Bacteria Resistant to All Available Antibiotics Has Claimed Its First Victim

The doomsday predictions about antibiotic resistant superbugs sound like the plot of a science fiction movie. The bacteria are coming! Who will save us when we don’t have any options left?

Conventional medicine has allowed us to put much of the onus of taking care of ourselves on someone or something else. Why take care of yourself and build your immune system naturally (it’s hard work!) when an antibiotic can knock an infection out with a snap of the fingers? The same principle has been applied to our food supply. Rather than raise animals in humane environments on a diet designed to keep them healthy (also hard work), our food system chooses the easy route and pumps cows, pigs, and sheep full of unnecessary antibiotics.

Now a Nevada woman has died. Her death from an antibiotic-resistant superbug, the bacteria New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM), is not notable on the surface. As of 2014, an estimated 23,000 people in the U.S. have died from bacteria like these, according to the CDC. The patient in question was a lady of 70, who had been in and out of hospitals for a two-year period in India with the last stay being in summer 2016. Not an unusual story, in and of itself. But here’s the worrying part. The CDC has determined that the NDM that the woman was infected with was untreatable by all available antimicrobial drugs in the U.S.

The Last Resort…Has Failed

There are a few antimicrobial drugs of last resort. One of them is colistin, a powerful antimicrobial not regularly used due to its damaging effect on the kidneys. While select bacteria that contain the mcr-1 (mechanism of colistin resistance 1) gene are immune to another drug, colistin functioned as a cleaner of sorts for anything else. That worked because the bacteria were not exchanging the gene. That is no longer the case. Bacteria are now exchanging the mcr-1 gene, and cases, where colistin is ineffective, began showing up in the U.S. in summer 2016. If that wasn’t enough to cause a deep and profound uneasiness, the NDM bacteria resistant to all available antibiotics didn’t even have the mcr-1 gene. This bacteria didn’t even need the gene we’ve identified as the one resistant to powerful antibiotics.

The Tipping Point

Is this the point where we find that we can’t go back? Is worldwide health going to spiral out of control, chased by ever stronger and more evolved bacteria? Indigenous tribes of foragers give us a glance at what the first line of defense, our intestinal flora, used to be. In a comparison of the microbiome of a small group of Italians and a group of Hadza foragers from Tanzania, the Hadza’s lack of exposure to antibiotics and highly seasonal, largely plant-based,  diet resulted in a much greater and more diverse microbiome. Maybe they wouldn’t be able to fend off one of the new superbugs, but they likely would not have developed them in the first place. How do we get those microbes back? Can we get those microbes back? No one seems to have a good answer for that, but it’s clear that antibiotic resistant bacteria keep putting their star players in the game while the Western diet keeps yanking any and everybody out.

Eat Your Veggies

There is magic in a well maintained digestive system. Get your fiber may be a funny old people joke…until you haven’t pooped in a few days. A diet lacking in raw, organic plant matter is never going to provide the tools needed to move things through the digestive system, which gives harmful bacteria a greater chance to develop and take over. The Western diet in its current form provides them with the food they need to thrive. If the digestive system is compromised, bacteria takes advantage of that. In that system, antibiotics will be the answer at some point, making it that much harder to cultivate the natural defenses the immune system needs.

Antibiotic-resistant bugs are not only the health industry’s fault. Factory farms cannot be assigned all of the blame either. The decline of our natural bacteria and immunities has created the perfect hosts for the bacteria strong and adaptable enough to survive modern medicine and an increasingly unhealthy way of eating.

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Antibiotic Side Effects Are Contagious – C. Diff Infections Are On the Rise

The gut microbiome is getting some recognition lately. Scientists are finding increasing evidence that the delicate balance of the gut is responsible for making and keeping us healthy. The focus of the microbiome has turned attention to antibiotics and the damage we are doing by overusing them. Antibiotics disrupt the natural balance of the gut, destroying beneficial bacteria and allowing pathogens to thrive unchecked. If you’re not using prescription antibiotics there are plenty of other sources you’re likely getting it from.

