Antibiotics. Poison or Miracle drugs ?

The advent of Penicillin at the turn of the 20th century ushered in a new era of health care, eradicating diseases that once proved deadly However,millions of bacteria are still all around us,and even thriving inside our bodies.

Good and Bad Bacteria.
Bacteria can be separated into two categories— those that harm and those that heal. Harmful, invading bacteria are responsible for making us ill with yeast infections and other chronic illnesses like acne and psoriasis; these conditions are generally treated with a strong course of antibiotics, meant to kill off the bacteria in your body. Antibiotics, however, can’t discriminate against the bacteria that are invading your body and those that are protecting it. Bacteria such as Lactobacillus Acidophilus live in your intestines, mucous membranes and other areas of the body, where they promote digestion and defend their “territory” against invading harmful bacteria.

The immune system is our body’s natural defense system that keeps us healthy, made up of natural killer cells, lymphocytes, and macrophages; collectively, this network functions primarily against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.

In some cases, the use of antibiotics can even hinder immune function. For example, in one study, children who took amoxicillin for an ear infection suffered two to six times the recurrent rate of ear infections than those children who took a placebo. The physical symptoms caused by bad bacteria appear much more quickly than the good bacteria can get to the site of infection to take up the fight, making most people reach for an antibiotic.

New Strains of Bacteria
Overuse of antibiotics has resulted in new, mutated, and resistant strains of bacteria, which are responsible for the recurrence of diseases once eliminated from society. Millions of dollars are now being spent to prepare the United States against an outbreak of the avian strain of flu, generally in the form of anti-viral drugs and vaccines. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control, cases of the H5N1 (avian) strain of the bird flu have been confirmed in humans since 1997. So why the sudden, amplified concern?

Overuse of antibiotics has led to the current crisis. According to Mitchell L. Cohen of the Centers for Disease Control, “Unless currently effective antimicrobial agents can be successfully preserved and the transmission of drugresistant organisms curtailed, the post-antibiotic era may be rapidly approaching in which infectious disease wards housing untreatable conditions will again be seen.”

The fact that strains of A influenza (both human and avian) are constantly mutating due to the onslaught of antibiotics and anti-viral drugs has left doctors and scientists with no recourse of action and humans highly susceptible. There are some preventative measures that can be taken, however, to boost immune function and prepare you against the worst of invading organisms.

A properly functioning immune system is the key to health and longevity, being the main defense against infection, environmental poisons, cellular decay, and cancer. There are many proven steps you can take to stay healthy. To boost immune function, I recommend an approach that incorporates lifestyle changes along with supplements that have clinical research demonstrating efficiency.

Support Immune Function
The use of a probiotic (which promotes the life of the healthy bacteria living in and protecting your system) can boost immune function by inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria and increasing resistance to infection; healthy bacteria produce substances called bacteriocins, which act as a natural antibiotic by raising local levels of acidity. Preclinical studies (published in the Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases) have shown that influenza virus infection is preventable when a probiotic such as Aged Garlic Extract is added to the diet for ten days prior to viral infection and it is also as effective as a vaccine treatment.

The role of healthy bacteria in the body is not limited to immune function. They are likewise responsible for producing some B vitamins and lactase (the enzyme the body uses to digest dairy products), as well as acting as an anti-carcinogen and helping to recycle estrogen (thereby reducing symptoms of menopause and preventing osteoporosis).

Probiotics have also been shown to reduce allergic reactions. B. Bifidum plays a role in suppressing allergic reactions by reducing the production of Immunoglobulin E (a class of proteins that release antibodies in response to an allergen). By enhancing the immune system with a probiotic, the conditions in the body can be changed, making allergic reaction less likely. When shopping for a good probiotic, look for bacteria names like L. acidophilus, B. bifidum, and B. longum; these are some of the most productive strains of bacteria found in the body (the antibiotic which L. acidophilus produces will kill 50% of 27 different disease-causing bacteria).

Preventative Measures Likewise, there are other steps to take to promote your own health and longevity. There are many factors that can hamper immune function, such as stress, smoking, lack of sleep, poor diet, and nutritional deficiencies. Here are my top ten tips for supporting immune function:
1) Wash your hands regularly or use hand sanitizer. This is the best way to prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses.
2) Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and mushrooms. These foods are loaded with vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that help to support immune system function.
3) Minimize sugar and refined starches. These foods hamper immune response.
4) Drink plenty of fluids. Fluids help the body eliminate toxins and prevent dehydration.
5) Don’t smoke, and avoid second-hand smoke. Smoke damages mucous membranes in your nose, throat, and esophagus, making it easy for viruses to invade the body.
6) Minimize alcohol. Alcohol is dehydrating and hard on the liver, our key detoxifying organ.
7) Relax and de-stress. Stress interferes with immune function by releasing hormones that break down the body.
Get regular, moderate-intensity exercise.
9) Ensure adequate sleep. Proper rest is essential for immune health.
10) Take immune-boosting supplements. Get started with vitamin C, aged garlic extract, and probiotics.