The balance between good and bad bacteria?

Our intestines, particularly the large intestine, are home to a community of thousands of billions of bacteria, often known as the ‘microflora’.

These bacteria take up residence very soon after birth and remain with us for our entire life. Most of these bacteria are friendly and play a part in the maintenance of our health in a number of ways.

However, some are less friendly, and in circumstances such as lack of sleep, stressful lifestyle, poor diet, or the use of antibiotics these can begin to outweigh the beneficial types. In a sense this process is a little like a floral garden where poor conditions may kill some of the flowers, only to be replaced by weeds, which, if left untended, slowly begin to overrun the remaining flowers.

The result is that we can feel sluggish, with periods of discomfort and bloating, and also our natural defences can come under increased pressure.