A microbiota is “the ecological community of commensal, symbiotic and pathogenic microorganisms that literally share our body space”- Wikipedia

The Nitty-Gritty

…a recent study found that occupying the same hospital room as someone who has been given antibiotics increases your likelihood of developing a bacterial infection…

C. diff is a bacteria that inflames the colon and is spread by spores from person to person. C. diff exists throughout organic environments (water, air, human and animal waste, earth, and food products) and for some people, the bacteria can exist in the intestine without ever making its host sick. When it does cause an infection, symptoms range from watery diarrhea and mild cramping to more severe cramping and diarrhea, kidney failure, fever, and dehydration. Potentially deadly,  C. diff is especially common in hospital settings due to the widespread use of antibiotics. Much like Candida, C. diff thrives when antibiotics wipe the good bacteria from the intestine, leaving it unable to fight off the infection. C. diff is also quite hardy, and the spores that spread it can survive outside of the body for up to 90 days.

With the Rise of Antibiotics Comes the Rise of Everyday Infections

Overprescribed to humans and animals, antibiotics have invaded our lives in multiple ways, forcing crafty bacteria, fungi, and viruses to adapt. The recommended conventional treatment for C. diff is antibiotics, which seems crazy, as antibiotics created the ideal environment for C. diff to thrive.

Rates of C. diff infections are rising in and out of hospitals and in populations not traditionally susceptible to it, like children or people without a history of antibiotic use. So why is it spreading to these populations? The reason behind the increase of C. diff infections in children can be explained by the increasing amounts of antibiotics they’re exposed to both internally and environmentally.

Even if you aren’t using antibiotics yourself, a recent study found that occupying the same hospital room as someone who has been given antibiotics increases your likelihood of developing a bacterial infection like Clostridium difficile colitis (or C. diff).

The world seems determined to impact our health through antibiotics in one way or another. The idea that someone taking antibiotics in the same room as you is enough to increase your chance of a bacterial infection is scary. Also scary; the question why does it affect you. If antibiotics have the potential to do that much damage to our vital and not even fully understood microflora, what have we been doing to ourselves and when is the bottom going to fall out of this whole thing?

Taking a Step Back

So let’s take a step back from antibiotics. If you’re reading this, on this website, you’ve probably started choosing the meat you eat very carefully, if you even eat meat at all. A diet consisting of fresh, raw, organic produce (big, beautiful salads with over twenty veggies in them) gives your body and immune system the nutrition it needs, and exercise also plays a part. In the event a bacterial or fungal infection occurs, paying attention to your body and catching it early gives you the chance to take care of yourself.

Of course, that isn’t everything, and sometimes we eat something we shouldn’t or there’s a particularly nasty little bug hanging around. Supplements like Oil of Oregano, Coptis Chinesis, or a good Detox can provide relief. Antibiotics are not your first answer.  Antibiotics were designed as a medicine of last resort, so make them that.

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Study Finds Doctors Overuse Antibiotics for Acne Treatment

Acne or acne vulgaris is a long-term skin disease that occurs when hair follicles become clogged by dead skin cells and oil. Acne is the common cause for spots and it usually affects the face but sometimes may also affect the back, neck, and chest. Characterized by blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, and greasy skin; the resulting appearance can lead to anxiety, reduced self-esteem, and in extreme cases, depression.

Causes of Acne

Acne usually occurs when oil glands attached to the hair follicles are stimulated during puberty due to hormonal changes. However, there are cases when acne is stimulated by the following factors:

  • Hormones: Adult hormonal activity also contributes to the formation of acne. Acne developed between the age of 21 and 25, though uncommon,  is usually linked to follicular glands that grow larger and make more sebum.
  • Genetics: Genetic components play an important role in acne formation. It is believed that there are multiple candidates for genes related to acne.
  • Diet: The relationship between diet and acne is unclear, but high-glycemic-load diets have been found to have an effect on its severity.
  • Smoking: Smoking increases the risk of developing acne and it worsens it if the person increases the number of cigarettes per day.
  • Psychological: A few high-quality studies have demonstrated that stress causes and worsens acne.

Acne Treatment

As per recent research done by NYU Langione Medical Center, physicians who treat acne prescribe ineffective antibiotics and leave patients on the medication for too long. According to Seth Orlow, the study’s senior investigator, physicians need to recognize within weeks, not months, the need to change medications in cases of severe acne.  The study mainly focuses on the overuse of antibiotics in cases of acne. As per the published findings, doctors kept patients on antibiotics for an average 11 months before switching to isotretinoin (former brand name Acutance), a stronger treatment.  As per Orlow, the doctors should limit the use of antibiotics to a maximum two to three months each, or a cumulative total of no more than six months, and then only if significant improvements are seen.

