The Tale of Roy - the Reuteri bacteria

As I was basking in the coolness of my enteric coated capsule, a metallic voice burst through the communication system announcing “incoming message, incoming message”.

As I clicked on the READ button the voice declared: “Antibiotic exposure; devastation to good bacteria colonies in the human digestive tract; requires immediate attention! Lactobacillus reuteri units prepare for deployment”. Being a reuteri probiotic (a good gut bacteria) myself, I put my combat helmet on and called out to all bacteria residing with me in the Nature’s Way® enteric coated capsule to get ready. I love this capsule – its unique coating means we can reach the depths of the small intestines without having to worry about the stomach acid affecting us on the way. Even though us Lactobacillus reuteri are resistant to acid, our other comrades in the capsule aren’t.

My heart was leaping with excitement, but I kept my cool. My unparalleled communication and combat systems means I am the best front line probiotic there is and my fellow bacteria look up to me to lead the way.

As our capsule travelled down the oesophagus of the human and into the stomach, I could see the concerned look on the other bacteria’s faces. “Guys, don’t worry” I announced tapping on the capsule’s wall. “Its super-duper coating will keep us safe”. Even though no one made a sound, the sigh of relief was apparent. I quickly handed out the plan of attack and the mapping I had prepared earlier to help differentiate between “infectives” and “the good guys”.

Warm liquids started flowing through newly formed holes in the capsule. I realised that this is it - we had reached the alkaline environment of the small intestine. “Battle stations!” I yelled and without even waiting for the capsule to dissolve completely I leapt into the abyss, already scanning the intestinal surface for “infectives”. I didn’t need a map - I had memorised all those criminals’ faces by heart! My Reuterin stun- gun, a weapon unique to reuteri bacteria, was loaded and ready to fire. I blasted my way through the “infectives”. There were hundreds of them - E. Coli, Candida, Staph, Campylobacters…all trying to make a run for it, but I got them good. Man, I just love my job!

As I created the first clearing on the face of the intestinal wall, I hit the call-out button on my AGGH comms system “Area clear for probiotic colonisation” I broadcasted to all fellow probiotics. As soon as I had finished making the announcement, hundreds of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus landed on the clear patch of mucous lining and started to multiply.

Over the following days more probiotics arrived as the vigilant human we were residing in kept up with a good supplementation regime. It made it so easy to dominate. We were going to win this war!