Antibiotic-Resistant Superbugs

Antibiotics are a cornerstone of western medicine. But due to overuse on people and as a standard application to livestock, bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant to these drugs. As a result, even a minor or “simple” infection can become lethal.

A recent example that drives home this point is New York Giants player Daniel Fells, whose foot may have to be amputated due to an antibiotic-resistant MRSA infection after a cortisone shot. There was no open would, just an injection!

Most MRSA Infections Are Acquired in Hospital Settings:

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 75,000 cases of life-threatening MRSA infections were reported in 2012. The vast majority of them, nearly 60,000, were acquired in health care settings.

As noted by Scientific American:

“Researchers estimate that antibiotic resistance causes Americans upwards of $20 billion in additional healthcare costs every year stemming from the treatment of otherwise preventable infections.”

One in 25 Patients Contract a Hospital-Acquired Infection:

In the CDC’s 2013 report “Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States,” no less than 18 superbugs were identified as “urgent, serious, and concerning threats” to humankind.

Most disturbing of all, some forms are now exhibiting “panresistance”, which means that these strains are resistant to every antibiotic in existence. One of the latest multi-drug resistant bacteria that is gaining ground is Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), which produces an enzyme that actually can break down antibiotics.

According to the most recent CDC data, hospital-acquired infections now affect 1 in 25 patients. In 2011, an estimated 722,000 patients contracted an infection during a stay in an acute care hospital in the US, and about 75,000 of them died as a result of it.

Agriculture Is a Primary Driver of Antibiotic Resistance:

The US uses nearly 30 million pounds of antibiotics each year to raise animals for food. This accounts for about 80% of all antibiotics used in the US.

The impending superbug crisis has solutions:

1. Improved infection prevention, with a focus on strengthening your immune system naturally. Avoiding sugars, processed foods and grains, optimizing stress reduction, sleep, and vitamin D levels are foundational for this. Adding in traditionally fermented and cultured foods is equally important, as this will help optimize your microflora.

2. More responsible use of antibiotics in human medicine.

3. Limiting use of antibiotics in livestock animals, along with a return to biodynamic farming and a complete overhaul of our food system

4. Innovative new approaches to the treatment of infections from all branches of science, natural as well as allopathic. Fortunately, Mother Nature gives us a cornucopia of botanicals with inherent antibiotic activity that does not promote resistance like antibiotic drugs do.

5. Properly wash your hands with warm water and plain soap, to prevent the spread of bacteria.

6. Take common-sense precautions in the kitchen to prevent cross contamination.

7. Purchase antibiotic-free meats.

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