Bacteria as Friends

Bacteria in Balance by Karen Weintraub.  boston.com. The Boston Globe.  October 14, 2012.

Medicine is posed for a revolution in bacterial control.  This revolution is based upon the evolving research which shows that not all bacteria are bad.  Indeed, it is now known that some bacteria protect against disease.  In that light, new emphasis is placed on balance in the internal bodily environment.  This lack of balance may explain the rise of inflammatory diseases and autoimmune disorders such as type 1 diabetes, asthma, and allergies.  Research has pointed to the possibility that restoring bacterial diversity may be a better way to fight sinus infection than antibiotics.  Also, learning to use bacteria as a way to stimulate the immune system for therapeutic goals could be a productive goal.  A diet rooted in human evolutionary history could also contribute to bacteria in balance.