When antibiotics are prescribed for unnecessary conditions, numerous adverse problems arise. Antibiotics kill bacteria and not viruses; yet, it is commonly prescribed for colds, the flu and dental cleanings and dental pre and post-surgical procedures. The unnecessary prescribing has caused new, drug-resistant bacteria and is blamed for today’s epidemic of superbugs.
It also causes adverse reactions that include depletion of the normal flora in the human body, which are our beneficial bacteria. These beneficial bacteria live in your gut and intestines and help you to properly digest food and protect your body from disease-causing microorganisms.
Antibiotics are definitely useful when needed, and with responsible use can save lives that are threatened with bacterial infections. However, a serious reduction in use can help to decrease the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and disease.
We also have wide uses of antibiotics in agriculture, which accounts for 70 percent of all antibiotic use in this country. Animals are fed antibiotics for disease prevention and growth promotion. When you consume that meat, you inadvertently consume the antibiotics.
Some common antibiotic-resistant bacteria are Anthrax, Gonorrhea, Group B Streptococcus, MRSA, Streptococcus Pneumoniae and Tuberculosis to name a few.
After one has had antibiotics, especially numerous times, what has been shown to happen is the good bacteria, or normal flora, in the body is virtually destroyed along with the bad bacteria. This leaves the body vulnerable to other pathogens as the good bacteria helps you digest your food and fights other disease-causing microorganisms.
Without your good bacteria, you are now left vulnerable to yeast infections and other disease processes. Once you get yeast overgrowth–also known as Candida overgrowth, which can lead to systemic candidiasis–you can be left with tiredness and fatigue, headaches, recurring genital or urinary tract infections, digestive issues, sinus infections, vaginal yeast infections, allergies, skin and nail fungal infections, thrush, joint pain, itchy skin, depression and anxiety.
Amazingly, I have just read a report from Dr. Emily Severance at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine that links systemic candidiasis to bipolar disorder and other mental illness. Also, once you have a Candida infection and it spreads to the genitalia, yeast can be transferred to your partner sexually.
Mother’s give their unborn babies their first inoculation of intestinal bacterial flora. This is where baby gets his/her good bacteria that help digest food and builds the immune system. Research shows that women who took antibiotics during their pregnancies had a higher rate of their babies developing asthma, digestive problems, neurological dysfunction and autoimmune disorders.
Another factor that can cause an increase in Candida is high or prolonged stress, which causes a hormone called cortisol to be produced. Cortisol can weaken the immune system and cause elevated levels of blood sugar. As a result, you will experience weight gain, not only from the increased blood sugar that feeds the yeast, but also if your normal intestinal bacteria have been destroyed, this leaves you with difficulty digesting your food. And, if you are not digesting your food properly, you will usually gain weight.
Having trouble losing weight? Want to figure out if you have this condition? Give us a call at the number below.
If you have been on antibiotics and/or suspect you have a Candida infection or having digestive problems, you may be able to find a holistic practitioner who can help you with this unwanted condition.
Dr. Ramona Valentine
