Western diet promotes the growth of ‘bad’ gut bacteria

Posted in Latest Research ... August 7th, 2010

New research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has found that African children fed a largely vegetarian diet and breast-fed to 2 years had vastly different gut bacteria than those children living in European cities and breast-fed for half that time. In the latter case the  children had higher levels of certain gut bacteria linked to inflammatory conditions such as allergies as well as obesity. The African children were also found to have a more diverse range of microbes that may be protective against a range of diseases. The study also highlighted that not only diet, but vaccines, antibiotics and better hygiene have contributed to changes in gut bacteria that have coincided with an increase in allergies and autoimmune conditions. Mario Ciani, chair of natural science at Mercy College, New York, commented that the study “definitely verified that a difference in colonization is associated with a low-fat, low-sugar, lower designer-food-type-diet”.

Just Nutrition Viewpoint

This research joins a growing body of evidence linking ’bad’ gut bacteria with a range of health issues including obesity, allergies and autoimmune conditions. In recent years there has been a marked increase in childhood conditions such as eczema, asthma, allergies and Type 1 (juvenille-onset) diabetes.. The gastrointestinal  remains immature in infants and toddlers and the state of the gut flora can play a major part in the development of certain conditions. Breastfeeding has been shown to promote the growth of ‘good’ bacteria which may partly explain why breast-fed babies have a lower incidence of certain childhood diseases. Even if the balance of the gut flora is weighted in favour of the ‘bad guys’, things can still be turned around. Changing from a high-sugar, high refined carbohydrate diet to a diet rich in complex carbohydrates, pulses, fruit and vegetables promotes the growth of the ‘good guys’ and cuts off the food supply to the less desirable microbes.

Yoghurt drinks containing friendly bacteria generally do not contain enough good guys to significantly increase gut levels. In addition, they often contain sugar which only feeds the bad guys. The best thing to do is change your diet. For those prone to the types of conditions already mentioned a probiotic supplement might also be beneficial. These should contain both acidophilus and bifidobacteria. As the acid environment of the stomach can be hostile to these bacteria, it is best to take probiotic supplements at the end of a meal when stomach acid tends to be a little weaker.