?It is ironic that this humble fungus, hailed as a benefactor of mankind may by its very success prove to be a deciding factor in the decline of the present civilization?, says Dr. John I Pitt, The Genus Penicillin, 1979. (1)
The Soil Association is also worried, saying: ?MRSA, the hospital super bug, arose through overuse of penicillin-type drugs in human medicine'it continues to mutate. This is a doomsday scenario and could cause massive loss of life.? (2)
?Our overuse of medical antibiotics has reduced the human gut to a burned-out minefield, destroying the good guys along with the bad guys,? points out Dr. Jordan Rubin in The Maker's Diet. (3)
Is this another case of certain groups and individuals over-dramatising and scaremongering? Or should we be doing something to mitigate the effects of an excess of antibiotics?
There is no doubt that antibiotics currently save many lives. So the purpose of this article is not to demonise them but to examine their role (including their overuse in many cases), and to outline some essential strategies to reduce their potentially damaging effects on the body. We will examine the following areas below:
? The internal ecosystem: a delicate balance ? A brief history of antibiotics ? What are antibiotics used for? ? Are they being abused? ? Symptoms of an imbalance ? Suggestions from Dr. David Holland (co-author ? The Fungus Link)
The internal ecosystem: a delicate balance
This article is based on the following essential principle: "There is a delicate balance or symbiosis that exists of micro organisms within the body that when altered can lead to disease."
A healthy human adult has about three to four pounds of beneficial bacteria and fungi living within her/his intestines. These microbes compete for nutrients from the food you consume. The beneficial bacteria (like probiotics) keep the bad guys (like yeast) in check and cause them to produce nutrients like B vitamins. (1)
The normal ratio is around 85% good bacteria and 15% bad micro organisms. Now unfortunately most people show the reverse ratio. One reason for this shift is through the use of antibiotics. (4)
A brief history of antibiotics
Antibiotics are also known as anti-bacterials, anti-microbials and mycotoxins.
In 1928 Alexander Fleming accidentally stumbled across penicillin when he noticed that a mould (fungi) had contaminated agar plate upon which he had tried to harvest bacteria. Bacteria near the mould died. This led scientists down the path of antibiotics in treating infectious diseases.
But fungi were actually the first organisms found to cause infectious diseases in humans. Schoenlein (1790 ? 1864) linked fungi to ringworm (fungal infection) and began the fight against fungi until Fleming led the new drive against bacteria and later viruses. (1)
What are antibiotics used for?
Antibiotics only work against infections caused by bacteria. (5)
Therefore they do not work against viruses or fungal infections. According to the American College of Physicians, 70% of all antibiotics dispensed are for upper respiratory infection (URI) including bronchitis, sinusitis and pharyngitis.
However according to the Paediatric Infectious Disease Journal, antibiotics are often ineffective in these cases. (6)
A growing number of medical professionals assert that most URI's are not caused by bacteria but fungi. (1,7)
In 1999, the prestigious Mayo Clinic announced that researchers had discovered the real cause of chronic sinusitis ? 95 % of patients suffered from a fungal, not bacterial, infection. (2)
Two out of three infants receive antibiotics before they turn one year old according to the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. (7)
Now you may do your best to avoid taking antibiotics, but if you are consuming commercially farmed animals you are most certainly getting a regular dose. U.S. pharmaceutical firms produce more than 35 million pounds of antibiotics each year, and animals receive the vast majority, which is a good reason for paying more for grass-fed, free-range and organic meats. (8)
This information is not new, it just takes time to get it out there. The U.S. Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and American Academy of Paediatrics published guidelines for the appropriate use of antibiotics and this resulted in a 41% decrease in prescriptions to children under 4, according to one study. But the problem (many in the medical profession believe) is the lack of attention to diet and insufficient measures to reduce the effect of antibiotics. (7)
Symptoms of an imbalance
Antibiotics can lead to dysbiosis (bacterial imbalance in the digestive system) which causes havoc to the body's immune system. Dr. Jordan S. Rubin, author of the Makers Diet, personally battled severe health problems due to an imbalance leading to Crohn's disease, whereby victims experience progressive symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhoea, extreme weight loss and perhaps premature death. According to Dr. Rubin the prevention and treatment of dysbiosis present the most challenging problems doctors face today.
Dysbiosis may lead to allergies, irrital bowel syndrome, breast and colon cancer, increased suspectibility to infection, food cravings, impaired, mental clarity, hypoglycaemia and numerous other illnesses, according to Dr Rubin. He adds that most doctors rarely connect the cause of illness to the microbe balance. Furthermore most people are too embarrassed to talk about their constant diarrhea, indigestion, gas, constipation, abdominal bloating and pains. (3)
So if the overuse of antibiotics leads to intestinal imbalances and fungal infections, why don't doctors know this? According to The Fungal Link it's because fungal infections were rare 50 years ago because pharmaceutical drugs were rare.
