Preventing Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotic resistance is a serious public health concern.  If bacterial infections cannot be treated with our limited variety of antibiotics we could get extremely sick and potentially die from a simple infection.  With the growing trend of foodborne illness from bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli, we need to find better ways to protect ourselves and prevent these infections from getting out of control.  Let's find out how this happens and what we can do to prevent antibiotic resistance.

• How Antibiotic Resistance Starts - When antibiotics are prescribed to treat a bacterial infection it can kill both the bacteria causing the illness along with the good bacteria.  If the regimen is not completed or the infection remains what's left are the antibiotic-resistant bacteria that can produce more antibiotic-resistant bacteria.  Now with little of the good bacteria to balance out the bad, infections can worsen without the proper antibiotic treatment.


• When Food Animals are Treated With Antibiotics -  There is wide-spread use of antibiotics in animal agriculture.  These are the same antibiotics prescribed for humans.  Rarely are these used to treat sick animals, rather they're used to prevent illness or enhance growth.  Using antibiotics in this way promotes antibiotic-resistance.  In fact, food animals get 80% of the antibiotics used in the United States.  When these food animals are processed, the resistant bacteria can contaminate the meat.  Additionally, this bacteria can get into the environment from animal feces or processing run-off.  Thus, contaminating drinking water or irrigation systems used to grow produce and then spread disease.  Prime examples are romaine lettuce contaminated with Salmonella or spinach contaminated with E. coli.


• How to Limit Exposure to Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria - There are a few ways to limit exposure to antibiotic-resistant bacteria.  First, avoid unnecessary use of antibiotics unless there is an actual bacterial infection, if you have a cold, this is a virus and cannot be treated with antibiotics.  Almost 50% of antibiotics prescribed to humans are unnecessary or inappropriate.  Check with your doctor to make sure an antibiotic is necessary and voice your concerns about promoting antibiotic-resistant bacteria.  Second, improve food safety at home with proper handling of raw meat and cleaning kitchen areas, including storage, and cooking meat to recommended temperatures.  For Food Safety guidelines visit FoodSafety.gov.  In addition, you can use the convenient app called "Foodkeeper" from your smartphone.  And third, you can reduce your dietary exposure to antibiotics and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, as well as make a statement by purchasing from organizations that produce meats that are not treated with antibiotics.  Look for products labeled "USDA Certified Organic" or "Raised Without Antibiotics: USDA Process Certified".


• Ways to Increase Good Bacteria - Since antibiotics can kill off both good and bad bacteria, replenish the good bacteria in your gastrointestinal system with probiotics found in food and supplements.  Doing this will crowd out the bad bacteria and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which will balance your gut flora.  Food sources of probiotics are fermented foods like sauerkraut, kim chee, yogurt and kefir.  Or consider a good quality probiotic supplement, taking a probiotic supplement is especially beneficial if you're prescribed antibiotics, have been traveling out of the country, have a diet low in prebiotic fiber or unable to eat these probiotic foods on a regular basis.

Furthermore, if you're interested in dietary support for improving your gastrointestinal balance of bacterial flora or looking for a high quality probiotic supplement, please contact Sheri.  The balancing of gastrointestinal flora with specific strains is exhibiting many benefits from digestive health, emotional well-being and supporting weight loss.

Free introductory 15-minute appointments are also available.