Antibiotic Abuse Has Adverse Short- & Long-Term Health Ramifications

Many people run the doctor and expect a prescription for an antibiotic at the first sign of a sore throat or an upper respiratory infection. The bacteria that are susceptible to the antibiotic are killed off and the bacteria that have a predisposed genetic resistance survive. The resistant bacteria then produce more resistant bacteria. This can result in superinfections developing that are resistant to that specific antibiotic.

When bacteria have developed resistance against one or more antibiotics, minor infections can become potentially life-threatening. Antibiotic use in childhood also may be linked to a host of problems well into adulthood. This is more proof that antibiotics need to be reserved for life-threatening situations. Antibiotic prescriptions for minor infections and their overuse in the meat and dairy industries should be addressed.

Antibiotic Use in the Meat & Dairy Industries:

Meat raised in confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) is one known source of drug-resistant disease.

A report commissioned by UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, estimates that by 2050 antibiotic resistance will have killed 300 million people; the annual global death toll reaching 10 million.

Moreover, experts are warning we may soon be at a point where virtually ALL antibiotics fail and once that happens, it will be devastating to modern medicine.

Three recommendations that can help reduce your risk for antibiotic-resistant disease include the following:

1. Avoid using antibiotics unless your infection is severe enough to warrant it.

2. Stay out of hospitals as much as possible (treatment using medical scopes is particularly risky).

3. Avoid CAFO animal products and remember that nearly all meat served in restaurants or on planes is CAFO.

Antibiotics Can Seriously Compromise Your Child’s Long-Term Health:

Antibiotics are commonly prescribed to children for a variety of ailments. According to Science Daily. Antibiotics account for about one-fourth of all medications prescribed to children. Taking antibiotics “just in case” is a dangerous practice.

Many studies have shown antibiotics have both short- and long-term effects on the composition and health of the microbes in your gut, which play a crucial role in your overall immune function and general health.

Recent research also suggests children treated with antibiotics raise their risk of developing health problems in adulthood, including making them more susceptible to infectious diseases, allergies, obesity and autoimmune disorders as they grow older.

According to senior author Dan Knights, assistant professor at University of Minnesota; “Over the past year we synthesized hundreds of studies and found evidence of strong correlations between antibiotic use, changes in gut bacteria, and disease in adulthood....

We think these findings help develop a roadmap for future research to determine the health consequences of antibiotic use and for recommendations for prescribing them.”

Non-Drug Immune Boosters:

1. Vitamin C. Vitamin C’s role in preventing and treating infectious disease is well-established.

2. Garlic. Garlic is a powerful antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal. It can stimulate your immune system, help wounds hea, and kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria (including MRSA and multi-drug resistant tuberculosis), plus it has shown more than 100 other health-promoting properties. For highest potency, the garlic should be eaten fresh and raw (chopped or smashed.)

3. Colloidal Silver. Colloidal silver has been regarded as an effective natural antibiotic for centuries, and research shows that it can even be helpful against some antibiotic-resistant pathogens. If you are interested in this treatment, make sure you review the guidelines for safe usage, as there are risks with using colloidal silver improperly.

4. Olive leaf extract. In vitro studies show olive leaf extract is effective against Klebsiella, a gram-negative bacteria, inhibiting its replication, in addition to being toxic to other pathogenic microbes.

5. Manuka honey. Manuka honey, made from the flowers and pollen of the Manuka bush, has been shown to be more effective than antibiotics in the treatment of serious, hard-to-heal skin infections when used topically. Clinical trials have found Manuka honey can effectively eradicate more than 250 clinical strains of bacteria, including resistant varieties such as MRSA. Raw local honey is also very beneficial.

6. Tea tree oil. Tea tree oil, which is used topically, is a natural antiseptic proven to kill many bacterial strains (including MRSA).

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