Complacent About Overuse of Antibiotics

As per the research, the doctors and patients have become complacent to antibiotic overuse and the subsequent danger of microbial drug resistance. The main reason for late prescription of isotretinoin is the side effect linked with the medicine. Sold with a federal restriction, the side effect includes the risk of birth defects and some potential threats like causing depression.  It is also recommended to use isotretinoin only when acne therapy has failed.

Nevertheless, the federal restriction is designed to work as a protocol to prevent and carefully manage the risk related with isotretinoin. It does not mean that patients suffering with severe acne must be left on prolonged use of antibiotics, even when they are not helping. It is important to find a better balance between trying antibiotics that may work and getting isotretinoin quickly to patients for whom antibiotics are not working.

Finding balance will not only help to decrease the number of  cases of acne found in young people, quick healing will help boost their confidence.

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Serotonin, What You Need to Know About the Body’s Key to Health and Happiness

We all know that sunny days, sweet treats, warm bread, and the scent of vanilla make most of us feel better when we’ve got a case of the blues, but the reason why is not common knowledge. The answer lies deep in our nervous systems and the intricate communication between nerve cells. Neurotransmitters, chemical messengers that catalyze a myriad of metabolic functions, also affect our moods and behaviors. Some calm the body, promote digestion, and support good immunity while others are involved in keeping memory sharp, triggering the fight or flight stress response, and filling us with feelings of euphoria when we are in love or engaging in daredevil behavior. There are many neurotransmitters, but the body’s heavy hitters are serotonin, dopamine, acetylcholine, norepinephrine, and GABA. All of these are essential to life and well-being and work with each other toward the body’s homeostasis or state of equilibrium.

Poor diet, unrelenting stress, too much coffee or sugar, not enough physical activity, inadequate rest, and predisposed genetic deficiency all contribute to neurotransmitter dysfunction, especially that of serotonin. Inadequate or too much serotonin—as well as impairment of how the body utilizes it—has numerous consequences that can be the underlying factor in depression, anxiety disorders, obesity, Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.), premenstrual syndrome (PMS), Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), osteoporosis, chronic insomnia, low energy, compromised immunity, even diseases of the cardiovascular system.

Serotonin disruption can also play a vital role in the insidious development of addiction, eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia, obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD), body dysmorphia, and other neuropsychological conditions. In short, proper serotonin levels play a central role in our quality of life, and we do not usually consider it until we are in the grips of its shadow side. If the problem is not addressed early, more and more unpleasant symptoms and syndromes may manifest down the road, consequently affecting other neurochemicals and body systems.

Serotonin is produced in the brain, but ninety-five percent of this neurotransmitter is made and used in the digestive tract along with twenty-nine other neurotransmitters. The human gut is often referred to as our “second brain”, but medically, it is called the enteric nervous system. No wonder our emotions are so often accompanied by physical responses! What is even more profound is the fact that good intestinal flora is essential for adequate serotonin.

Pharmaceutical antibiotics are prescribed in near-reckless proportions, and judging by the fact that it takes up to one year to restore beneficial gut flora after a single round of antibiotic use, it is not surprising that serotonin-related conditions and syndromes both physical and “emotional” are increasing at staggering rates. It is not uncommon for a person who has gone through rounds of antibiotics over a certain period of time to become clinically depressed, but the connection is rarely recognized.

On the other side of the coin, too much serotonin can also be a problem and contribute to digestive woes including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It can also be a contributing factor in osteoporosis and certain types of heart disease. Since serotonin is usually known to be a calming chemical in the body, it is surprising to learn that too much of it can cause certain types of depression and extreme anxiety.

Excessive serotonin leads to depletion of many other neurotransmitters, especially dopamine, acetylcholine, and norepinephrine. On the emotional front, too much of this neurotransmitter can make one incredibly fearful of criticism, easily yielding to anger, feelings of inadequacy, and sadness. Prolonged lack of sleep can also contribute to serotonin excess, which would explain why most people “lose it” emotionally after a period of inadequate rest. Social interaction becomes difficult, though the individual desires it.

Too much serotonin can result by taking pharmaceutical antidepressants in conjunction with each other or combined with natural serotonin-affecting supplements, herbs, or even foods that stimulate serotonin. A medical condition called Serotonin Syndrome is also possible as a side effect of antidepressants, and can be a very dangerous thing. Physical symptoms can include trembling, sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and seizures. In many cases, ginger is given to the person afflicted to counteract the excessive serotonin in the system.

