Post by SpyderLady on Apr 10, 2007 15:58:03 GMT -6
Bacteria in Your Body
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
1. The majority of living cells in your body are not even your own. Right now, there are roughly 100 trillion bacteria cells camping out everywhere you can imagine, exponentially outnumbering the several trillion of your own cells.
2. These bacterial guests belong to more than 500 different species, making you a virtual, walking United Nations of bacteria.
3. For these reasons, scientists at the Imperial College in London have called your body a "superorganism," not simply a single living being but rather a massive collection of organisms living together.
4. Most of the bacteria in your body are located in your digestive tract, and have been given the charming name of "gut flora." If you're in good health, many of these gut flora actually help your digestive system break down things in food your body cannot. But if your immune system is compromised, these bacteria may become opportunistic pathogens and turn against you, causing dangerous infections.
5. Another major part of your body where masses of bacteria live is your skin. These bacteria thrive on your warmth and sweat and are likely the causes of (if you currently have any, and we're not saying you do) your body odor and acne.
6. Your mouth is yet another playground for bacteria, some harmful (causing tooth decay or being ingested to cause problems elsewhere), and some helpful (by fighting or crowding out the harmful bacteria).
7. Every time you open your mouth, more bacteria enter. Most are killed either by enzymes in your mouth or by the acids in your stomach when you swallow, but if you have an open cut or sore in your mouth, all bets are off.
8. Your hands are picking up new bacteria with nearly everything and everyone you touch. A quick wash with soap and water won't kill them. Before every time you eat, you should spend 40 to 60 seconds vigorously washing your hands to decrease bacteria numbers to an acceptable level.
9. When you're locked in a passionate kiss, you and your partner could be exchanging roughly a millilitre of saliva. This will likely contain a mixture of good and bad bacteria. And if there's some tongue action, you're inviting in even more. But don't panic, the tongue often hosts a fair amount of good bacteria that help keep your mouth healthy.
10. Did you know your hair could catch bacterial infections? There is bacteria in your hair right now, and a regular washing won't kill them all. In most cases you don't have to worry, but if you come in contact with particularly nasty bacteria you could contract folliculitis, a bacterial infection of your hair follicles. If untreated, this condition can cause hair loss or scarring.
** I will be right back...need to take a long, hot shower!
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
1. The majority of living cells in your body are not even your own. Right now, there are roughly 100 trillion bacteria cells camping out everywhere you can imagine, exponentially outnumbering the several trillion of your own cells.
2. These bacterial guests belong to more than 500 different species, making you a virtual, walking United Nations of bacteria.
3. For these reasons, scientists at the Imperial College in London have called your body a "superorganism," not simply a single living being but rather a massive collection of organisms living together.
4. Most of the bacteria in your body are located in your digestive tract, and have been given the charming name of "gut flora." If you're in good health, many of these gut flora actually help your digestive system break down things in food your body cannot. But if your immune system is compromised, these bacteria may become opportunistic pathogens and turn against you, causing dangerous infections.
5. Another major part of your body where masses of bacteria live is your skin. These bacteria thrive on your warmth and sweat and are likely the causes of (if you currently have any, and we're not saying you do) your body odor and acne.
6. Your mouth is yet another playground for bacteria, some harmful (causing tooth decay or being ingested to cause problems elsewhere), and some helpful (by fighting or crowding out the harmful bacteria).
7. Every time you open your mouth, more bacteria enter. Most are killed either by enzymes in your mouth or by the acids in your stomach when you swallow, but if you have an open cut or sore in your mouth, all bets are off.
8. Your hands are picking up new bacteria with nearly everything and everyone you touch. A quick wash with soap and water won't kill them. Before every time you eat, you should spend 40 to 60 seconds vigorously washing your hands to decrease bacteria numbers to an acceptable level.
9. When you're locked in a passionate kiss, you and your partner could be exchanging roughly a millilitre of saliva. This will likely contain a mixture of good and bad bacteria. And if there's some tongue action, you're inviting in even more. But don't panic, the tongue often hosts a fair amount of good bacteria that help keep your mouth healthy.
10. Did you know your hair could catch bacterial infections? There is bacteria in your hair right now, and a regular washing won't kill them all. In most cases you don't have to worry, but if you come in contact with particularly nasty bacteria you could contract folliculitis, a bacterial infection of your hair follicles. If untreated, this condition can cause hair loss or scarring.
** I will be right back...need to take a long, hot shower!
