"Antibiotic resistance has been called one of the world’s most
pressing public health problems. It can cause significant danger and suffering
for people who have common infections that once were easily treatable with
antibiotics. When antibiotics fail to work, the consequences are longer-lasting
illnesses; more doctor visits or extended hospital stays; and the need
for more expensive and toxic medications. Some resistant infections can
cause death. Sick individuals aren’t the only people who can suffer the
consequences. Families and entire communities feel the impact when disease-causing
germs 
become
resistant to antibiotics. These antibiotic-resistant bacteria can quickly
spread to family members, school mates and co-workers — threatening the
community with a new strain of infectious disease that is more difficult
to cure and more expensive to treat." CDC Dangers
of Antibiotic Resistance
Antibiotics
are known to have side-effects; 'allergic' reactions to antibiotics such
as penicillin have been documented in medical literature for over forty
years. The severity of these side-effects may range from a simple rash
to anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction which includes difficult or
laboured breathing, which are also symptoms of an asthmatic
attack. It is now time to reconsider whether the side-effects of antibiotics
should any longer be described as 'allergies', implying that the problem
lies with the patient rather than with the drug. It is time that we acknowledged
that drugs producing an 'allergic response' are toxic, and in fact producing
side-effects which are in many cases symptomatic of poisoning.
Some antibiotics which have been reported in the medical literature
as causing asthma in certain individuals include
penicillin, ampicillin, amoxycillin, cephalosporins, tetracycline, spiramycin,
and erythromycin, other drugs and antibiotics have also been reported to
cause asthma. These references which represent but a few of those published,
have been selected to illustrate that a correlation between antibiotics
and asthma has been reported from several countries, and can result from
exposure in a variety of forms. They include: learn
more
Side effects of antibiotics
The most common side effects with antibiotic drugs are diarrhoea, feeling
sick and being sick. Fungal infections of the mouth, digestive tract and
vagina can also occur with antibiotics because they destroy the protective
'good' bacteria in the body (which help prevent overgrowth of any one organism),
as well as the 'bad' ones, responsible for the infection being treated.
Rare,
but more serious side effects, include the formation of kidney stones with
the sulphonamides, abnormal blood clotting with some of the cephalosporins,
increased sensitivity to the sun with the tetracyclines, blood disorders
with trimethoprim, and deafness with erythromycin and the aminoglycosides.
Sometimes, particularly in older people, antibiotic treatment can cause
a type of colitis (inflamed bowel) leading to severe diarrhoea. Penicillins,
cephalosporins and erythromycin can all cause this problem but it is most
common with clindamycin, an antibiotic usually reserved for serious infections.
If you develop diarrhoea while taking an antibiotic, immediately contact
your doctor.
Some people are allergic to antibiotics, particularly penicillins, and
can develop Side effects such as a rash, swelling of the face and tongue,
and difficulty breathing when they take them. Always tell your doctor or
pharmacist if you have had an allergic reaction to an antibiotic; sometimes
the reaction can be serious or even fatal. This is called an anaphylactic
reaction.
Antibiotics are a common cause of Candida.
Antibiotics destroy both harmful bacteria and good bacteria. When antibiotics
destroy friendly bacteria it gives the Candida a chance to begin to multiply.
Anyone who has been treated with antibiotics for acne, major dental work
or any condition where antibiotic use has been frequent, more than 1 course
of 7-10 days, is a prime candidate for Candida. safe
natural candida treatment
In a clinical study, pediatrician, David M. Markowitz, M.D. reports
an 84% reduction in antibiotic use when children
used Transfer Factor.
Doctors
fear that if antibiotic use is not curtailed, we may soon approach the
day when untreatable infections are rampant. In Beyond Antibiotics, Drs.
Schmidt, Smith, and Sehnert explore the problems presented by the overuse
of these drugs. More importantly, they show how to build immunity, improve
resistance to infections, and avoid antibiotics when possible.
When penicillin and other wonder drugs revolutionized
Western medicine in the 1940s and '50s, it seemed as though every infectious
illness could be cured with a few pills or injections. But half a century
after it began, the golden age of antibiotics is ending with the alarming
news that the drugs that were supposed to save the world have instead spawned
an epidemic that may destroy it.