It is a balancing act for many of us to bring this neurochemical into balance. Putting these pieces together, one cannot help but come to the conclusion that supporting and harmonizing the body’s serotonin supply can be an integral piece in achieving better health. Vitamins, herbs, clinical aromatherapy, gentle exercise, Swedish massage, cranial-sacral therapy, meditation, and finding alternatives for prescribed antibiotics can all be mediators in our sometimes-rocky relationship with serotonin and other vital neurotransmitters. The following is a list of modalities, supplements, and tools to better nourish the production and utilization of this precious, life-enhancing neurochemical. Note: if you are taking prescribed antidepressant medication, please consult your doctor before taking any of the following:

Vitamins, Supplements, and Herbs

B6. This B vitamin is essential for nerve health and enzyme production, which are both critical for regulating mood and nourishing and balancing hormone levels, especially that of the female reproductive system. All B vitamins are important for neurotransmitter production and balance, but B6 is essential for serotonin.

Inositol. Inositol, a B vitamin component much like what bioflavonoids are to vitamin C, is a powerful yet gentle supplement for the entire nervous system, including the brain. There are few, if any, side effects with regular to high doses. Inositol can be extremely helpful in the withdrawal of drugs and alcohol, which is especially useful for repairing an overwrought nervous system. Inositol is a reliable supplement for serotonin deficiency and may be extremely helpful for anxiety, panic attacks, trembling, insomnia, chronic pain syndromes, and nervousness that is especially worse in the morning hours and during the hormonal shifts of menstruation and ovulation.

5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan). Derived from the grafonia seed, 5-HTP is a natural amino acid involved in the conversion of tryptophan to serotonin and melatonin. In Europe, 5-HTP is sold by prescription under numerous trade names to treat major depression. Here, in the United States, 5-HTP is sold as a supplement, the most reliable being the enteric coated variety that is not destroyed by stomach acid on its way to the small intestine where it is utilized. 5-HTP is extremely helpful for PMS, general anxiety, irritability, mild-moderate insomnia, certain pain syndromes, and food cravings (carbs and sugar).

Damiana. Damiana, native to Mexico, is an aromatic herb mainly used for sexual dysfunction, but its value goes way beyond the reproductive system. Damiana increases neurotransmitter production including serotonin and dopamine and is reliable in reducing pain, easing anxiety, soothing digestive troubles, and increasing pleasure.

Ginger root. Ginger is an ancient as well as modern remedy for a plethora of ailments and a powerful player in neurotransmitter production. In cases of too much serotonin in the body, ginger is reliable in lowering it. In some people, ginger helps decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety. Individual chemistry is key, but this herb is definitely one to consider.

Kava Kava Root. Kava kava root is a centuries-old Polynesian herb used in ceremonial drinks as well as a libation in social situations. It is a powerful sedative that not only affects serotonin but other key players in the nervous system. It is reliable for panic attacks, trouble sleeping, and digestive distress related to “nerves.”

Lavender Flowers. Commonly grown for cosmetic and culinary use, lavender flowers can also be made into a tea that will naturally nourish the nervous system, namely serotonin production and utilization. Smaller quantities are recommended for calming the body, as larger doses prove to be stimulating.

Lemon Balm. A common garden herb, lemon balm (also called melissa) is a gentle but reliable remedy to boost serotonin levels in the body. It is highly useful for digestive upsets, insomnia, nervousness, and depressive states.

Olive Leaf. Olive leaf is a wonderful alternative to pharmaceutical antibiotics. It is the strongest antibiotic and antiviral in the plant world and is a powerful warrior against everything from malaria to viruses, the common cold to food poisoning. It is excellent for all bacterial and viral conditions as well as building good microbes in the gut, which is essential for healthy levels of serotonin.

St. John’s Wort. St. John’s wort is an age-old herbal remedy for melancholy, depression, and nervousness. It is valuable in the production of not only serotonin but other neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine.

Foods

Foods that stimulate serotonin production include chocolate, avocado, chicken, turkey and most protein sources, flaxseed, sunflower seeds, sugar and all carbohydrates, wheat germ, and dairy such as cheese and cottage cheese.

