E. Coli: The Good, the Bad, and the Deadly

In most circles, a conversation about the potentially harmful E. coli bacteria would probably include spoiled food, upset digestive function, and even death. But, would it surprise you to find out that E. coli is a natural part of the human digestive ecosystem and is not always harmful? The truth is that most E. coli bacteria contribute much to the health of humans and are actually categorized as beneficial bacteria. The problem comes when mutations occur.

The Good Side of E. Coli

Living in large colonies in our gut, E. coli and other beneficial bacteria maintain a harmonious relationship with every human being on Earth. All human beings have a very close symbiotic relationship with E. coli and other microbes that take up residence in our stomach and intestines. Intestinal bacteria begin to multiply and flourish the moment we are born and continue to stay with us for the entirety of our lives. In fact, they are quite necessary for health and we benefit from them in many ways.
Beneficial colonies of bacteria, which include E. coli, help us break down food into usable, digestible molecules of nutrients. Through this process, the bacteria in our gut produce vitamin K– a vitamin that is not readily available from food sources – and some B-complex vitamins. E. coli and other beneficial bacteria also keep the populations of harmful strains ............read more