There is another compelling reason to diet, exercise and maintain a healthy weight. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria infections are on the rise and have been linked to obesity by health care officials around the world. Their existence has been known for over 20 years, but hasn't been a great concern. However, the incidence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has risen greatly in the past two decades and is being watched as a potential major medical concern.

The problem is largely due to over-use of antibiotics. Bacteria that have been partially treated by antibiotics develop a natural resistance over time. Eventually the medicines we use to vanquish various illnesses and infections just don't work any longer. If one type of medication does not work to control an infection, doctors often move on to another type of medication. Over time, certain strains of bacteria have developed resistance to nearly every medication in the medical arsenal. Common infections are sometimes turning into life-threatening conditions when doctors are not able to effectively treat the bacteria causing the infection.

Overweight and obese people are more likely than people of a healthy weight to develop serious conditions requiring medical intervention. It only makes sense that they are also more likely to become victims of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Additionally, carrying an unhealthy amount of weight compromises your immune system. Infections that would ordinarily be stopped by the immune system become life-threatening conditions.

One of the best ways to avoid the over-use of antibiotics is to keep yourself healthy. If you are currently overweight, even a modest amount of fat loss achieved by a healthy diet and exercise will greatly boost your immune system. It strengthens your heart and reduces your risk of diabetes and cancer. It does not have to be a fast loss; simply adopting healthier habits over time will lead to increased health benefits.

In addition to losing excess fat, you can decrease the risk from antibiotic-resistant bacteria with a diet rich in natural foods. Many animals raised for food production are routinely treated with an overabundance of antibiotics. These substances are passed along to consumers who eat the meat of the treated animals.

Antibiotics also trickle down to the consumer as a result of animal manure being used as fertilizer. Fertilizer containing antibiotics transfers the antibiotic substances to the vegetables that we eat every day. Consuming small doses of antibiotics in our meals day after day has a similar effect to taking low doses of antibiotics for many years. With such low doses, the bacteria are not wiped out and continue to mutate; raising their resistance to antibiotics.

Your health and the health of your family depend on you keeping yourself informed. By knowing how to stay healthy and limiting the harmful substances in your food, you will add many healthy years on to your life.