Clinical Aromatherapy/Essential Oils

Bergamot Essential Oil. Bergamot essential oil boosts serotonin and is highly useful for depression and lowered immunity. Add a drop or two to a tissue and inhale for 5-minute intervals throughout the day.

Cacao Essential Oil. Essentially chocolate essential oil, cacao stimulates both serotonin and dopamine production and is a good oil to use to curb sugar cravings, ease despondency, and increase feelings of enjoyment and pleasure. It is especially beneficial for premenstrual-related food cravings and sadness. Add a drop or two to a tissue and inhale for 5 minute intervals throughout the day.

Frankincense Essential Oil. Frankincense essential oil is a wonderful ally for all forms of anxiety and is a key oil in aromatherapy for brain and nervous system health. Frankincense helps the body make and utilize serotonin and dopamine. Add a drop or two to a tissue and inhale for 5-minute intervals throughout the day. Frankincense essential oil can also be applied to the soles of the feet for quick absorption and results. Application: apply 3 drops of the essential oil to each sole of the foot 1-2x a day. Allow to absorb before putting on socks and do not shower for a few hours after application.

Ginger Essential Oil. Ginger essential oil can be applied undiluted to the soles of the feet for quick absorption in cases of excessive serotonin. Ginger is an antagonist to the neurotransmitter and can relieve severe anxiety, digestive distress, and other symptoms springing from too much serotonin in the body due to various factors. Application: apply 3 drops of the essential oil to each sole of the foot 1-2 x a day. Allow to absorb before putting on socks, and do not shower for a few hours after application.

Lavender Essential Oil. Lavender essential oil, long associated with calm feelings, is the CEO of essential oils that stimulates serotonin production in the body. It can be used to boost immunity, improve mood, promote sleep, quell general anxiety, and even prevent anxiety from escalating to panic. Add a drop or two to a tissue and inhale for 5-minute intervals throughout the day. Lavender essential oil can also be applied to the soles of the feet for quick absorption and results. Application: apply 3 drops of the essential oil to each sole of the foot 1-2x a day. Allow to absorb before putting on socks and do not shower for a few hours after application.

Neroli Essential Oil. Neroli essential oil reduces stress hormones in the body and is known to increase serotonin. It is almost unequaled in stopping trembling, anxiety, and nervous agitation. It is also used to decrease symptoms of depression and calm an overexcited state. Add a drop or two to a tissue and inhale for 5-minute intervals throughout the day.

Roman Chamomile Essential Oil. Roman chamomile is a wonderful ally for a stressed nervous system and can be inhaled to calm emotions and accompanying, unpleasant physical responses. It brightens the mood and outlook, soothes digestive storms, and promotes a feeling of wellbeing and hope. Add a drop or two to a tissue and inhale for 5-minute intervals throughout the day.

Sandalwood Essential Oil. Much like frankincense, sandalwood is a deeply nourishing oil for the entire nervous system. Add a drop or two to a tissue and inhale for 5-minute intervals throughout the day. Sandalwood essential oil can also be applied to the soles of the feet for quick absorption and results. Application: apply 3 drops of the essential oil to each sole of the foot 1-2 x a day. Allow to absorb before putting on socks and do not shower for a few hours after application.

Sweet Orange Essential Oil. Sweet orange oil is highly useful for decreasing obsessive thoughts and/or behaviors, calming the body, and promoting serotonin and other neurotransmitters. It also quells anxiety, chronic worry, and feelings of dread. Sweet orange oil also elevates the mood and combats depression. Add a drop or two to a tissue and inhale for 5-minute intervals throughout the day.

Ylang Ylang Essential Oil. Ylang ylang essential oil unsurpassed for calming excitatory neurotransmitters and kicking in calming neurochemicals like serotonin. It also regulates adrenaline in the body. Add a drop to a tissue and inhale for 5-minute intervals throughout the day, but no more than 2-3 times or a headache may result. Ylang ylang essential oil can also be applied to the soles of the feet for quick absorption and results. Application: apply 3 drops of the essential oil to each sole of the foot 1-2 x a day. Allow to absorb before putting on socks and do not shower for a few hours after application.

Lifestyle Changes

One can do everything right to have better nervous system health, but without positive, serotonin-friendly lifestyle changes, the body and mind will always fall short of reaching homeostasis. In the quest for serotonin balance, don’t forget to:

Get more rest. 8 or more hours of sleep a night and periods of non-doing during the day are critical in normalizing neurotransmitters and boosting immunity. Non-doing means designating 5-minute intervals to one-hour timeslots to doing nothing but lying back and zoning out without guilt. Insomniacs might find it surprising that non-doing during the day promotes better sleep at night.