?We're using antibiotics that are so powerful they save lives, but they also destroy normal flora, particularly in our intestinal tract, says Dr. Michael G. Rinaldi.? This allows pathogenic germs to colonise and eventually become infectious. (1)
Suggestions from Dr. Holland
Dr. David Holland believes going back for another round of serious or stronger antibiotics potentially leads to serious repercussions. He admits most doctors are generally unaware that antibiotics wipe out normal, protective intestinal bacteria with as little as a single dose, as antibiotics are broad-spectrum (they nuke them all including the good guys - Lactobacillus acidophilus and other probiotics - that protect us against yeast, salmonella, cholera and harmful E. Coli species overgrowing).
Prevention He also suggests taking a look at your current lifestyle. Smoking, excessive alcohol intake, lack of exercise, regular sugar, and high stress levels are all good ways to get an infection.
Remedial action ? if you take an antibiotic Dr. Holland recommends the following strategies that you can discuss with your GP. Take an anti-fungal together with the antibiotic. Replace the good bacteria by supplementing with a probiotic (not the sugar drinks currently marketed, instead ask at your local health food store or chemist). However, Dr. Holland states that once many antibiotics are consumed, probiotics alone may not be enough. So a change in diet and prescription, or natural anti-fungals are required. Take an antioxidant supplement which includes vitamin A, C, E, zinc or selenium as they are antifungal. (1)
Finally if you believe you may currently have symptoms of a fungal infection, I recommend you read ?The Fungal Link? (see references) and look up the www.yeastconnection.com which also has a free test and recommendations online.
Your 3d Coach Craig Burton
References (1) The Fungus Link, Volume 1 and Volume 2, Doug A. Kaufmann, 2000 and 2002 (2) Soil Association, Pamphlet: Antibiotics ? will they still work next time you need them (3) The Maker's Diet, Dr. Jordan Rubin, 2005 (4) Candida Albicans: The quiet epidemic, Stanley Weinberger, 2000 (5) www.familydoctor.org, antibiotics (6) Annals of Internal Medicine, American College of Phyiscians, American Society of Internal Medicine, March 20, 2001 (7) Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, December 2002, 21:1023-1028 (8) Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, December, 2002, 50:1085-1088
In the metro, fitness gyms have been sprouting like mushrooms. A lot of young people have been going in the gym to work out and develop their physique. They want their muscles to look good, and they want to look good --- right away, pronto! People go to gym and workout for hours doing weight training and cardiovascular exercises. No pain, no gain, as they say.
After weeks and months of training, they may find some physical improvements in their body. But most likely, these will be accompanied by muscle and lower back pains. There is a possibility that those who get ?gym aches? have over-trained or simply did their exercises incorrectly. According to fitness experts, over-training decreases the degree of our body's capacity to heal itself. Over-training also leads to strength loss, mood swings, and eventually, lessened motivation to work out.
Training properly
Health specialists say that in order for muscles to grow, one should gradually and slowly increase the amount of weight he/she is lifting. Lifting the right kind of weight in the right time duration may give a lot of benefits. They add that increasing the frequency, length, and intensity of workout is one of the primary causes of injury.
So how can one tell if an exercise plan is doing more harm than good? Pain, according to researchers, is the body's warning that it's about to be injured. Pain may be experienced if one is performing the exercise routine wrongly or a past injury is being aggravated. Health experts believe a certain activity that causes pain should be stopped to prevent further damage.
Those who experience certain muscle pains and injuries are advised by doctors to let rest and the body heal itself before turning to muscle relaxants. The body according to them can heal itself if given enough time and rest.
Arthritis because of over-training
Exercising is a component of a healthy lifestyle. But one ought to remember that too much of a good thing may bring unpleasant results. Over-training in the long run may lead to wear and tear of the muscles and joints. Wear and tear of the joints may lead to arthritis, which takes place because of the wearing down of cartilages, which is the substance that cushions the ends of the bones. Arthritis can be very uncomfortable and painful. The weight-bearing joints like the feet, knees, hips, and spine are prone to arthritis development. This occurs because these joints are unable to react properly to the tension that they encounter. Arthritis however can be prevented if one is exercising properly and moderately.
Natural pain Relief from arthritis
People who have developed arthritis because of over-training turn anti-inflammatory drugs to treat arthritis. Medication should go hand in hand with exercise and the right diet for maximum results. It was believed that if one had arthritis he/she should refrain from exercising because it would further damage the joints. Studies show that moderate and regular exercise reduces joint pains. Recent studies show that it would be better if one exercises while immersed in water. Doing it would raise the temperature in the body, causing the blood vessels and increase circulation. People with arthritis should not be dependent to prescription medications but should instead focus in having a healthy lifestyle. Being physically active and eating a healthy diet is critical in treating arthritis.
Both Craig Burton & Cathy are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Craig Burton has sinced written about articles on various topics from Alternative Medicine, Guided Meditation and Fitness. Article by Craig Burton. Craig is a prominent European based holistic health and fitness coach and founder of 3D Personal Training Systems. Craig is a Sports Science graduate with postgraduate accreditations in nutrition, massage, athletic training, and c. Craig Burton's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.
Cathy has sinced written about articles on various topics from Cure Anxiety, Dental Practice and Arthritis Signs. Rather literally, performance anxiety can come from out of nowh Did you find this article informative? DrugStoreTM.Com not just provides products but valuable information, which will be helpful in your daily living. Get to know more information:. Cathy's top article generates over 40500 views. to your Favourites.