In 1988 in a New York City hospital, the first
strains of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) appeared, and between
September 1989 and October 1991, 38 New York hospitals reported VRE infections,
98 percent of which were contracted during the patient's hospital stay.
Soon hospitals in New Jersey, Connecticut and other states began reporting
VRE infections, and the problem quickly spread to other countries. VRE
infections are now a worldwide problem.
Nearly all VRE infections are acquired in hospitals.
The longer the hospital stay, the greater the risk. Although the risk is
highest in intensive care units, VRE infections in hospitals have been
traced to nearly every patient-occupied area. Individuals previously treated
with vancomycin or combination antibiotic therapy have an increased risk
of developing VRE. Those with a serious disease or suppressed immune system
or who undergo abdominal surgery are at increased risk. Most VRE infections
occur in patients 41 to 60 years old, but they can affect people of any
age. VRE infections are virtually untreatable using conventional methods.
Even if combination antibiotics appear to be effective, the patient soon
has a relapse more virulent than the original infection. A 1995 study at
Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York found that when VRE infections
spread to the blood (bacteriemia), the in-hospital death rate was 100 percent.
VRE infections are now the second leading cause of infections acquired
in hospitals.
Hospitals are not the only breeding ground for
new versions of old pathogens. As the New York Times explained on January
24, 1999, previously unknown bacteria and viruses are blooming in the earth's
warming oceans, killing marine life and threatening human health. At that
week's national meeting of the American Association for the Advancement
of Science, researchers reported that dying coral, diseased shellfish and
ocean waters infected with human viruses are symptoms of a rapidly growing
global problem. According to the organization, new studies show that vast
colonies of human viruses migrate regularly into Florida's coastal waters
from the state's 1.6 million septic tanks, and many people are becoming
infected with viruses picked up while swimming, windsurfing or boating
in infected waters. One study found that almost 25 percent of the people
using marine beaches developed ear infections, sore throats, sore eyes,
respiratory infections or gastrointestinal disease. Some of the viruses
detected in coastal waters are linked to heart disease, diabetes, meningitis
and hepatitis. “Most people who come in contact with these viruses do not
get ill,” said Joan B. Rose, a researcher at the University of South Florida,
“but of the 20 to 24 percent who do, about 1 percent become chronically
infected.” Rose's research team traced the migration of viruses from septic
tanks and found that pathogens infect coastal waters within 24 hours of
being flushed down toilets. Storms that churn ocean water speed the process.
Many of the viruses that infect humans directly or through the eating of
contaminated shellfish cannot be detected by the routine monitoring of
water pollution. Other researchers at the meeting said that the increase
in pathogens in the world's oceans may be linked to a 1.8-degree rise in
ocean surface temperatures detected in many areas. Warmer water kills algae
on coral, weakening the coral and making it more susceptible to infection.
more
- From Well Being Journal Vol. 9, No. 1 ~ January/February 2000
"It is ironic that this humbled fungus, hailed as a benefactor of mankind,
may by its very success prove to be a deciding factor in the decline of
the present civilization." - Dr.
John I. Pitt, The Genus Penicillum, Academic Press, 1979
Application of
Transfer Factor in Infectious Diseases
In 1949, Dr. H. Sherwood Lawrence made
a revolutionary discovery while studying tuberculosis. He determined that
an immune response could be transferred from a donor to a recipient by
injecting an extract of white blood cells (leukocytes) from a previously
infected, now healthy, subject into a newly infected patient. He found
that this extract contained a factor capable of transferring immunity.
He named the substance "transfer factor."
The
Germ Survival Guide recommends Transfer Factor
. This new book written by Kenneth A. Bock, M.D., Steven J. Bock, M.D.
is designed to give families and individuals preventative strategies to
use to protect against germs and environmental threats. Transfer factors
are extolled in the book as an effective way to optimize immune system
function so that personal immunity is at its best in the face of a variety
of health threats. In a clinical study, pediatrician, David M. Markowitz,
M.D. reports an 84% reduction in antibiotic use when children used Transfer
Factor.
