OCT 13 • BIG PHARMA • 1358 VIEWS • COMMENTS OFF
by PAUL FASSA
The CDC has hailed antibiotics and vaccines as the premier medical innovations of the Twentieth Century. Most of us know better about vaccinations, but antibiotics remain a sacred cow that few dare challenge. Fortunately, some doctors and medical researchers know better. This article shares what they have to say about the dark side of antibiotics. And it’s not only overuse that’s the issue.
As a matter of fact, Since the 1940′s, antibiotics have become the standard treatment for bacterial infections. Most believe that pharmaceutical antibiotics are a miracle, a ‘silver bullet’ for infectious diseases and that antibiotics and vaccines were responsible for curtailing the major, life threatening, infectious diseases plaguing humanity.
The truth is: “Deaths from common infections were declining long before effective medical intervention was possible.” – Thomas McKeown, MD, author of the Role of Medicine.
In post 2
A study published by the Mayo Clinic found almost 70 percent of Americans are on at least one pharmaceutical, and antibiotics top the list, followed by antidepressants, and opioid pain killers. So here are 10 reasons to avoid pharmaceutical antibiotics.
(1) Cancer Link
The BMJ reported that those who had taken six or more antibiotic prescriptions had a 1.5 times greater risk of less common cancers compared with study participants who had the lowest antibiotic exposure. A 2002 Finish study found breast cancer risk accelerated with increased antibiotic exposure.
A 2008 study by the International Journal of Cancer reported: Those who had taken 2-5 antibiotic prescriptions had a 27% increase in cancers compared to those who took none. Those who took six or more prescriptions had a 37% increase in cancers.
(2) Liver Damage
A new study published in the journal Gastroenterology found that although all types of prescription drugs are linked to liver damage antibiotics in particular were the worst offenders, the drug class most likely to cause serious harm to the liver. John Gever, Senior Editor, MedPage Today stated: “Antimicrobial agents are the most common cause of drug-induced liver failure, with most cases ending in death or transplant.” (Emphasis added)
(3) IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease)
According to a 2011 article published by Foxnews online: A scientific link has been established between antibiotic use and colitis. Antibiotic-induced colitis is caused by the toxins exuded by the bacterium Clostridium difficile following antibiotic treatment, while the majority of other intestinal bacteria have been killed off by the antibiotic.
Clostridium difficile grows rapidly and releases toxins that damage the intestinal wall. In fact, Crohn’s disease which has spread epidemic like over the past 50 years parallels the introduction and widespread use of antibiotics. There’s even a theory postulated by a couple of German scientists that Crohn’s is actually the mutation created from normal gut bacteria by antibiotics.
Perhaps it is no accident that those with the highest incidence of so called AIDS (view the video: “House of Numbers”) are also those that use more antibiotics than any others. We’re talking about depressed immune systems from antibiotics.
(5) Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Repeated antibiotic use has been linked with chronic viral illness including chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS or ME/CFS). Prominent ME/CFS researcher Kenny de Meirleir announced that he and his Belgian research team have uncovered a major cause of ME/CFS and a major underlying mechanism of the condition. According to Dr. de Meirleir, a major cause of ME/CFS is a high level of the chemical hydrogen sulfide (H2S). H2S can build up after antibiotic use, salmonella infection, or too much mercury exposure.
(6) Fungal and Bacterial Overgrowths
Fungal and bacterial overgrowths caused by antibiotics exude endotoxins (toxins produced within the body), which suppress the immune system. They destroy the “communication pathways between cells of the immune system”
ND Peter J. D’Adamo, a naturopathic physician and author known for his pioneering research on the interconnectedness of human blood groups, lifestyle, nutrition and health explains, “Without these pathways in operation, immune cells don’t attack. Healthy gut flora supports immune function but does not replace those communication pathways.”
(7) Recurring Infections
Scientific research has revealed that those treated with antibiotics succumb to recurring infections more frequently than those who do not use antibiotics. For example, children with ear infections who are prescribed antibiotics routinely suffer from repeat infections.
(8) Weakened Immune System
Dr. D’Adamo explained further, “When you allow your body to go to war on its own terms, without antibiotic intervention, it develops not only a memory of specific antibodies to the current infection and any similar to it, but also the ability to fight more effectively the next time it is challenged or attacked.”
In other words, the “invaders” are getting stronger, but our immune systems are less prepared to handle them. Antibiotics suppress the immune system, as opposed to merely assisting it to do its job more effectively. In fact, antibiotics “cut off immune response.” They can reduce the level of infection, but they cannot eradicate it; only the immune system can do that.
(9) Mutant Bacteria (Superbugs)
In 1947, when penicillin was rolled out for mass production, the first bacterium resistant to it was soon discovered, Staphylococcus aureus. The fact is that antibiotics even when used appropriately, can and do create mutant bacteria.
The highest rates of methicillin-resistant S. aureus infections are correlated with the countries that prescribe the most antibiotics. In 2009, Norway had one of the lowest rates of hospital infections in the world. Why? Approximately 30 years ago, Norway made a pivotal decision to reduce overall antibiotic use and also refused to allow stronger antibiotics into the country.
(10) Mitochondrial Damage
Pharmaceuticals are a major cause of mitochondrial damage, including statin medications, analgesics such as acetaminophen, antibiotics and many others. Structurally, mitochondria are essentially modified bacteria. Antibiotics indiscriminately target bacteria. Mitochondrial disorders commonly manifest as neurological disorders for example, neuropathy.
Paul Fassa is a contributing staff writer for REALfarmacy.com. His pet peeves are the Medical Mafia’s control over health and the food industry and government regulatory agencies’ corruption. Paul’s valiant contributions to the health movement and global paradigm shift are world renowned. Visit his blog by following this link and follow him on Twitter here.