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- Aug 14, 2010
- Messages
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MICROBIOLOGICAL BENEFITS OF HUMAN
GEOPHAGIC PRACTICE
Clay-rich soils have been reported to adsorb intestinal
unwanted substances (Dominy et al., 2004). Microbial
agents such as Yersinia enterocolitica, Escherichia coli,
Streptococcus faecalis, Helicobacter pylori, and Mycobacteria
have been postulated to play a role in the
aetiology of Crohn’s disease which is characterized by a
severe, non-specific, chronic inflammation of the intestinal
wall (Liu et al., 1995; Rubery, 2002; Lamps et al., 2003).
According to Shanahan (2000), alterations of the flora
with probiotics and antibiotic strategies have putative
beneficial effects in human beings and other animals.
Several studies have emphasized the role of probiotic
bacteria to favorably alter the intestinal microflora
balance, inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, promote
good digestion, boost immune function, and increase
resistance to infection (Mel'nikova et al., 1993; Sirnov et
al., 1993; Walker, 1997). According to the report of
Walker, Primal DefenceTM, a food supplement made up of
homeostatic soil organisms (HSOs) help maintain a
healthy balance of intestinal flora. (http://www.crohnsdisease-
probiotics.com/primaldefense.html). This is done
by producing organic compounds such as lactic acid,
hydrogen peroxide and acetic acid, which increase the
acidity of the intestine and inhibit the reproduction of
massive amounts of harmful microorganisms (Kawase,
1982; Rasic, 1983). The HSOsTM comprises of up to 15
soil and plants derived microbes such as Lactobacillus
acidophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus
delbreukii, Lactobacillus caseii, Lactobacillus plantarum,
Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus lactis, Bacillus licheniformus,
Bacillus subtilis, Bifido bifidus, Sacchromyces
boulardi. There is therefore, evidence that supports the
usefulness of the commensal flora found in soil as vital in
the establishment of healthy bacteria within the digestive
tract, addressing the problems presented by Crohn's
disease and leaky gut syndrome.
Just as charcoal is prescribed in cases of child
poisoning for its adsorptive role, ingested clay in pregnant
women may improve digestive efficiency and also reduce
fetal exposure to toxins tolerated by mother (Profet,
1992). Aflatoxin is a known toxin produced by fungi.
There have been reports of the amelioration of the toxic
effect of aflatoxin (Rosa et al., 2001), afflatoxin and
fumonisin (Miazzo et al., 2005) in animal feeds by the
addition of sodium bentonite to the broiler chick diets.
Some specific beneficial pharmaceutical usage of edible
soil includes that of white clay (kaolin) mined in Georgia
and South Carolina used in the production of Mist Kaolin,
a diarrhea remedy (Martindale, 1993).
2010
http://academicjournals.org/PDF/pdf2... et al.pdf
GEOPHAGIC PRACTICE
Clay-rich soils have been reported to adsorb intestinal
unwanted substances (Dominy et al., 2004). Microbial
agents such as Yersinia enterocolitica, Escherichia coli,
Streptococcus faecalis, Helicobacter pylori, and Mycobacteria
have been postulated to play a role in the
aetiology of Crohn’s disease which is characterized by a
severe, non-specific, chronic inflammation of the intestinal
wall (Liu et al., 1995; Rubery, 2002; Lamps et al., 2003).
According to Shanahan (2000), alterations of the flora
with probiotics and antibiotic strategies have putative
beneficial effects in human beings and other animals.
Several studies have emphasized the role of probiotic
bacteria to favorably alter the intestinal microflora
balance, inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, promote
good digestion, boost immune function, and increase
resistance to infection (Mel'nikova et al., 1993; Sirnov et
al., 1993; Walker, 1997). According to the report of
Walker, Primal DefenceTM, a food supplement made up of
homeostatic soil organisms (HSOs) help maintain a
healthy balance of intestinal flora. (http://www.crohnsdisease-
probiotics.com/primaldefense.html). This is done
by producing organic compounds such as lactic acid,
hydrogen peroxide and acetic acid, which increase the
acidity of the intestine and inhibit the reproduction of
massive amounts of harmful microorganisms (Kawase,
1982; Rasic, 1983). The HSOsTM comprises of up to 15
soil and plants derived microbes such as Lactobacillus
acidophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus
delbreukii, Lactobacillus caseii, Lactobacillus plantarum,
Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus lactis, Bacillus licheniformus,
Bacillus subtilis, Bifido bifidus, Sacchromyces
boulardi. There is therefore, evidence that supports the
usefulness of the commensal flora found in soil as vital in
the establishment of healthy bacteria within the digestive
tract, addressing the problems presented by Crohn's
disease and leaky gut syndrome.
Just as charcoal is prescribed in cases of child
poisoning for its adsorptive role, ingested clay in pregnant
women may improve digestive efficiency and also reduce
fetal exposure to toxins tolerated by mother (Profet,
1992). Aflatoxin is a known toxin produced by fungi.
There have been reports of the amelioration of the toxic
effect of aflatoxin (Rosa et al., 2001), afflatoxin and
fumonisin (Miazzo et al., 2005) in animal feeds by the
addition of sodium bentonite to the broiler chick diets.
Some specific beneficial pharmaceutical usage of edible
soil includes that of white clay (kaolin) mined in Georgia
and South Carolina used in the production of Mist Kaolin,
a diarrhea remedy (Martindale, 1993).
2010
http://academicjournals.org/PDF/pdf2... et al.pdf
