Antibiotics The Potential Danger

Should You Take The Antibiotic?

Most of us have found ourselves in the position wondering whether or not taking an antibiotic is the right solution. 

In today’s world these powerful drugs are dispensed at the whim of most doctors without looking at the potential detrimental side effects.  As a matter of fact, most doctors don’t even test to determine whether the infection to be treated is bacterial, viral, parasitic, or fungal.  Many of them simply assume that the infection is bacterial, even though multiple studies find that the most common infections are viral and fungal.

On top of that, many doctors prescribe antibiotics as a preventative in the absence of infection i.e. before dental work.  That being said, did you know…

• Properly prescribed antibiotics put at least 142,000 people in the ER every year.
• These visits include children and adults.
• Many of the adverse reactions are allergic responses
• Many experts believe that overexposure to these drugs contribute to the increase in gluten sensitivity we have seen in the last 50 years.
• The overuse of antibiotics has led to antibiotic resistant strains of infections that were once easy to treat.
• The widespread use of antibiotics on farm feedlots (about 25 million pounds per year) leak into waterways and make their way into our food supply, making resistance an even bigger problem.
• Antibiotic use destroys the natural bacterial flora in your gut.  This can contribute to leaky gut syndrome (AKA intestinal permeability)
• Antibiotic use can contribute to vitamin K and biotin (vitamin B8) deficiencies
• Incorrect use of these drugs increase the risk for secondary infections.

IF YOU ARE FACED WITH A DOCTOR PRESCRIBING ANTIBIOTICS CONSIDER THIS:

If you visit the doctor and he wants to prescribe antibiotics without performing a culture to determine the source of the infection, it may be time for a second opinion.  If you have been treated with antibiotics multiple times, and the infections continue to return, address the environmental components of why your immune system is not properly protecting you.  These components should include, but are not limited to the following -

• Heavy metal exposures (lead, mercury, cadmium, etc. these can cause immune suppression)
• Copper Toxicity
• Hidden food allergies
• Use of immune suppressing drugs (commonly – allergy medications, steroids, antacids, pain medications)
• Heavy use of sugar in the diet (sugar suppresses immune function and alters the nature of the bacteria living in your mouth).
• Poor nutritional status (vitamin and mineral deficiencies, excessive carb or inadequate protein intake)
• Gluten Sensitivity gluten can alter bacterial levels in the gut as well as tax the immune system to the point of inadequacy.
• Inadequate sleep.
• Inadequate sunshine exposure.
• Overwhelming stress.

NATURAL ALTERNATIVES TO SUPPORT A HEALTHY IMMUNE RESPONSE

There are a number of nutritional therapies that can be used in lieu of antibiotics.  Because nutrition is not taught in medical schools, many doctors completely ignore these factors (or dismiss them altogether as unimportant).  The use of the following nutritional supplements can help provide the immune system with the support it needs:

1. First, Always rest a lot more, preferably in bed

Stay home from work or school and give the body a chance to fight the infection.

2. Eat very lightly & drink more distilled OR spring water only or mild teas made with this water only

Do not drink fruit juices or other sweetened beverages.  Sugar makes many infections worse.  Eat very simply such as chicken soups, vegetables and perhaps a little chicken or eggs, but not a lot of grains, and no dairy and no red meat until you feel better.  More can complicate your recovery.  A little vegetable juice is excellent, such as carrot juice. 

When high fever is present, fasting on water, teas or dilute vegetable juices alone for a day or two only may be very helpful.  This is especially true if the infection affects your digestive tract.

Also, there is no reason to wait even a day to apply natural methods.  Simple measures can be surprisingly effective.

3. Colloidal Silver

This is one of the most effective and safest substitute for an antibiotic.  It works on a wide variety of organisms, including fungus, virus, many bacteria and some parasites as well. Use as directed.  

The usual dosage for an average-sized adult is between one teaspoon to one tablespoon three times daily.  Take it 20 minutes away from any food or drink, including water – both before and after taking it.  The dosage depends on the age and weight of the person and on the strength of the preparation of colloidal silver. 

We often prefer the lower dosage product, which seems to work as well as others, yet carries less possibility of toxicity or of damaging the ideal intestinal flora.  Brands of colloidal silver I like include Arabesque, Sovereign Silver and a few others.  

4. Bee Propolis

This is another excellent natural remedy with very low toxicity.  It is not quite as potent as the others, but is excellent support for any infection.  It comes in capsules, tablets or thick liquid that stains anything it touches.  Take at least three capsules or up to 9 tablets daily for an infection.

