Bacteria as Intelligent Allies: My Conversation with Natasha Trenev
I recently had another conversation with my dear friend Natasha Trenev, founder of Natren and known worldwide as the Mother of Probiotics. Natasha has spent more than 60 years in the field of fermented foods. She was the first to introduce probiotics to North America back in 1982, long before most people even knew what the word meant.
We spoke about how environmental toxins are destroying our microbiome, how bacteria are far more intelligent than we realize, and what simple steps we can all take to heal our bodies and our homes.
As many of you know, I healed myself from widespread Crohn’s disease and have been drug and surgery free for almost 30 years. I’ve spent the last 25 years helping others do the same. Natasha and I are aligned in our mission: to restore health by protecting and nurturing the microbiome.
This blog is based on my in-depth interview with her. You can watch the complete episode in this video:
Or listen to the podcast:
We talked about how chemicals and pesticides disrupt the microbiome, why bacteria are intelligent beings, and what simple steps can detox your home. We also explored traditional foods, the probiotic strains that truly help, and how mindset and emotional healing create a healthy inner terrain.
The discussion also highlighted bacteria as intelligent, sentient beings:
- Bacteria are smarter than viruses and compete with yeast for intelligence
- They don’t waste energy on actions that don’t benefit them
- Bacteria communicate with each other and immune cells using photon light emission and chemical means
- They respond to human emotions and thoughts, affecting fermentation processes
- Bacteria make decisions based on their best interests, not out of love for humans
- They can help detoxify the body and support overall health when given the right environment
- Talking positively to bacteria and expressing gratitude can enhance their beneficial effects
- This perspective emphasizes treating bacteria as conscious partners in health rather than just passive supplements.
How do Bacteria communicate with immune cells?
Natasha explained something very interesting about the various mechanisms bacteria use to communicate. Our bacteria are constantly in conversation with our immune system. They are not silent passengers, they are actively guiding what happens in our bodies.
They do this in three main ways:
1. Chemical Signaling
- They release specific molecules that plug into immune cell receptors
- They also produce compounds that change how immune cells behave
2. Direct Contact
- Their surface proteins can physically touch immune receptors
- This contact tells the immune cells what action to take
3. Photon Light Emission
- Yes, bacteria actually emit tiny light signals
- Our immune cells can detect and respond to those signals
Through these methods, bacteria can influence how our immune system reacts, when it should calm down, and how inflammation is regulated. The communication goes both ways. Immune cells send messages back, and the bacteria adjust accordingly.
When our microbiome is healthy, this back-and-forth keeps the body balanced. When it’s damaged, the lines of communication break down, and that’s when trouble begins.
Bacteria Also Respond to Our Emotions
But here’s where it gets even more interesting: bacteria also respond to our thoughts and emotions. Natasha shared that in fermentation labs, if the person tending the cultures came in with negative energy, the batch often failed. The bacteria simply refused to “set” properly.
This is why I actually talk to my probiotics when I drink them. I thank them for coming to help me. I send them love. It might sound strange, but these are sentient beings. They respond to the environment we create: both physically and emotionally.
When we treat them as partners rather than passive supplements, they often do more for us.
Chemicals, Pesticides, and the Explosion of Chronic Disease
We also discussed about the chemicals in our food, water, and air. Most people don’t realize that these are not just “pesticides” or “weed killers.” Many of them were originally patented as antibiotics. Glyphosate, for example, was first patented as a very potent antibiotic.
So every time we eat conventionally grown food, we are taking in micro-doses of antibiotics. These chemicals don’t just stay in the soil, they enter our food, our water, and even the air we breathe. They can also pass through the skin simply by touching pesticide-laden produce.
What do these chemicals do?
They disrupt our natural microbiome. They upset the balance of bacteria not only in the gut, but also in the reproductive organs, bloodstream, and even brain cells. They act as endocrine disruptors, throwing off the delicate balance of hormones. They also interfere with how we metabolize sugar and regulate blood glucose.
When our microbiome is under constant assault like this, the immune system has no choice but to go into overdrive. Inflammation is triggered because the body perceives cells damaged by toxins as defective. This is why we see an explosion of chronic illness.
Natasha believes and I agree that these chemical exposures are one of the primary reasons why 80% of people in North America now suffer from some form of chronic disease.
Easy steps to create a healing & detox space while you sleep
Water filtration:
- A stainless steel Berkey counter-top filter is an excellent option, and it can even filter fluoride.
