When Antibiotics Stop Working - Treat Antibiotic-Resistant Disease Naturally
The rise of antibiotic-resistant disease could potentially lead to an epidemic of alarming proportions. As it stands, over 23,000 Americans are killed by antibiotic-resistant disease each year. What will happen when antibiotics stop working altogether? Will this mean that plagues of antibiotic-resistant disease will wipe out humanity as we know it?
Not necessarily. Though man-made antibiotics will eventually stop working, nature has provided plenty of viable options to treat virulent disease and prevent its spread. Understanding how to use these natural immune-boosters and antibiotics could help save your life.
Antibiotic-Resistant Disease to Rise in 2014 and Beyond
Each year, more and more cases of antibiotic-resistant disease turn up. According to the Centers for Disease Control, antibiotic-resistant disease is on their list of top 5 health concerns for 2014.
Here is just a short list of the diseases now becoming dangerously resistant to conventional antibiotic treatment:
Have You Taken a Prescription Antibiotic in the Past Year?
1. Nightmare Bacteria
Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) is called “nightmare bacteria” because it contains over 70 different species of infectious bacteria; all of which have become resistant to the carbapenem class of antibiotics. Though many people can carry CRE in their digestive tracts without experiencing any symptoms, they can cause the immunocompromised individuals around them to become sick and infected. One this bacterium enters the bloodstream, active infection occurs. CRE kills 1 out of 2 people who contract it.
2. Clostridium Difficile
Clostridium Difficile (C. Diff) accounts for 250,000 yearly antibiotic-resistant infections each year. Patients who contract C. Diff infection are usually already hospitalized for another infectious disease. This secondary infection leads to intestinal cramping, uncontrollable diarrhea, weakness, dehydration, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Deaths from C. Diff infection have grown an alarming 400% between 2000 and 2007.
3. Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease that is fast becoming completely resistant to antibiotics. The CDC recently placed the threat level of this infection to urgent. It has been estimated that antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea is responsible for 820,000 gynecological infections diagnosed each year.
4. Tuberculosis
While the CDC has stated that most cases of “garden variety” tuberculosis have declined in the United States, a new strain that has become extensively drug-resistant is on the rise. Tuberculosis is highly-contagious because it is spread through the air. Drug resistance is recorded to be the highest among those aged 25-44.
5. Campylobacter
In addition to antibiotic-resistant disease, food-borne illness is also on the list of serious health concerns to be aware of in 2014. Campylobacter is the most common cause of food poisoning in the United States, resulting in 13,000 hospitalizations each year. Recently, the food and drug administration recently announced its intention to limit the use of antibiotics used in animals raised for meat.
Treat Antibiotic-Resistant Disease Naturally
- Stop Using Antibacterial Products
One of the most overlooked causes of antibiotic resistance is the excessive use of antibacterial products. Antibacterial products such as hand sanitizer, certain soaps, toothpaste, mouthwashes, etc. contain a synthetic antibacterial agent called Triclosan. Triclosan was originally intended only for use in intensive care units and emergency rooms. It was never meant to be used in the 100 plus product you use everyday. Cut back on your use of antibacterial products to reduce your chances of developing an antibiotic-resistant disease.
- Eat Organic Whenever Possible
It is estimated that over 80% of the antibiotics used in the United States are used on factory farms. This is why even though the FDA has proposed a limit on their use, it’s important to eat organic meat, poultry, and fish as often as possible. Organic foods are also higher in nutritional value, which helps keep your immune system strong to protect you.
Use Natural Antibiotics to Treat Infectious Disease
- Garlic
Garlic is a powerful natural antibiotic that has been used for centuries to treat a wide variety of infectious conditions. For best results, purchase organic garlic, chop it fine, mix it with raw honey and swallow 2-3 times per day to heal infectious disease naturally.
- Oregano Oil
Oregano oil has been shown to be just as effective as conventional antibiotics in treating strep throat. Oregano oil has also been shown to be very effective in the prevention of salmonella and E. coli infection. Furthermore, it can also help improve your liver and colon function, which improves your ability to release built-up environmental toxins.
- Olive Leaf Extract
Olive leaf extract has been shown to be very effective in treating the most virulent bacterial diseases because unlike conventional antibiotics, this bacterium can’t “get used to” this natural antibacterial agent. Olive leaf extract has been shown to effectively treat MRSA, chronic sinusitis, colds, flu, strep throat, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, and diverticulitis.
- Echinacea
Echinacea is a natural antibiotic that is loaded with vitamin A, C, and E and a number of nutritive minerals. It has been shown to boost your immune system while protecting your body from disease.
- Goldenseal
Goldenseal is often used in combination with echinacea to heal a wide variety of tough bacterial infections. This natural antibiotic is so strong it is only meant to be used for a period of 2 weeks at a time.
- Manuka Honey
Manuka honey has been clinically proven to treat bacterial infection naturally. It is hygroscopic, meaning it can draw moisture out of the environment, which dehydrates bacteria. It also has a high sugar content and low pH, which keeps microbes from spreading and growing out of control. Medical-grade honey has been shown to have a powerful inhibitory effect on around 60 species of bacteria, including aerobes, anaerobes, gram-positives, and gram-negatives.
- Pau D’Arco
Pau D’Arco has been used as a natural antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and astringent since 1873. It has been used to treat bacterial infections, parasitic diseases, flu, and chronic vaginal yeast infection. Pau D’Arco can be taken in tea, capsule, or tincture form.
Boost Your Immune System with These Supplements
o Vitamin D
It is estimated that 85% of people in the United States and Canada are severely vitamin deficient due to chronic lack of sunlight, poor diet, and digestive dysfunction. This has resulted in an epidemic of poor immune system function. Vitamin D deficiency can be detected by a simple blood test from your doctor. To address severe vitamin D deficiency, it is advisable to use a supplement of 2,000-5,000 IUs to optimize your levels.
o Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an ally you want on your side when antibiotics stop working. Your natural stores of vitamin C are very susceptible to stress, which is why it’s so important to replace those stores whenever possible. Though vitamin C cannot always prevent the development of a cold or flu, it can help protect you against pneumonia and other serious upper respiratory conditions caused by them.
o Probiotics
If you use no other immune-boosting supplement on this list, use probiotics. Probiotics are the live, active cultures found in fermented foods. Adding a high-quality probiotic supplement to your diet can help repopulate your gut with healthy bacteria, boost your immune system, and stabilize an over-active immune system. Your body’s natural gut flora is depleted by the use of conventional antibiotics so it’s important to replace this flora through the use of probiotics.
o Magnesium
Magnesium deficiency is the most common mineral deficiency in the United States. In addition to healing your nervous system, easing anxiety, and treating insomnia, magnesium has been shown to have a positive effect on your immune system. According to a clinical study, laboratory animals fed a magnesium-deficient diet were shown to have severely compromised immunity.
o N-Acetyl Cysteine
N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) boosts your natural glutathione levels. Glutathione is a molecule made from three amino acids; l-cysteine, l-glutamic acid and glycine. If you are low in natural stores of glutathione, lowered immunity can result. Adding NAC can keep your immune system strong and stable by encouraging the natural production of glutathione.
When synthetic antibiotics stop working, we will have to humbly turn back to nature to get the help and support we need. Thankfully, there are plenty of herbs, minerals, and supplements to treat and prevent a variety of infectious disease. However, it is important to understand that even though these supplements are natural, it is never a good idea to overdose on them or take a bunch of different ones at once. I highly recommend finding a naturopathic or osteopathic physician in your area who will help you select the best supplements for your individual needs.