We are facing a huge health care crisis.  More and more of the disease causing bacteria we are exposed to on a daily basis are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics.  Allopathic medicine calls this bacteria “Superbugs”.  

Bacteria and germs are a part of everyday life and serve a purpose.  Usually we live in harmony with these microorganisms.  It is only when our immune systems become compromised and weakened that illness can set in.

How do antibiotics become resistant in the first place?

For many people whenever they become sick a first line of defense is to take antibiotics prescribed by their doctor.  Many stop taking the antibiotics as soon as results are seen and the person begins to feel better and doesn't complete the recommended course.  This allows the stronger strains of bacteria to survive and reproduce.  Bacteria has a short life cycle but reproduces very quickly.  Once the person begins to experience symptoms again and returns to the doctor the doctor in turn prescribes an even stronger and more expensive antibiotic that is not only toxic to the bacteria but is also toxic to the body as well.

Other times antibiotics are prescribed inappropriately for viruses.  Many are unaware of the fact that antibiotics are ineffective in the treatment of a virus.  Unfortunately there is virtually no way to distinguish between a viral infection and a bacterial infection without the use of diagnostic tests.  Some of these tests are difficult to perform as well as expensive.  Many times doctors will go ahead and prescribe antibiotics to “cover all the bases” without really knowing for sure.  Other times doctors are pressured into writing a prescription for antibiotics by the patient or the patient's parents.  According to the US Government at least half of the 100 billion prescriptions written for antibiotics each year are unnecessary. In 2004, the FDA required a warning to be added to the labeling of antibiotics to warn of the dangers of overuse.  

Over the years doctors have begun to prescribe antibiotics less.  Unfortunately we are still being exposed to antibiotics through the food we eat and even the water we drink.  Many animals that are not organically raised are regularly given antibiotics due to poor living conditions which breeds illness.  When we consume this meat we are also consuming the antibiotics.  Municipal water supplies can also become contaminated from runoff into streams and groundwater from feedlots on these animal farms.

MRSA – The Hospital Born “Superbug”

According to the Mayo Clinic, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA is an infection caused by the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria — also known as "staph" - that can be fatal.  Decades ago, a strain of staph emerged in hospitals that was resistant to the broad-spectrum antibiotics commonly used to treat it. MRSA was one of the first germs to outsmart all but the most powerful drugs.  

In the 1990s, a type of MRSA began showing up in the wider community. Today, that form of staph, known as community-associated MRSA, or CA-MRSA, is responsible for many serious skin and soft tissue infections and as well as a serious form of pneumonia.

Vancomycin is one of the few antibiotics still effective against hospital strains of MRSA infection, although the drug is no longer effective in every case. Several drugs continue to be effective against CA-MRSA, but this bacteria is rapidly evolving as well and it may only be a matter of time before it becomes resistant to most antibiotics.

Who is at risk of contracting MRSA?

• Those who have been recently or are currently hospitalized.   According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in American hospitals alone, healthcare-associated infections account for an estimated 1.7 million infections and 99,000 associated deaths each year.  More than 70% of the bacteria that cause hospital-acquired infections are resistant to at least one of the drugs most commonly used to treat them.

• Those who have received an invasive medical procedure such as surgery, catheterization or dialysis.

• Those who have recently taken antibiotics.

• Those who reside in a long-term care facility.  Cases of MRSA are more widespread in these types of facilities than in hospitals.

• Those involved in contact sports.  CA-MRSA or community-associated MRSA can be spread through cuts and abrasions.  

• Those who are health care workers and those who associate with health care workers.

• Those who have a weakened immune system.  Children are also at higher risk as their immune systems are not fully developed.

According to Fox News at least six state school districts have recently reported students infected with MRSA and this infection is responsible for the deaths of at least three children.  So a good question would be what can we do to strengthen the immune system naturally and prevent infection?

• Building up the immune system using natural whole foods such as fruits and vegetables supplies the body with much needed nutrients in order to boost immune system function.  It is also advisable to take a complete multivitamin and mineral supplement, such as Super Supplemental, that is derived from natural sources on a daily basis.  Unless you are getting organic, fresh foods that are locally grown and in season you are probably not getting maximum nutrition.  Herbasaurs is an excellent natural multivitamin and mineral supplement for kids.

• Avoid food and water sources that may contain antibiotics.

• Be proactive in your health care instead of reactive.  With almost 100,000 deaths each year being being blamed on health care-associated infections, prevention is definitely the best medicine.

• Be sure to practice good hygiene with regular hand washing with soap and water.  Also be sure to thoroughly clean cuts and scrapes to prevent infection.  

• Get appropriate rest and exercise along with managing stress effectively.

• Avoid contact with those who are sick.

• Use Garlic.  Garlic or a high potency Garlic supplement is effective against bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics and has long been known as “nature's penicillin”.  Children should take only ¼ to ½ of an adult dose while nursing babies can receive the antimicrobial benefits of Garlic through breast milk when Garlic is taken by the mom.

• Use Echinacea.  Echinacea actually promotes the production of T cells and can shorten the duration of upper respiratory infections.  As Echinacea is an immune system stimulant, it should not be used by those who have autoimmune disorders and should not be taken longer than 8 weeks at a time then take a break for a week or two.  

• Taking Colloidal Silver has also shown to be beneficial against “Superbugs”.

• IN-X fights infection and supports the immune system and promotes lymphatic cleansing.  It is used in the treatment of colds, sinus infections, urinary tract infections and tonsillitis.  

• The lymphatic system contains a network of channels throughout the body and it's main job is to detoxify the body.  The lymph nodes or glands serve as barriers of protection.  We have about 100,000 lymph nodes throughout the body, which contain white blood cells and other immune cells which attack foreign invaders.  When the flow of lymph is obstructed by swelling you may get a condition called Lymphedema which can be very painful.  When the lymph system is sluggish toxins can accumulate in the body.  Whenever a person is sick they typically don't feel like getting physical exercise which can cause the lymph system to become stagnant causing slowed healing.  Using a supplement such as Lymphatic Drainage during illness promotes detoxification of the lymphatic system and promotes normal lymph flow throughout the body.

Selected Sources:
Mayo Clinic – www.mayoclinic.com
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – www.cdc.gov
Fox News – www.foxnews.com

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