- If you can afford it, install a whole-house water filter (at source) so that every faucet and shower has clean water.
- At the very least, get a showerhead filter to remove chlorine, since your skin absorbs chemicals while you bathe.
Air purification:
- Place a HEPA filter in your bedroom, because this is where your body detoxes and repairs while you sleep.
- Natasha uses a Swiss-made hospital-grade air system in her home, but a simple HEPA unit is affordable and effective.
Bedding and flooring:
- Switch to natural bedding materials like cotton or wool. If possible, invest in a natural latex mattress.
- If a new mattress isn’t possible, start with a 100% cotton mattress cover and sheets.
- Replace carpets with natural wood, cork, or bamboo flooring if you can. Carpets trap toxins and dust.
Click to see my book with instruction video where I show you how to turn every room in your house into one that supports your healing
Reduce electromagnetic exposure:
- Unplug your Wi-Fi at night (just turning it off doesn’t work, you have to unplug it from the wall).
- Keep cell phones out of the bedroom, and turn them off or in Airplane Mode. If you have to leave your phone on, then put it a distance away from you. For example, place or charge your phone in the kitchen.
- Your body has its own electromagnetic field, and reducing interference allows it to restore properly during sleep.
Clean with natural products:
- Use distilled vinegar and baking soda for cleaning. Get rid of toxic sprays and chemical cleaners.
- Declutter regularly, since piles of stuff collect dust and harbor irritants.
Eat cleaner:
- Shop at your local farmers market once a week.
- Many small farmers use regenerative methods even without organic certification. Talking to them directly lets you know how your food is grown.
These easy changes may sound simple, but the synergy together creates a powerful foundation for healing. When your water, air, food, and home environment are cleaner, your beneficial bacteria can do their job of protecting and detoxifying your body.
Diet and Traditional Food Wisdom
Natasha’s daily meals still reflect the healthy traditions of her Balkan heritage. Meat was eaten only twice a week, with most meals built around vegetables, beans, sourdough bread, and dairy. She still starts her day with pasture-raised eggs, dark rye toast, real butter, and olive oil, with fresh fruit and simple home-cooked meals throughout the day.
She also reminded us how difficult eating out can be, since restaurants often use the cheapest, most chemical-laden ingredients. This is why she believes the farmers market is our best option — not just for fresh produce, but also as a model for future community kitchens and stalls serving simple, clean, nutrient-dense meals.
Shopping your local market once a week and talking directly to farmers is one of the easiest ways to bring back this tradition of real food and safeguard your health.
The Probiotics That Truly Help
Most probiotic products on the market don’t work because the bacteria are not compatible with the human body or are poorly grown. Natasha spent decades selecting strains that have been studied for over 100 years and that naturally live in our digestive tract:
- Lactobacillus acidophilus – thrives in the small intestine, helps remove toxins.
- Bifidobacteria – live in the large intestine, process waste, and protect the liver.
- Lactobacillus bulgaricus – called the “longevity bacteria,” supports digestion and immunity.
- Bifidobacteria infantis – essential for infants, regulates the immune system up or down as needed.
For people with sensitive guts, Natasha recommends starting with Life Start – B. infantis, then slowly adding Bifido-Factor (for diarrhea-prone) or Digesta-Lac – L. bulgaricus (for constipation).
The Role of Mindset and Trauma
Good bacteria want to live in a healthy, positive environment. Negative thoughts, unresolved trauma, and toxic emotions make us poor hosts. This is why healing the gut often requires more than food and supplements.
Therapies like Lazer Tapping, EFT tapping, hypnotherapy, craniosacral work, and somatic experiencing help release trauma stored in the tissues.
Try a FREE Lazer Tapping Session with me!
Final Thoughts
Healing doesn’t have to be complicated. Focus on the basics: clean air and water, real food, supportive bacteria, and a positive mindset. These are the foundations of health.
Bacteria are not passive. They are intelligent beings that sense our environment and emotions. When we give them the right conditions, they work with us to detoxify, regulate, and heal. This is why I see them as partners on the journey back to wellness.
You May Also Be Interested In:
- Stubborn Infection: Dialoguing with Bacteria Consciousness
- Forest Chat: Microorganism Consciousness – Fungi, Bacteria, Virus
- Everything You Need to Know About Natural Gut Healing Protocols
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