Richard Bennett, PhD - "The immunity provided
by transfer factors is long lived and can help all
ages who are suffering from a variety of ailments or those who want to
stay well. The unfolding events surrounding Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome,
(SARS) is yet another painful reminder that we live in a crowded world
where continents are only a plane ride away. The SARS epidemic is only
one of an ongoing series of new emerging diseases. Our best global and
personal strategy is to do all in our power to ensure and support our unique
abilities of disease resistance and immunity” Dr.
Bennett is an Infectious Disease Microbiologist ? Immunologist, who is
enjoying retirement from a 21-year career with the University of California
where he specialized in food and water quality and safety. He received
his Doctorate in Comparative Pathology from the University of California,
Davis. He has an extensive background in milk quality and disease control,
water resource policy, food safety, public policy of natural resources,
etc. He has also served as an advisor for the FDA and USDA.
Rob Robertson, MD - "I believe transfer
factors are, without a doubt, the greatest discovery of the century
in supporting and modulating the immune system. I believe a strengthened
immune system will be the primary way to stay well in the future. This
nutrient can affect the immune system like nothing else can. I sincerely
believe everyone needs to consume this product." Dr. Robertson is a former
Emergency Room . He received his medical degree from the University of
Louisville School of Medicine in 1974. He served as the Director of Emergency
Services at Western Baptist Hospital in Paducah, KY..
Antibiotics
-- to Take or Not to Take? "Antibiotics Kill Your Body's Good
Bacteria, Too, Leading to Serious Health Risks" David A. Holland, M.D
Antibiotic
Crisis, Antibiotic Alternatives
Chaitow discusses the current antibiotic crisis in terms of the damage
done to friendly bacteria, the damage to our immune systems and the ecological
damage caused by the overprescription of antibiotics. Antibiotic resistant
bacteria (Superbugs) are proliferating, and it is time to consider alternative
ways of fighting infection. These include herbs like Echinacea, vitamins
and minerals, yoghurt and friendly bacteria, hydrotherapy, acupuncture,
fasting, other ways of immune enhancement,
lifestyle factors, detoxification and various mind-body factors. Stressors
that have a damaging effect on friendly intestinal bacteria include medicines,
drugs, stress, a high fat and high sugar diet, smoking, excess alcohol,
environmental pollutants, radiation (including X-rays) and immune deficiencies.
The book tells you what to do if you have to take antibiotics - this includes
supplementing with the friendly bacteria like Bifidobacterium Bifidum,
Lactobacillus Longum, Bifidobacterium Longum, Lactobacillus Bulgaricus
and Streptococcus Thermophilus. This is a practical and helpful guide to
all who are concerned about maintaining optimal health. The book concludes
with 12 pages of references and a thorough index.
Do
you have a question or need guidance? Patricia Wilson volunteers
her time to provide guidance and support in your quest to find relevant
information. She can be reached at 206-222-1619 or 281-581-2424
(USA) or
Antibiotics
in Animal Feed--A Growing Public Health Hazard
Currently, an estimated 70 percent of antibiotics and related drugs
in the United States are used in the feed and water of healthy animals
-- a practice with serious consequences for human health. Bacteria that
are constantly exposed to antibiotics develop resistance to these drugs.
When humans get sick from resistant bacteria, the antibiotics prescribed
are less likely to work.
Experts have long known that the overuse of antibiotics by doctors and
their patients has reduced the ability of those drugs to cure infections.
Now there is mounting evidence that the antibiotics widely used on farm
animals are also diminishing the power of important antibiotics to help
people. Giving animals antibiotics in their feed can cause microbes in
the livestock to become resistant to the drugs. People can then become
infected with the resistant bacteria by eating or handling meat contaminated
with the pathogens.
"Many
of us believe there is a tremendous overuse of antibiotics for animals,"
said Marcus Zervos, an infectious disease specialist at William Beaumont
Hospital in Royal Oak, Mich., who was involved in the Michigan case. "There
is some very strong opposition to our view that animal antibiotics are
undermining antibiotics for people, but this whole area has to be reconsidered."
Most of the antibiotics used on the farm are not administered to treat
sick animals. more
Urge
fast-food companies to stop using meat from animals raised on antibiotics!
The
time has never been better to urge U.S. fast-food companies to follow Tyson's
lead and establish strict antibiotic use policies with their meat suppliers.
