Why are bacteria essential for proper digestion?

Answer 1

Bacteria are not present in and out side of baby by birth. Baby is born sterile. Baby receive heavy dose of immunoglobulin in colostrum. Then after birth bacteria rapidly get hold of the colon. Though, there is acid barrier in stomach. They are not present in small intestine also. Science used the word commensals (harmless.) bacteria for them. They help in decomposition of food material, give Vitamin K and other few Vitamins. One third bulk of the feces is formed by bacteria. There importance is noticed, when you give broad spectrum antibiotics like Tetracycline's, Chloramphenicol, Third generation cephalosporins (Like cefpotaxime or cefixime, or ceftriaxone, cefoxime, ceftazidime etc.) Next day or after two days, he comes with severe loose motion. You have killed the 'normal' flora of the intestine and you have 'Pseudomembranous enterocolitis' is there to handle the with.( Caused by clostodium difficile or candia albicans.) Untreated patient will die of dehydration. So they have unparalleled advantage of preventing the growth of 'abnormal' bacteria. You have to stop the antibiotic and give 'imidazole derivatives like metronidazole, tinidazole, satronidazole, ornidazole or secnidazole. (Last two are almost useless.) If it does not work ( For last thirty years, it always worked.) you have to give vancomycin.