lichiroh Ohhira, Ph.D., a renowned microbiologist who studied at Okayama University in Japan, has dedicated his life to the study of human bacteria and how to improve human health by ensuring the presence of adequate colonies of good bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract and elsewhere.

Dr. Ohhira first studied lactic acid producing bacteria in China. There, he observed that many persons lived very long and productive lives. After scrutinizing their eating habits, he discovered that it was mainly the fermented foods they ate that led to their good health and longevity.

In an effort to identify and isolate the beneficial ingredients of the many fermented foods consumed in Asia, Dr. Ohhira researched and studied these foods for decades. As a result of his efforts, and that of his team of research scientists, he concluded, "there are two types of human bacteria--the "good" or friendly types and the "bad" or harmful types." He also confirmed that each human requires approximately 85 percent of the good bacteria to nourish the body and keep it healthy. He further determined that although there are more than 100 kinds of lactic acid bacteria, only about 20 are actually beneficial to human health.

Dr. Ohhira soon learned that the human body, although created with the proper ratio of good to bad bacteria, frequently alters the ratio of bacteria as a result of today's modern lifestyle. The use of antibiotics inhibit not only bad bacteria but also good bacteria, thus permitting bad bacteria to invade the Gl tract and multiply in high numbers sufficient to disturb the delicate balance between the good and bad bacteria. This balance also is upset by the use of oral contraceptives, steroids, exposure to radiation through x-rays and radiation therapy, excessive consumption of chlorinated water, the consumption of refined sugars and other refined foods, poor digestion, poor elimination of waste, stress, an unhealthy diet, etc.

Scientists have determined that when the delicate balance between good and bad bacteria is adversely altered, in favor of the bad bacteria the body is overloaded with toxins and disease. According to the Royal Society of Medicine of Great Britain, toxins emanating from the Gl tract may be the cause of 90 percent of all chronic diseases.

Scientists also have determined that there are many negative health effects that stem from the loss of probiotics (good bacteria) including the lack of recirculation of female hormones such as estrogen, the overgrowth of detrimental, disease-causing bacteria and yeasts such as Clostridium dificile, Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, Yersinia enterocolitica, etc.

The presence of too few probiotics encourages the production of endotoxins in the Gl tract, which contributes to lupus erythematosus, pancreatitis, psoriasis and other skin conditions. Further, a shortage of probiotics allows partially digested proteins to enter the bloodstream contributing to eczema, nervous system disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, and a variety of other immune system disorders.

A loss of probiotics and the appearance of the detrimental (bad) bacteria contribute to Gl tract problems such as leaky bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, immutable bowel syndrome, etc.. Also, specific strains of detrimental bacteria have been proven to cause severe health problems. For example, E. Coli may lead to problems with insulin and blood sugar function. Yersinia enterocolitica, a bad bacterium, produces substances that cause the over-production of the thyroid hormone. This detrimental bacterium, reportedly, contributes to autoimmune diseases.