Antibiotics
and Suppressive Therapies
Although the suppressive therapies are hard on the body, they do not
compare with he rampant idiocy of using antibiotics for viral infections.
Thankfully some measure of sanity appears to be returning to the medical
profession. More and more doctors are avoiding prescribing antibiotics
for colds and flus. Several critical observations must be made here.
First, antibiotics are totally ineffective against viruses. The excuse
most often heard for prescribing antibiotics in a viral illness is to prophylactically
protect the body against a secondary bacterial infection. This is an idea
proven to be false decades ago. In the United States, of the 5 most common
antibiotics prescribed, three are broad spectrum. That's a problem!
Second, the basis of antibiotics is mold. Through millions of years
of evolution, bacteria and mold have coexisted in nature - in the soil,
plants and animals. When one of them developed an evolutionary edge over
the other and began to shift the balance in favor of itself, the other
must have rapidly learned to defend itself against this new attack. If
this were not true, we would only have either bacteria or molds but not
both. By using mold, we thought we could slay one step ahead of bacteria
in the evolutionary scale because we're so smart. Well, the yolk is on
us, the bacteria are winning, and at a record pace. So in our attempt to
wipe out bacteria, we forced them into a revolutionary evolutionary change
and we damaged our immunity so badly that we become easy prey for viruses.
Additional side effects of antibiotics are immune suppression and the increased
susceptibility to parasites.
The long term effects of the breakdown of the immune system can be seen
in increased infections, auto-immune disorders and tumor formation. The
body's last ditch effort to compensate for the loss of internal defenses
is to hyper activate the depressed immune function. What it may do is over
stimulate the immune function, sacrificing the "self" - "not self" regulatory
mechanisms. The defenses then perceive its own organs and systems as "not
self" and begin to mount defenses against them. This starts the precipitous
march toward auto immune disorders such as SLE, MS, RA, and possibly CFS.
more
--- Why
elimination of the symptom is NOT the same as elimination of the
disease
Antibiotics
-- to Take or Not to Take?
by David A. Holland, M.D.
Antibiotics Kill Your Body's Good Bacteria, Too, Leading to Serious
Health Risks
"It is ironic that this humbled fungus, hailed as a benefactor of mankind,
may by its very success prove to be a deciding factor in the decline of
the present civilization." -Dr. John I. Pitt, The Genus Penicillum,
Academic Press, 1979
Yeasts are opportunistic organisms. This means that, as the intestinal
bacteria die, yeasts thrive, especially when their dietary needs are met.
They can use their tendrils, or hyphae, to literally poke holes through
the lining of your intestinal wall. This results in a syndrome called leaky
gut. Yeasts are not the only possible cause of this syndrome. Some scientists
have linked non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as naproxen
and ibuprofen to the problem. Given their ability to alter intestinal terrain,
antibiotics also likely contribute to leaky gut syndrome. In addition to
possibly causing leaky gut syndrome, I believe that parasitic yeasts can
also cause you to change what you eat in that they encourage you to binge
on carbohydrates including pasta, bread, sugar, potatoes, etc. So, it should
come as no surprise that weight gain counts as one of the telltale signs
of antibiotic damage and subsequent yeast overgrowth.
By altering the normal terrain of the intestines, antibiotics can also
make food allergies more likely. An array of intestinal disorders can ensue,
as well. Sadly, most doctors claim ignorance concerning their patients’
intestinal disorders rather than admit that the drugs they themselves prescribed
actually caused the disorders to begin with. Tons of antibiotics are fed
to American livestock on a daily basis, purportedly to proof them against
bacteria. This practice not only possibly contributes to antibiotic resistance
in humans -- many experts feel weight gain, and not disease prevention,
is the real reason antibiotics are so widely used. Fat cattle sell for
more than thin cattle. That’s all very well, but imagine what the antibiotics
thereby possibly present in dairy products could be doing to our children’s
health.
Probiotics
are the beneficial bacteria that are normally present in the digestive
tract. These bacteria are required for proper digestion, the synthesis
of Vitamin K, and the prevention of yeast infections and pathogen growth.
Studies have shown that the continual use of antibiotics has a devastating
affect on the immune system. Each time you use an antibiotic, the
immune system gets further and further suppressed. Antibiotic kill friendly
helpful microflora bacteria in a body, not just the pathogenic bacteria.
