List of Useful Bacteria

Bacteria gets a bad rap because there are many kinds of harmful bacteria that can make people ill. E. coli is a particularly common type of bacteria found in contaminated food. Depending on the severity of the E. coli poisoning, an individual may become very ill or can even die. On the flipside, there is also useful bacteria that can be used to fight off infection, illness and help to strengthen the immune system.

Lactobacillus Acidophilus

• According to the Mayo Clinic.com, Lactobacillus or L. acidophilus, is a bacteria that usually lives in the human small intestine and vagina. Lactobacillus acidophilus produces vitamin K, lactase and anti-microbial substances (acidolin, acidolphilin, lactocidin and bacteriocin. The Mayo Clinic recommends that people with intestinal damage, a weakened immune system or overgrowth of intestinal bacteria avoid taking oral L. acidophilus. The Mayo Clinic website also has evidence that L. acidophilus has been successfully used to treat bacterial vaginosis, allergy treatment of Japanese cedar pollen, asthma, diarrhea prevention and treatment (particularly in children), hepatic encephalopathy, high cholesterol, irritable bowel syndrome, lactose intolerance, nectrotizing enterocolitis and vaginal candidiasis.

Bifidobacteria Animalis

• According to WebMD.com, Bifidobacteria or B. animalis is a type of bacteria that usually lives in the intestines. This bacteria can also be grown outside of the body and can be taken by mouth as a medicine. B. animalis can be used in treating many intestinal conditions, including diarrhea prevention in infants and children and traveler's diarrhea in adults. It is also used to restore good bacteria in the human body. B. animalis can be used to treat various types of bowel diseases as well. B. animalis can be found in fermented dairy products, such as yogurt and cheese.

Staphylococcus Epidermidis

• Staphylococcus epidermidis is a bacterium that is present on the skin and in the mouth. The negative side of this bacterium is that it can cause acne, dental plaque and infection if it isn't kept under control. Staphylococcus is not a completely bad bacterium; however, because ridding the body of it completely leaves the body open to severe infections. That's why staphylococcus must be kept in balance.

Lactobacillus Reuteri

• Lactobacillus or L. reuteri is sometimes referred to as the universal probiotic. It's found in colons of many animals. L. reuteri fights pathogenic bacteria. L. reuteri is also present in human breast milk and can provide immunosupportive and anti-gas, which are commonly associated with breastfeeding.