E. coli: What Your Gut Levels Can Signal

Escherichia coli is one of the most commonly found Enterobacteriaceae species. Low levels of Escherichia coli are common in adults and will not usually cause harm but they can increase after a gastrointestinal illness or a course of antibiotics. They are a common cause of infections when they manage to colonize other parts of the body, such as the urinary tract and may be implicated in gut inflammation and irritable bowel syndrome. Some strains of E. coli carry toxins that are more likely to cause disease than others and they are often a cause of antibiotic-resistant infections so it is especially important to keep an eye on these if you have recently been treated for an infection [1] [2] [3].

We consider low to undetectable levels of Escherichia coli to be optimal. The best way to combat Escherichia coli is to encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria that will outcompete them for resources. (Adapted from Tiny Health)