A healthy intestinal tract with a balanced microflora can boost the immune
system, keep pathogenic diseases of the intestinal tract in check. Probiotic
use creates an intestinal environment that can improve a user's immune
system. The intestines are the body's largest immune organ. It's a fairly
hostile environment and a well balanced system can relieve immunological
stress associated with an unhealthful system. This gives the immune system
a chance to enhance its capabilities in other parts of the body.
Probiotics
A Homeopathic Perspective
on Infectious Disease - Effective Alternatives to Antibiotics
Dana Ullman, M.P.H.
Towards the end of Louis Pasteur's life, he confessed that germs may
not be the cause of disease after all, but may simply be another symptom
of disease. He had come to realize that germs seem to lead to illness primarily
when the person's immune and defense system (what biologists call "host
resistance") is not strong enough to combat them. The "cause" of disease
is not simply a bacteria but also the factors that compromise host resistance,
including the person's hereditary endowment, his nutritional state, the
stresses in his life, and his psychological state.
"Back in the early 1800's homeopathy carved out a reputation for itself
with the extraordinary results its treating patients during epidemics.
The battle of Leipzig in 1813 caused an outbreak of typhus which Hahnemann
treated. Of the 180 patients he treated, only 2 died, the medical profession
had a greater than 50% mortality rate. During the winter of 1831-1832 a
cholera epidemic broke out in Europe. The homeopathic patients had a 4%
mortality rate compared to over 50% with conventional medicine. Excellent
results were obtained in all the following plagues as well. " more
about homeopathy
Ear Infections - Ear Tubes
Alternative
to Ear Tubes Stop Your Child's Ear Infections Naturally Without
Antibiotics
Two out of three infants receive antibiotics before they turn one year
old. By the age of two, three out of four children have received the drugs,
according to recent research. These findings are especially concerning
as resistance to common antibiotics is becoming an ever increasing problem.
Deaths caused by Staphylococcus aureus, the so-called superbug that is
resistant to most antibiotics, are reportedly increasing. Moreover, research
from a new study has shown that children from low-economic backgrounds
are more likely to receive antibiotics than those from more well off families,
and boys tend to receive antibiotics earlier than girls. Low-economic background
might be a factor because people from this group tend to have higher rates
of respiratory illness due to smoking and a lower likelihood of breast-feeding.
Antibiotics and ear tubes treat symptoms of a problem. They do not strengthen
the organism so that it can fight the infection itself, nor do they make
the organism less resistant to future infection. In chronic ear infection
it has become standard procedure for physicians to use ear tubes in conjunction
with antibiotics or in place of it. These tubes help drain the pus from
the ear, but this treatment only deals with the results of the problem;
it does nothing to Alternatives to Antibioticstreat the reason the infection
was able to spread in the first place. This physiological fact may be the
reason ear tubes have been found to be of questionable value."
learn about alternatives to antibiotics or ear tubes in childhood ear infections
Viral Management
in the 90's with Homeopathy
Are Antibiotics Making Your Pet Sick?
by Jesse Dallas , author of Pets
Need Wholesome Food Also
Richard J. Holliday, DVM - "Antibiotics disrupt the normal population
of beneficial microbes in the gastrointestinal tract of all animals, these
beneficial bacteria are the first fine of defense against most diseases,
without them the animal is more susceptible to other infections. Antibiotics
depress the immune system by decreasing the number of circulating white
blood cells. This lowers the animal's ability to fight infections. Some
antibiotics, such as chloramphenicol, can cause irreversible damage to
the bone marrow. Many bacteria develop resistance to the effects of antibiotics,
This resistance can be passed to other bacteria, The concern is that if
humans are exposed to resistant bacteria from animals then the use of antibiotics
may be Ineffective in treating any resulting disease. This is the major
controversy regarding the use of antibiotics on a regular basis in food
producing animals." Richard
J. Holliday, DVM
Diarrhea, abdominal pain, severe inflammation of the colon (colitis),
irritable bowel syndrome, skin problems, fever, elevated white blood cell
count, weak immune system, vomiting, dehydration, potassium deficiencies,
allergies, colon perforation, bad breath, excess stomach gas, yeast problems,
nutritional deficiencies and constipation are just some of the many side
effects and problems linked to antibiotics.
