It would take an entire book, or library of books, to spell out all the ways that microflora helps the body. But we will give just a few examples here. Most of the billions of helpful bacteria in the human body can be found in the intestines, this is where vital nutrients are extracted from the food you eat. The intestines comprise 23 feet of folded tubes covered in thousands of tiny finger-like, nutrient-absorbing villi, giving the total surface area of a football field! The microflora performs many vital functions in the digestive system. They break down indigestible proteins. They produce acids that regulate PH, preventing harmful bacteria from growing. They act as an army of tiny soldiers, fighting harmful bacteria by taking up their space, producing substances that kill them, acidifying the environment, and in some cases directly attacking and “strangling” the bad bacteria. Useful substances like vitamin K, B Vitamins, nisin, and lactic & acetic acid are produced by the microflora.

Digestions is just the start, the microflora plays a vital role in immune system function. Studies where animals are raised in a germ-free environment (so no helpful bacteria can enter them) show that their immune systems are compromised. There is direct communication between certain microflora and immune cells, and experiments with probiotic supplements show their ability to prevent and alleviate numerous diseases. The link between microflora and immunity is so great that it has led to a completely new field of vaccine research.

The gut-brain link is also incredibly important, with supplementation with certain microflora being shown to alleviate depression and anxiety. There is also some very promising research into microflora and Alzheimer’s disease (people with this disease have been shown to have a different microflora balance). The gut and the brain are connected, largely through the vagus nerve, and it appears that microflora plays a vital role in this communication.