In my prior ebook, I focused solely on reducing E.Coli, below is the update on the what should be done – based on the strategy that I described in my prior post.

Correcting Gut Bacteria Dysfunction

WARNING: These herbs should NOT be used with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (unless you have Mutaflor!)

The Hit List

The herbs listed below are ones that may be reasonably obtained in a large metropolitan area with both Chinese Medicine and Indian Ayurvedic sources. Alternatively, most of these herbs are available on Amazon.com.

• Rheum officinale (yào yòng dà huáng) is reported to inhibit bacteroides fragilis, unfortunately it also inhibits bifidobacteria[2010].  This was the only herb of 178 herbs tested that had significant activity. In terms of antibiotics, only metronidazole appears to be effective against most species that are overgrown.
• Chitosan is reported to inhibit Peptostreptococcus, unfortunately it also inhibits bifidobacteria[2010]. Studies report that this family of bacteria is increasingly resistant to antibiotics with 10-13% of species resistant to preferred antibiotics. The most effective antibiotic appears to be metronidazole, and does not impact bifidobacteria [2013].

There are several herbs reported to inhibit E.Coli according to the National Library of Medicine. These include:

Despite the number of criteria, none of the herbs above effective against E.Coli appear to have any know counter-indicative characteristics. Only 2 have been studied in relationship to IBD (one marked with study under name) with ginger reported as  “the same item that was beneficial for one group of subjects was detrimental to others;” [2010]

A study of Chinese herbal medicines has found that repeated use of the same herbs does result in resistance to the herbs by some E.Coli species. This suggests that the above herbs should be used in combinations of 2-3 herbs with rotation every two weeks to minimize the risk of resistance.

The Prescription Route

I would refer readers to Effects of antibiotics on bacterial species composition and metabolic activities in chemostats containing defined populations of human gut microorganisms. [2013] which is available in full text.

The Immigrants

The beneficial probiotic, E.Coli Nissle 1917 (Mutaflor), out competes many E.Coli species. The suggested approach is to replace the invasive bacteria with Mutaflor as they are killed. Thus a rotation between killing E.Coli and supplementing with Mutaflor.  Yes, it means that you will be killing off some of the Mutaflor — which is why cycling is important.

Bifidobacteria are available in many commercial probiotics. Align, Ultimate Flora RTS – Colon Care Probiotic, RiteAid’s Colon Care, Phillips Colon Care are a few examples.

Faecalibacterium praunsitzii is at present not available except for clinical trials that are ongoing. The importance for the faecalibacterium praunsitzii shift has been questioned in some studies and may be a result of diet changes alone. A study with patients using faecalibacterium praunsitzii reported less severe symptoms.

Another commerical probiotics, Prescript Assist, has had outstanding success in treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome but lacks any reported trials for CD or UC.  It contains several species that are low in Crohn’s Disease.

The Breakup Artists

Lastly, biofilms are produced by E.Coli, so the use of agents to break down biofilms should be considered as part of any treatment plan. Some known biofilm agents are

• Serrapeptase: anticoagulant,
• Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) – a histamine reducer,
• Bishop Weed (Ajwain Seeds) – n/a histamine,
• Acetylcysteine (NAC) – Warning, a histamine raiser

The above are the players. My friend alternatives between anti-microbials herbs(1-3) and probiotics every 1-2 weeks.