiotics in livestock farming reduces disease and is associated with a decrease in mortality from diarrhoea9. Probiotics can contain different types of bacteria:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. E. coli suspensions have a stimulating effect on the immune system and reduce the inflammatory response of the mucosa<\/li>\n
  2. Lactobacilli. Interestingly, administration of lactobacilli increases the numbers of E. coli because they benefit from the acid-producing property of the lactobacilli.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
      \n
    • Lactobacillus acidophilus<\/li>\n
    • Lactobacillus brevis, isolated from plants17<\/li>\n
    • Lactobacillus casei, paracasei KW3110<\/li>\n
    • Lactobacillus salivarus<\/li>\n
    • Lactobacillus delbrueckii, bulgaricus and salivarius<\/li>\n
    • Lactobacillus rhamnosus Gorbach & Goldin16, LGG. This bacterium was named after its \u2018discoverers\u2019: Gorbach and Goldin.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
        \n
      1. Bifidobacteria such as Bifidobacterium breve and longum have a mild effect on the immune system; administration in combination with lactobacilli is more effective.<\/li>\n
      2. Enterococcus faecalis. Administration of probiotics provides limited stimulation of the immune system but has no effect on T-helper cells. They do promote mucosal function and inhibit pathogenic organisms.<\/li>\n
      3. Saccharomyces boulardii, a yeast18. Higher levels of immunoglobulin A in the intestine were observed with use of the yeast S. boulardii, together with an increase in IL-10. These yeasts are more effective than B. animalis and L. casei.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Inflammatory markers in the gut flora<\/h2>\n

        Many people have abnormal microflora. This can manifest as deficiencies of beneficial bacteria, but also as overgrowth of harmful species or an increase in inflammatory markers in the gut flora. Harmful bacteria can stimulate macrophages through their cell membrane. These immune cells produce messenger substances, cytokines, that activate white blood cells and T lymphocytes. Probiotics regulate the T-helper-cell response of lymphocytes in the intestine19.<\/p>\n

        T-helper type 1 lymphocytes respond to viruses, bacteria and most single-celled intestinal parasites. An excessive response can lead to autoimmune diseases. An overly strong Th1 response can lead to chronic inflammatory complaints, such as rheumatic disorders and Crohn\u2019s disease.
        \nT-helper type 2 lymphocytes respond to worms and the parasite Giardia lamblia. Th2 cells produce messenger substances that inhibit inflammatory reactions and support growth and repair. An excessive increase in Th2 can lead to allergies. Weakness of Th1 can cause an exaggerated Th2 response, resulting in allergic reactions, eczema and gastrointestinal complaints.<\/p>\n

        Lactobacillus species<\/h2>\n

        Lactobacillus species are often used as probiotics. Studies show that different species have different properties:<\/p>\n