We live in a culture reliant on medical interventions as a way to be healthy, one of the most common being antibiotics. Many people are falsely under the impression that antibiotics are necessary when signs of illness occur. Symptoms such as fever, chills and fatigue usually result in a visit to the doctor to receive a prescription, which the doctor writes without hesitation. With prescriptions for antibiotics being handed out so freely their can’t be much risk. Or is there? This article will discuss how recent research is showing that antibiotic drugs aren’t as safe and effective as the majority of people are led to believe.
How The Immune System Functions
The main function of the immune system is to protect the host from chemicals and microbes and preserve the integrity of the body. There are many factors that can weaken the immune system such as stress, chemicals and emotions causing pathogens the opportunity to flourish. As a result immune system mechanisms illicit symptoms associated with colds and flues, for example sneezing, body aches, fevers and runny nose. These symptoms are actually a good sign that the body is working appropriately to facilitate the natural healing response. The immune system adapts its response during infections to improve its recognition of the pathogen. This response is retained even long after the pathogen has been destroyed, storing this information in the immunological memory, which allows the system to attack stronger each time this pathogen is discovered in the body. Should the system detect these the pathogen in the system again these specific memory cells work to eliminate it.
How Antibiotics Work
When symptoms of illness are present many people depend on antibiotic prescriptions to save the day. Without them, how on earth would the body know how to heal itself? Unfortunately, when antibiotics are taken the immune system is suppressed and the natural immune response symptoms disappear causing the patient to appear to be healed, when in reality only the symptoms have been eliminated leaving behind the harmful infection. The gross misuse of antibiotics has become apparent and bringing with it many dangerous and life threatening consequences. A mandate in 2003 required all doctors to culture microbes and perform susceptibility testing prior to prescribing antibiotics. A decade later almost all physicians still fail to follow this mandate meaning that the majority of antibiotic prescriptions are useless. How useless? Studies show that 50% of antibiotic prescriptions are unnecessary with some studies estimates as high as 70-90% in children.
Miracle Drug or Medical Menace?
With antibiotics being given out so freely the general public believes that the drugs are safe and the medicine carries with it little risks. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Along with suppressing the immune system antibiotics kill off the good bacteria within the body for up to 12 months or more. This leaves the patient in a germ-free state and making them susceptible to many other diseases and conditions. Antibiotics create the perfect bodily environment for many diseases and cancers to thrive. These wide range of diseases include acne, asthma and colitis while excessive use of antibiotics have been associated with colon, prostate and breast cancer. Some research shows that the gut flora doesn’t completely restore itself even after 3 years, proving that flora is permanently altered and can lead to lifelong impairment. The development of fungal candida infection occurs 4-52 hours after taking even just one antibiotic pill. The pills cause inflammation in the system promoting ongoing candida growth, which is associated with over 100 conditions and diseases. A recent study out of Harvard shows that repeated use of clinical antibiotics causes oxidative stress that can cause damage in DNA, proteins and lipids in cells. These antibiotic induced changes increase the risk for lung cancer, obesity, cardiovascular death and many other conditions.
Many people are unaware that sudden death is ALWAYS a risk to taking antibiotics because very few doctors discuss the risks with their patients leaving them with the false misconception that the antibiotics are safe. This gross misuse of antibiotics is causing life-long diseases especially in children by weakening immune systems and making patients more susceptible to far worse conditions than a cold. Continuous use of antibiotics exposes EVERYONE to increased levels of infection from pathogens that are resistant to antibiotics as microbes have the ability to adapt and create antibiotic resistant strains of diseases. This poses a catastrophic threat to society and can result in vicious, untreatable diseases.
Natural Cold And Flu Alternatives
There are much better alternatives to fighting the cold and flu than taking antibiotics. Even over-the-counter medicines only mask the symptoms without providing any benefit to the body. Living a preventative lifestyle of maintaining healthy diet, regular exercise regimen and adequate sleep builds a strong immune system and is important in staying healthy. Taking natural preventative measures helps to keep the immune system strong and healthy and is a much safer and more effective method than relying on dangerous antibiotics.
3 ways to naturally boost your immune system
1. Homemade bone broth, lots of rest and vitamins and supplements helps the body to fight the infection naturally. Store bought bone broth does not contain the minerals and nutrients that homemade broth contains. Homemade bone broth is simple to make and easy to freeze to have on hand when the body is run down.
2. Homeopathic medicines and combinations of food and herbs can do wonders for helping to heal and relieve discomforts without harming the body. Therapeutic grade essential oils such as Oregano, Basil, Melaleuca Alternafolia, Cinnamon, Clove, Thieves and Purification are examples of single oils and blends to help support a strong immune system. Learn where to buy Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils here.
3. Probiotics are also essential in helping the body to heal if you have taken antibiotics in the past. Probiotics help to restore the good bacteria back into the digestive track and can be taken by supplement form or by consuming fermented foods. Yogurt, Kefir, Kombucha and Sauerkraut are all examples of true fermented foods that can be safely made at home. Probiotics help to support digestive and urinary health, women’s health and reducing allergies.
What are your experiences with antibiotics vs. natural alternatives to dealing with colds and flus? I would love to hear your stories!
