Antibiotics
See also:
Natural Alternative to Steroids and Antibiotics
Rather than Vaccines and Antibiotics
See also:
Natural Alternative to Steroids and Antibiotics
Rather than Vaccines and Antibiotics
According to Harvard professor and Nobel Laureate Walter Gilbert, "There may be a time down the road when 80 to 90 percent of infections will be resistant to all known antibiotics."
An article published in The American Journal of Medicine reported on the ability of some antibiotics to alter the immune response. Tetracycline was shown to inhibit the ability of white cells to engulf and destroy bacteria (phagocytosis) and to delay the ability of white cells to move to the site of infection. Sulfonamides inhibited the microbiocidal activity of white cells. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole inhibited antibody production. Similar action of numerous antibiotics was reported.
Antibiotics have also been shown to increase the likelihood of repeat infections. In one report, children with strept throat who were given antibiotics experienced a rate of recurrent infections two to eight times higher than those not receiving antibiotics. An article in The Journal of the American Medical Association showed that children with chronic earaches who received antibiotics experienced two to six times more middle ear effusion than those receiving placebo.
The use of antibiotics often results in increased susceptibility to intestinal infection by fungi, bacteria, viruses and parasites because antibiotics drastically alter the balance of intestinal organisms.
Antibiotics kill bacteria, and this can be life saving. However, antibiotics are over-used in veterinary medicine.
Sometimes it’s our own fault: if we walk away from the vets without a prescription, many of us feel as though the vet has done nothing for the dog. This puts pressure on the vet. Sometimes antibiotics are given by the vet ‘just in case’. Studies have shown that at least 50% of all antibiotic prescriptions for dogs are probably not needed.
The problem with antibiotics is that they knock out both good and bad bacteria in the gut. Some friendly bacteria, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, protect the body from yeast infections and unfriendly bacteria. Some bacteria manufacture nutrients, and some actually protect the body from infections. They also lower cholesterol in the body, improve digestion, and even fight tumours.
In fact, when antibiotics are introduced into the body, they remove the equilibrium of a very wise natural system. Candida albicans is a normal inhabitant of the body, but when antibiotics are used, an overgrowth of this yeast can be the result. This can lead to a weakened immune system, allergies, autoimmune disorders, skin problems, and neurological and endocrine problems (endocrines are glands which excrete hormones, such as thyroid and pituitary).
There are natural antibiotics which support the body’s own ability to destroy bacteria. VibactraPlus, Bee Propolis, Echinacea, Neem, Grapefruitseed Extract, Garlic, Olive Leaf Extract – all of these are natural antibiotic alternatives which attack the bad bacteria but leave the beneficial bacteria alone.
Leave the heavy duty antibiotics for life-threatening emergencies. If you do use antibiotics, reintroduce good bacterins by adding yoghurt and/or probiotics to your dog’s food. If, after antibiotic use, you notice your dog itching and scratching or developing skin disorders, check out yeast infections.
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