Unplug. from the computer, cell phone, iPad, radio, etc. Electronic screens and noise all negatively affect the brain and its chemical activity. Using devices non-stop contributes to neurotransmitter disruption.

Get out into nature. It is proven that being outside, especially in sunlight, or looking out a window onto greenery instantly boosts neurotransmitters. When you are outside, breathe deeply, notice the beauty around you, and take in the soothing sounds of birds, water, or wind.

Do more gentle exercises. Working out in the gym, running for miles, or taking high-energy exercise classes boost stimulating neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine, but our friend serotonin needs yoga, creative movement, ballet, tai chi, qigong, and deep breath work to be utilized in the body.

Receive more massage and bodywork. Swedish massage is known to boost serotonin and other calming chemicals in the body by triggering the autonomic (fight or flight) nervous system to yield to the parasympathetic (rest and digest mode). If you want to stimulate serotonin, avoid deep tissue work or more aggressive modalities. Opt for flowing, gentle massage, preferably set to beautiful music.

Listen to calming music and nature sounds. Ditch the driving percussion of rock music once in a while for more calming music. Even better, listen to real or recorded nature sounds including birdsong, ocean waves, crickets, gentle wind, or streams.

Whatever way you choose to boost serotonin and other calming neurotransmitters, nature will work with your unique chemistry, and it won’t take long for you to know what works best for your body and psyche. Happiness and wellbeing are indeed rooted in the physical; the more harmonious we are on this level, the more harmonious on every other level, even in the face of adversity and stress. With serotonin on our side, come what may- we can be ready!

For more about neurotransmitters, nervous system health, and clinical aromatherapy, see my new release, Multidimensional Aromatherapy: Clinical, Practical, and Vibrational Applications.

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DISCLAIMER

The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, and the material presented in this article is not intended to treat, prescribe for, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease or to replace conventional medical treatments.

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How to Detoxify From Antibiotics and Other Chemical Antimicrobials

Antibiotics and other antimicrobials are everywhere. Even if you are trying to avoid them, they are found in the majority of conventional meats, in our tap water, and in soaps, mouthwash, and toothpaste. It is difficult to avoid exposure, but the effort is a worthwhile endeavor.

Antibiotics Used in Meat Operations

It is estimated that more than 70% of antibiotics sold in the U.S. are used by agricultural operations. These antibiotics are rarely used on sick animals; they are routinely used in livestock’s feed and water as a preventative measure. This practice allows overcrowding and unsanitary conditions to remain profitable for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations or CAFOs. Antibiotics are used in such high amounts that antibiotic residues can remain in the meat. Conventional meats are tested for “acceptable levels”.

Contaminated Tap Water

Antibiotics, other medications, and antibacterial soaps eventually find their way into our tap water. When our bodies eliminate waste, medications like antibiotics are flushed down the drain as well. Many contaminants such as solid waste are removed from the water in water treatment facilities, but these facilities do not remove medications from the water. Eventually the water is recycled back into the water supply. The amount of pharmaceuticals found in tap water is extremely low, but this still equates to exposure, and many suspect that this contamination could create new antibiotic resistant bacteria.

What Makes Antibacterial Soaps Antibacterial

Some of the most common antimicrobials added to antibacterial soaps are triclosan and triclocarban. These chemicals originally used in hospital settings are now found in all kinds of products. There is a growing concern that these chemicals create antibiotic resistant bacteria, but there are other problems associated with triclosan.

Triclosan acts as an endocrine disruptor in animal studies; it interferes with thyroid hormones. If it works in a similar fashion in humans, this could lead to serious health problems such as obesity, infertility, and even cancer.

Unfortunately these are not all of the problems associated with triclosan. Another study found triclosan interferes with muscle contractions in animals and in human muscle cells. This is of particular concern because the chemical penetrates the skin and enters the bloodstream more easily than originally thought. A 2008 study done by the CDC detected triclosan in the urine of 75% of the people tested. Antibacterial soaps are the kinds of soaps most commonly found in public restrooms, but triclosan is also found in toothpaste, mouthwash, and even yoga mats.