In 1928, when Alexander Glemming discovered antibiotics, everyone was
raving at this incredible breakthrough in medicine. However, over the years,
this breakthrough which was heralded with curing disease is now creating
disease and problems of its own.
Bacteria now has built resistance to many antibiotics. Hence, stronger
and stronger antibiotics are needed to do the job and if weaker antibiotics
create problems, can you imagine what more powerful antibiotics will do?
It's a vicious circle because ultimately bacteria will build resistance
to the new and more powerful antibiotics too! New forms of bacteria and
disease are being created. These new problems are very dangerous and the
flesh eating disease is the best example of antibiotic resistant bacteria.
Antibiotics literally means against life (anti = against and biotic
= life). In a healthy body, there is both good and bad bacteria in the
intestinal tract. There should be about 80% good bacteria and about 20%
bad bacteria.
When antibiotics are used, both good and bad bacteria are destroyed
in the intestinal tract. Once the antibiotics are stopped, the bad bacteria
grows back first and faster. The result is a very unhealthy and weak body
with no friendly bacteria.
It takes on average 1 year to recover from antibiotics if you are feeding
good food and supplementing with friendly bacteria. If the diet you are
feeding is bad, then your pet will take even longer to recover and may
never fully recover.
Antibiotics relieve symptomatic problems but after the antibiotics are
stopped, the symptoms come back. So what happens now? They give more antibiotics.
What's ironic is that antibiotics are then given to help combat the problems
that the antibiotics created in the body. Antibiotics are definitely over
prescribed and over used. Antibiotics for example do nothing for a virus
and yet are often administered anyway.
Hopefully soon, common sense will prevail and medical practitioners
will realize what is happening. But, it is up to you, the people to put
pressures on vets to become more careful about their practice of administering
antibiotics. In fact, encourage your vets to learn the alternatives. Make
them aware that there are side effects that can no longer ignored. Before
antibiotics, what did people do?
In World War 1, medics put garlic cloves, which have long been acclaimed
for their natural antibiotic properties, in the wounds of soldiers. Some
use bee propolis which has natural phagocystosis properties. Phagocystosis
is the ability to encourage white blood cells to destroy bacteria.
There are certainly many other natural antibiotics which have no side
effects (except bad breath in garlic's case). In general, natural antibiotics
only attack bad bacteria and leave the friendly bacteria alone. Become
aware that although antibiotics have helped save many lives, they are not
a cure by any means.
Conclusion
- The body should have 80% friendly bacteria and about 20% bad bacteria
inside the intestinal tract. After the use of antibiotics, the body will
have no more than 20% friendly bacteria and 80% bad bacteria if not more.
-Most illness, disease and problems begin in the intestinal tract. Thus,
antibiotics create the potential for serious illness to begin.
-You may not be giving your pet antibiotics, but if it has ever eaten
foods with preservatives, you have been giving your pet what I call 'hidden
antibiotics'. The job of preservatives is to control bacteria and once
your pet eats food with preservatives, it will ultimately have an effect
inside the intestinal tract too and kill the friendly bacteria.
-You should expect it will take at the very least 1 year to recolonize
the intestinal tract with friendly bacteria after the use of antibiotics.
-Recolonize the intestinal tract with friendly bacteria by using supplements
and feeding natural foods.
How to recolonize the intestinal tract of your animal with friendly
bacteria
Bacterial infections, stress, traveling, antibiotic treatment, poor
diet and a number of other factors can and do disturb the balance in our
intestinal tract, decreasing the number of beneficial bacteria while allowing
an increase in pathogenic bacteria. This increase in pathogenic bacteria
can result in gas, diarrhea, constipation, and other intestinal symptoms.
How do you know if your dog has a bacterial imbalance? If your
dog has bad breath, it has a bacterial imbalance. If your dog has
chronic flatulence, it has a bacterial imbalance. If a dog has colitis
or other kinds of digestive disorders, it has a bacterial imbalance.