5. Vitamin A & C

Vitamin A (from fish oil, and not beta-carotene) is a little-known immune stimulant that often works extremely well and carries very low toxicity if taken for a short time, say a week or so.  The dosage for an adult is about 50,000 iu (international units) three times daily.  It may be taken with or without food or water.

Vitamin C in doses of up to 20 grams daily by mouth or even more intravenously for a few days can also do wonders to reduce infection.  Children need less.  If you take too much by mouth, the only side effect is diarrhea and in this case, just reduce the dosage.

If an infection is not responding to colloidal silver, bee propolis and vitamins A and C, it is time to check with a physician or use other methods described herein.

PHYSICAL METHODS CAN ALSO BE POWERFUL & SAFE:

6. Sauna Baths

Sauna therapy is very helpful for some infections caused by heat-sensitive microorganisms ranging from fungus and viral to parasitic.  It is also superb for acute sinus infections, for example, in many instances.  For acute infections, a number of short sauna sessions is often best, with each session no more than 10-20 minutes each.  One may take three or four sessions daily, preferably when most relaxed such as upon awakening and before bedtime. To read more about sauna therapy, click here. 

7. Coffee Enemas and/or Colon Cleansing

This may seem like an odd treatment for infections of all kinds, but they are quite effective in some cases.  They will also lower a fever in most cases.  Toxins in the intestines and constipation make the job of fighting infection much more difficult. 

Especially if an infection is severe, make sure the bowels move.  If not, clean them out with an enema or colonic irrigation.  Coffee stimulates bile release and adds to the effect of an enema.  One or two per day is excellent for treatment or prevention, for that matter.

8. Some, but not all Herbs

Other remedies can help with some infections.  Herbs such as garlic, echinacea, golden seal, and astragalus may also be helpful and are quite safe.  Another simple remedy that works well on some topical infections are packs or poultices made with ordinary clay or even mud.  This can be life-saving in an emergency situation.

Also, discontinue your regular food supplements in almost all cases.  The exceptions are the digestive aids if you are eating, and products with just vitamins A and C, which you might actually increase.

Other anti-microbials include grapefruit seed extract and oregano oil.  However, these are somewhat toxic in our experience, so I would avoid them as they are not needed.

To reduce fever, sponge the person with water or a mixture of water and alcohol.  Do not use aspirin or Tylenol, if possible, to reduce a fever.  Sponging allows the fever reaction to proceed in a healthful manner.   

It is also possible to place a person in a warm bath and slowly reduce the temperature by adding cool water.  This is quite safe for children, as well.  A coffee enema is also excellent  at times to reduce a fever.  Repeat these procedures several times daily, if needed, to keep the fever within a safe range such as 103-104 F.  It is not necessary to reduce a fever to normal.

Tylenol or aspirin slow the fever reaction and can prolong the illness.  They also introduces another toxic drug.  Bed rest is also very important when a high fever is present, along with drinking plenty of spring or distilled water!  Children who are sick should not be sent to school, of course!

These simple measures for infection are often forgotten in the belief that the 'wonder drugs' will take care of everything, and that rest is not important.  This is a common cause of complications or slow recovery. 

Complications of drug therapy for infection are so common the problem is overlooked.  In many instances, the infection is stopped, but not completely eradicated.  Many people carry residues of their bacterial and viral infections for years.  They followed “doctors orders” instead of using natural methods and allowing the body to overcome and eliminate the infection at its own pace.

The list above is by no means intended to be comprehensive for all natural treatment options.  There are many other natural options as well.  Probably one of the best options is to maintain a healthy lifestyle giving high regard to the health of your body. 

Many people end up in the doctors office because they abuse themselves and ignore that advice in the first place.  Always remember, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.

References:

1. Shehab N, Patel PR, Srinivasan A, Budnitz DS. Emergency department visits for antibiotic-associated adverse events. Clin Infect Dis. 2008 Sep 15;47(6):735-43.
2. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez
3. Null G, Dean C, Feldman M, Rasio D. Death by medicine. Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine, 2005. Vol 20, No 1, p 21-34. http://orthomolecular.org/library/jom/2005/pdf/2005-v20n01-p021.pdf
4. Egger WA. Antibiotic resistance: unnatural selection in the office and on the farm. Wisconson Medical Journal. Aug. 2002.
5. Cathcart RF. Vitamin C, titration to bowel tolerance, anascorbemia, and acute induced scurvy. Medical Hypothesis, 1981. 7:1359-1376.
6. Klenner FR. The use of vitamin C as an antibiotic. Journal of Applied Nutrition, 1953. 6:274-278.

Sources:  Lawrence Wilson MD