Antibiotics. The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.

First, the good. Antibiotics were first discovered back in the late 1880's. When they first came out they were thought to be the miracle cure that was going to save the world from all disease. To a certain extent, they did a very good job and saved many lives. Until, that is, the diseases and bacteria got smarter, which brings us to the bad.

The BAD! Over the last 50 years, the bad of antibiotics has been getting exponentially worse. The really bad part is it's all our own fault. That's right, we may have screwed ourselves. Here's the run down on basically what's happened. Antibiotics worked so well for years that everyone wanted to take them whenever they got sick. Whether it was a little sniffle, runny nose, flu (which is viral by the way, so antibiotics don't work anyway) everyone was asking their doctors for antibiotics. Doctors were handing them out like candy, and still do. Eventually, the bacteria started to change and mutate into strains that are resistant to antibiotics. 

In the last year alone these drug resistant bacteria have killed over 65,000 people. This is more than prostate cancer and breast cancer COMBINED!

The Ugly! Really ugly!
Even if you have never taken antibiotics, the odds are that you have still ingested large amounts of them. The only way to completely avoid them is to be informed and aware of what you ingest. Did you know that antibiotics are used in cows to produce more milk and in livestock to make them grow bigger so they can make more money (The antibiotics are passed to use through the milk and in the meat). 

Antibiotics are even in our water (always drink reverse osmosis water). It's hard to avoid them but it can be done. The really bad part about all this is even if you do everything perfectly, other people are messing it up for us. They are the ones that are over using antibiotics for everything from ear infections (which 9 times out of 10 are viral) to tummy aches (I'm not joking!). They become the hosts for the antibiotic resistant bacteria and if someone that does everything right happens to get an infection they are up a creek without a paddle. The damage is done!

PLEASE DON'T EVER PUT UNUSED DRUGS DOWN THE TOILET OR DRAIN. 
TAKE THEM TO A PHARMACY.

I could go on and on about this subject. Here is an article that I actually read on my blackberry and was amazed to see it there. Please take the time to read it. It really is in the best interest of everyone's health. 
CLICK HERE

The sky is falling! The sky is falling!
While there may be little pieces of the sky falling there are some people taking action and there are some things you can do to help. 

This topic is getting so big (finally) and so important that our federal government and other governments of the world are taking strong actions to prevent this from getting worse. 

The WHO (World Health Organization) is even involved. 

There is a worldwide campaign to reduce the usage (which is mostly unnecessary) of antibiotics. They are pressuring doctors big time to actually test before prescribing antibiotics and only use them in severe cases. Even if antibiotics would help, unless it is life threatening your body WILL heal itselfand get better. Give it time.

I usually recommend giving it a week and if at the end of the week you are not ANY better then get it checked out. Here is the problem with relying on doctors for the best health possible. They get paid to prescribe those antibiotics and drugs. So its kind of in their own best financial interest to prescribe more not less.

So that leaves you and me. Leave antibiotics for use as a last resort. Always ask for testing before taking antibiotics and give your body a chance to heal itself. It will make you healthier in the long run.  

If you would like some recommendations on different supplements I recommend to help boost the immune system take a look at the short list below. While not all inclusive to every condition they are very helpful. 

This is a great all around immune system booster.
Pure Encapsulations - Daily Immune - 120ct [Health and Beauty] 
This is a good Kids option.
Gaia Kids Echinacea Goldenseal Herbal Drops, 2-Ounce Bottle 

And for all you garlic lovers, you know I love it. Good for sooooo many things. 
See my previous post on garlic and vampires. 
Vital Nutrients - Garlic Extract 300 mg 60 caps 

This is a list to just start with. If you are looking for other check out Healthwavefor you supplement needs. 

That's enough for now. I'm sure there will be more later. 

Make informed decisions and ask for testing before taking anything. Keep your body healthy and it will take care of itself.
 
After all, if you don't take care of your body. Where are you going to live?