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There are many bacteria that are beneficial, and sometimes even necessary, to human life. These useful bacteria are often overlooked due to the negative effects associated with other bacterial species. A normal healthy person is actually colonized by bacteria on their skin and in their body.

In the digestive tract are bacteria, the most famous of which is Lactobacillus acidopholus, which aid in digestion, compete with possibly virulent bacteria that are inhaled on a daily basis, synthesize vitamins, convert dietary fiber, and degrade toxins. There are more bacteria in the large intestine than there are cells in the human body. The bacteria also aid in developing a vigorous immune response; more than half of the body's immune tissue is located in the lining of the small intestine. All of the digestive tract bacteria are discharged from the body daily and renewed without causing disease. Antibiotics actually end up depleting the intestinal flora leaving a person susceptible to other infections.

Staphylococcus epidermidis and P. acnes are two bacterial species that are naturally present on the skin; Streptococcus mutans is present in the mouth. These bacteria species can cause infection, acne, or dental plaques if not kept in check, but also compete out more virulent species of bacteria. Eliminating these colonizing species altogether would leave a person vulnerable to more severe infections.

There are also now bacteria being added to foods such as yogurt, which is itself a probiotic (live bacteria) culture. These are expected to aid in immune responses and digestion as well as alleviate lactose intolerance. Both Yoplait and Breyers brands tout such "live and active cultures" of useful bacteria.

Learn more about this author, Alicia M Prater PhD.
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