Just when I thought I’d swore off antibiotics for good (except of course for the rare emergency), I found myself getting ready to take yet another round. This may have pushed me somewhere over 100 courses of antibiotics in my lifetime. This time there was no getting around it when I had to have two wisdom teeth removed. I wasn’t happy about having to have them pulled, as we know pulling teeth can sometimes lead to health problems, but I feel just like with antibiotics, sometimes you don’t have a choice, and you have to weigh the good and the bad. But unlike years ago, these days we are armed with the right tools to counteract most of the damage antibiotics can cause.
Not too long ago most of us didn’t think much about running to the doctor for a script when we got sick. We didn’t think about the fact that whatever was making us sick could be viral, or fungal and not bacterial at all (we know antibiotics do not work on virus’ and fungi), and instead of doing the “wait and see” we happily took our antibiotics. Now we are a little more cautious about rushing in because we armed with a lot more facts about antibiotics than we used to be.
Interesting facts about antibiotics:
Antibiotic literally means Anti -life, or Anti living things. WE are living things, so when we take enough of them, or at high enough doses the outcome has it’s consequences.
They increase the risk of some cancers.
They can cause leaky gut and food allergies by killing off the good bacteria in the gut.
They can cause AND fuel fungal infections, which makes sense since antibiotics are fungal metabolites called mycotoxins (fungal poisons). For example, Penicillium is a mold, the poison it makes is Penicillin (the antibiotic).
Overuse can lead to resistance.
They are can be found in our food supply as farmers frequently feed them to animals. They are also very prevalent in our corn, wheat, and peanut supply so we are getting a nice dose on a consistent basis when we follow the SAD diet (Standard American Diet).
Steps I take if I have to be on an antibiotic:
- Probiotics – probiotics help to replace the good bacteria the antibiotic has just killed off.
- Nystatin – Not the sugary liquid kind doctors normally prescribe but the powdered version. This is one of the oldest anti-fungals and seems to have very few side effects.
- Supplements- Colostrum (this supplement is amazing and deserves a post all of it’s own, which is coming up), L Glutamine, and digestive enzymes. All of which support gut health. They can also help prevent, and can help heal leaky gut and food allergies. Citridrops are a natural anti-fungal drops you can add to your water as well as irrigate your sinuses with.
- Cutting out sugar and empty carbs as fungi feed on sugar and carbs.
If you suspect you have food allergies and/or leaky gut (they tend to go together) I wrote a post on how to heal food allergies click here.
NOTE: I am not opposed to antibiotics as in many cases they saves lives. This is also not to replace your physician’s advice. It’s important for people to be in charge and informed of their health. If you do get that prescription for antibiotics you could always talk to your doctor about taking probiotics as well. Remember, antibiotics will deplete your gut flora. You could also discuss taking natural anti-fungals like oil of oregano, as antibiotics feed fungus.
Disclaimer- I am not a physician, I cannot help individuals with a personal plan or advice, I can only write about my experience. Please consult your physician when starting any new diet or supplement, and never forgo seeing your doctor in in lieu of others advice. This post is not sponsored however it does contain affiliate links in which I get a small percentage from sales. My opinions however are my own and do not get paid to write about any food or supplements.I would never recommend any supplement or brand I didn’t personally love and benefit from.
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