Heal Your Gut

After taking antibiotics or being exposed to antimicrobials you should take steps to restore healthy bacteria in your gut. Healthy bacteria is crucial to maintaining the balance between bacteria and fungi in our gut. Candida commonly mass produces after healthy bacteria have been killed off. A diet high in prebiotics and probiotics with foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, homemade unsweetened yogurt, and homemade unsweetened kefir can be helpful for restoring healthy bacteria (though bear in mind our stomach acid is designed to kill bacteria, including that found in probiotics). Even more importantly, a diet high in raw produce, more vegetables than fruits, is essential for restoring healthy intestinal flora. See the first source below for more on the proper diet. The way to detoxify from everything in this toxic world starts with a healthy diet that primarily consists of raw, fresh, organic produce.

Beneficial bacteria serve many crucial functions. So far, we have identified more than 1,000 different species of beneficial bacteria in our bodies. They help us digest our food and to create and synthesize vitamins. Beneficial microbes help to fight off invading pathogens, to synthesize neurotransmitters, and more. The healthier the food we eat, the healthier and more beneficial the bacteria inside of us.

Conclusion

Antibiotics and antimicrobials like triclosan are indiscriminate killers. They kill beneficial bacteria as well as harmful bacteria. Avoid exposure to these substances whenever possible. If you’ve recently taken prescription antibiotics, check out After Taking Antibiotics… for more information, with specific protocols and supplement recommendations. Also, be sure to see the One Gallon Challenge for an easy all around detox plan.

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In Response to Consumer Demand, Costco Stops Selling Antibiotic Laden Chicken

Costco has decided to phase out the sale of chickens that have been treated with shared-use antibiotics. This is a big win in a few ways. First, the low levels of antibiotics meant for human use that find their way into the raising of conventional meat make the antibiotics less effective, as they only succeed in killing the low-level bacteria and creating antibiotic resistant superbugs by allowing the stronger strains to survive. Second, consumers who are voting with their dollars for healthier meat that isn’t full of unnecessary hormones and antibiotics are being heard. This announcement from Costco comes on the heels of a similar announcement from McDonalds. McDonalds and Costco, the third largest retailer in the US, are deciding to go against traditionally accepted agricultural practices because of public pressure and demand, showing that informed consumers can and do make a difference.

Antibiotic Resistant Superbugs

Antibiotics began as a way for medicine to fight the most serious of infections. Now it feels like they’re used to treat anything and everything, from pneumonia to ear infections to acne. They’re also being used to continually dose factory farmed animals, which is giving virulent bacteria capable of surviving weaker antibiotics an opportunity to thrive. Costco’s decision to stop purchasing animals who have been dosed with human-use antibiotics will have a positive long term effect on the effectiveness of antibiotics and make immune systems stronger.

The best immunity you can have is a natural immunity. Fortifying your immune system through diet and exercise can keep you from getting sick, but our overuse of antibiotics is not helping. It’s like giving the bacteria a ten second head start in a race to see which organism wins. If you’re exposed to a low level strain of bacteria and beat the infection, it gives your immune system more protection against stronger version of that particular infection. Low level dosages of antibiotics kill the weak bacteria, combining with the sickening conditions of factory farming to create ideal condition for antibiotic resistant, transmittable to humans infections like E Coli, Salmonella, and Staph. Feeding antibiotics to factory farmed animals is not only unnecessary and unhealthy, it’s dangerous. The groups receiving long-term benefits from this practice are big agricultural companies and big pharmaceutical companies. When major retailers like Costco and McDonalds choose to stop purchasing those products, the lack of that business sends a powerful message.

Seeing Food Differently

People care about what’s in their food. From labeling GMOs to buying organic to finding local farmers they can trust, consumers are using their dollars to advocate for food transparency. Chipotle is famous for letting consumers know what’s in their food. They label local products and GMOs, offer organic ingredients, and use responsibly raised meat without added hormones and sub-therapeutic antibiotics. Lobbyists for the meat industry like to claim that antibiotics save farmers money and therefore save consumers money. When Chipotle chose to purchase meat from responsibly raised animals, they had to increase prices. Rather than cause an outrage, their sales doubled.

