2 minute read
The life within
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek is not a name that rolls off the tongue, but he is famous for being the inventor of the microscope and the first person to see bacteria. In fact, he discovered them in vast profusion in scrapings from his own teeth.
Nowadays, we are a bit more comfortable with the idea that we have millions of microorganisms living on us, and in us, but it is only recently that we have begun to understand the role that they play in health and disease.
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In the last 20 years there has been an absolute explosion of research and information about what is called ‘the human biome’ or ‘normal flora’. The sheer scale, variety and significance of this work can’t be overstated. There are 10 times more microbial cells in our body than human cells, mostly in our gut, and they are busy doing things which are highly important for our digestion, metabolism, immunity and mood. This applies from birth, with babies born vaginally having a different flora from those who exit through the sunroof. In addition, breastmilk contains substances which infants can’t digest but which feed “good” bacteria in the gut. This may be part of the reason why breastfed babies are less prone to allergies, eczema and asthma.
Aspects of our modern lifestyle, especially diet, stress and antibiotics, have adversely affected our biome. Hunter-gatherer communities have a very different balance of bacteria in their gut than we do in urbanised societies and the key difference is fibre intake. When enough fibre is available to the large bowel,
“good” bacteria dominate. These produce substances which reduce inflammation in the body and have other benefits.
On the other hand, if fibre intake is low, different varieties of bacteria take over, including some which can eat the mucus lining the bowel. This affects the immune and digestive functions of the gut, in effect breaking down the fence that separates outside from inside our bodies. The pathway to arterial disease and some cancers may be triggered by metabolites produced by these gut bacteria as well.
The human biome is increasingly conceptualised as an ecosystem, just like a rain forest or a coral reef. It can be damaged, changed or enhanced depending on human cultural factors. Species can even become extinct in the transition to a Western lifestyle. There is medical consensus that it is beneficial for most people to increase fibre intake, though it is worth doing some research about the different types of fibres and how to get the right balance.
Also, it pays to reduce highly processed food and to restore “good” bacteria by eating live culture foods. Examples of these are yoghurt, kefir, kombucha, sauerkraut, pickles, miso, tempeh, kimchi and some cheeses. Not all of these are familiar to the Kiwi palate, so consuming enough of them can be a challenge. This makes it tempting to just buy some probiotics over the counter, but our knowledge of which ones are helpful, in what amounts and for which individuals is still very limited.
Minibus Driver Required
The acquisition of a 20 seat minibus has provided exciting new opportunities for our We need a driver who can not only drive when called upon but who can also easily fit into our team and culture. You must have a clean and current P endorsement license and have experience with public relations and passenger transport. Pick-ups and drop-offs will initially be in the Rodney region, later expanding into other North Island locations. A wheel chair ramp and mover is provided to on-board wheel chair bound passengers. This is a part-time role with 15 hours per week guaranteed. Working hours will vary from week to week, and may include weekend and evening drives and will involve waiting time. You will be responsible for complete on-road vehicle maintenance and regulatory compliance and will also be proficient with a smart phone and PC programs linked to our management information system. This is not a taxi service.
If you wish to know more about the role and how to apply
Please contact Mike on 027 564 7779
Why
