Changes in intestinal bacteria with age
Bacterial groups in the intestines change with age-the percentage of bad bacteria increases as you grow older.
A fetus in the womb is kept in a sterile environment.
When the baby drinks breast milk, bifidobacteria start to grow, using the lactose and galactooligosaccharides in breast milk as a source of nutrition. A baby's stool is yellowish and does not smell because its intestinal environment is dominated by bifidobacteria.
The weaning period is when babies are slowly taken off of breast milk & start to eat smashed food. From the weaning period onwards, bacterial flora change (i.e. less bifidobacteria) to that of an adult as the baby starts to eat baby food. In adults, bifidobacteria account for 10-20% of intestinal bacteria.
In most elderly, bifidobacteria will have decreased in most cases and bad bacteria such as clostridium perfringens, which are not detected in youth, have a high probability of being detected.
Balance of bacteria
The balance of good bacteria, bad bacteria and opportunistic bacteria changes with physical condition and age. For maintaining good health, it is necessary to create a healthy intestinal environment with good bacteria.