The food landscape is changing. People now think before they eat, and cheap, fast, unhealthy food is on the decline. McDonald’s recent sales reports showed that earnings were down 1.7% worldwide and down by 4% in the United States. In light of that, it’s not hard to see their decision to phase out chickens treated with shared-use antibiotics is a desperate grab for an informed public who is no longer willing to accept their chemical-laden excuse for food. Costco cited human health as their primary reason for beginning to phase out meat treated with human use antibiotics. Consumers are having an impact, and major retailers are listening and adjusting their actions. This momentum is huge.

Keep It Going

The best way to keep encouraging food transparency is to continue to ask for it and to pay for it. You can get involved in legislation that asks for labels, like those for labeling GMOs. Find out if your state has proposed any labeling laws recently and call your representative. The U.S. Senate recently introduced a bill (S.621) designed to minimize the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria while taking care of animals. Buy organic and local produce and meat whenever possible. Local farmer’s markets offer a great opportunity to speak with the farmers and get to know what they’re doing. Getting healthy and fixing your immune system can reduce the potential negative impact of irresponsibly raised meat on your health.

If you have been eating conventional chicken or other meats laced with antibiotics, it’s time to restore your intestinal flora.

For more on the detrimental impact of convention farming methods and how we can change the world with progressive farming, check out the first two sources below.

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Some Antibiotics May Blind, Cripple, or Kill You

Pharmaceutical drugs come with risks, risks most users choose to ignore. We block out the risks when we hear about a drug on television or the radio. We either skim over the words in print or ignore them altogether. Due to trust that the federal government will protect us and a belief that pharmaceutical companies have our best interest at heart, we play Russian roulette, believing we would never be so unlucky as to suffer a serious side-effect. After all, they are so rare!

We are all aware that antibiotics can cause allergic reactions, even fatal ones. It is not so common knowledge to find an antibiotic can cripple or kill in other ways.

Chris Dannelly was in the prime of his life at age 41. His physical (two months prior to his death) showed he was in excellent health. He was an athlete who stayed in shape. When he came down with the flu and pneumonia, he was prescribed levofloxacin (brand name Levaquin) an antibiotic manufactured by Johnson and Johnson, Jansen Pharmaceutical. This antibiotic was the best selling antibiotic in the United States in 2010.

Chris took two pills. Those two pills killed him.

Chris did not have an allergic reaction. He died an excruciatingly painful death from rhabdomyolysis, a syndrome caused by the death of muscle fibers and the release of myoglobin into the bloodstream. Death occurs due to toxic overload with resultant kidney failure, heart attack, liver damage, or compartment syndrome (which inhibits blood flow).

Chris died 48 hours after taking the second pill. The diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis was made through autopsy.

Death and Injury Caused by Levaquin

Rhabdomyolysis is not the only serious reaction patients have had to Levaquin. Many have experienced Achilles ruptures; severe on-going joint, muscle, or tendon pain; rupture of the retina; or neurological damage that may well be irreversible. Two other possible fatal outcomes are related to skin reactions: Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrosis (TEN). Stevens-Johnson syndrome results in blistering of the mucous membranes, while TEN causes widespread necrosis of the skin. It can literally fall off the body in sheets.

The circular for the drug includes a current stand statement for prescription drugs:

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

This statement is one that supports the mindset that these things happen to other people, not us. Seriously, would any of us risk our health with pharmaceuticals if we really paid attention to and understood the warnings? Not if we understood that foods, herbs, and natural supplements would cure that pneumonia, sinus infection, or strep throat. Not if we all understood that natural treatment strengthens the immune system and that over time through the use of natural remedies we would catch fewer infections and when we did, they would be less severe.

The Beneficial Risk Profile

Pharmaceutical companies are quick to talk about the benefit risk profile – the fact that a particular drug has helped so many people as opposed to how few it damaged or killed. And though this drug has 20,000 or more lawsuits filed against it, claims can be made that it has helped many more. (And yet, many other medicines with less risk could have been used instead.)

This is a very expensive medication. It makes a great deal of money for its company. It is one of the drugs in the class called fluoroquinolones. Another well-known drug in this class is Cipro.

Do you think Johnson and Johnson bases their risk-benefit calculations on anything other than profit compared to losses through lawsuits? If you do, you drank the Kool-Aid.

If you’ve recently taken antibiotics, this is what you need to do to restore healthy intestinal flora, and check out Make Your Immune System Bulletproof with These Natural Remedies for real immunity from bacterial infections and other pathogens. See Gluten, Candida, Leaky Gut Syndrome, and Autoimmune Diseases to learn more about the gut and how to repair antibiotic damage.

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