If your dog has diabetes, arthritis or other debilitating chronic illnesses,
it has a bacterial imbalance. In fact almost all illnesses stem from
a bacterial imbalance in that the body cannot absorb the nutrients you
are providing thus hindering your dog's body in its quest for robust health
and vitality. Without excellent nutritional absorption, the body
eventually fails.
Probiotics
are a class of beneficial bacteria that promote health, balance and efficient
functioning of the digestive system. These friendly bacteria are normal
inhabitants of the intestines and help to digest foods by breaking them
down into their individual component parts, such as fats, amino acids,
carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals for absorption into the body. Another
function of these normal bacteria is to prevent or limit the growth of
unwanted bacterial pathogens including salmonella, clostridia and E-coli
that can prevent proper nutrient absorption, create intestinal disturbances
and eventually cause more serious illness. Prevention of illness by a well
maintained microflora balance is accomplished by a method referred to as
"competitive exclusion". That is, the good bacteria take up positions known
as enteric sites therefore preventing the pathogenic bacteria from establishing
itself and proliferating to become a predominant bacteria. more
"Dogs with chronic, recurrent ear infections often receive repeated
prescriptions for ear salves containing steroids
and antibiotics, but these poor dogs are rarely permanently cured. Experts
now recognize that many ear infections are caused by underlying allergies,
which might prompt the doctor to recommend diet changes, nutritional
supplements, homeopathic remedies, or any
number of holistic treatments. Pets with chronic skin disease and even
epilepsy often respond favorably to a simple change
in diet, yet many go through life living from one steroid or anticonvulsant
pill to the next, unnecessarily. Holistic medicine often gives a pet with
chronic or incurable diseases a new chance at health." AltVetMed
Note Feeding your animal a diet of raw
food (meat, fish, nuts, fruits and vegetables) will provide ample supply
of friendly bacteria. I noticed that dogs are fonds of rotten food items
from compost piles. The reason is probably because rotten food are rich
in friendly bacteria. I save all my "spoiled" veggies for my dog. The worst
it smells, the better she seems to enjoy eating it. To an animal, spoiled
veggies may be similar to what yogurt is to humans.
Shirley
Available
probiotics product and more information
"Our society has been conditioned with quick-fix and band-aid medicine.
We know from experience that this often times only gives temporary relief
and in fact can generate a rebound effect of symptoms or undesirable side-effects.
Complimentary medicine, in particular Homeopathy
and Herbs, can play a very large part in the
successful rearing of our animals. Homeopathy and Herbs are essentially,
natural healing processes, providing remedies to assist the patient to
regain health by stimulating the body's natural forces of recovery. They
concentrate on treating the patient, rather than the disease." Marina
Zacharias, author of Healthy
Breeding with Herbs and Homeopathy
Safe and Natural
Alternatives to Antibiotics
Infection Clearing up with Marine
Phytoplankton
My Father-in-law developed an eye infection due to cataract surgery.
He was under a specialist's care for over two months. He would go to see
him every day for a while and then every few days and he was using FOUR
types of drops in the infected eye every hour. Then the doctor mentioned
he might have to do surgery to "hopefully" correct the problem. We started
Dad on Marine Phytoplankton three times a day on a Tuesday and the doctor
saw improvement the following Thursday. Then the following Tuesday, the
doctor was very impressed with his progress plus my father-in-law said
he could see better out of that eye than he had in over two months. The
following Thursday, the infection had completely CLEARED up. The doctor
was so impressed, he told him to keep taking the "vitamins". He sent Dad
back to his original doctor and he released him because the eye problem
was completely healed.
Dr.
Jerry Tennant, M.D. says that marine phytoplankton
contains almost everything one needs to sustain life and to restore health
by providing the raw materials to make new cells that function normally.
Marine phytoplankton has been called "the most nutritionally dense foods
on the planet". Containing a
wide range of trace elements, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, chlorophyll,
enzymes and cellular materials, marine phytoplankton promotes and maintains
optimum health by boosting and supporting all systems within the body.
Its antioxidants and unique polysaccharides can halt the genetic mutations
that can lead to cancer. Both high levels of saccharides and adaptogens
increase energy and stamina by improving our ability to consume and use
oxygen. Adaptogens also improve cardiovascular health by strengthening
the heart and circulation. more about marine
phytoplankton's healing power
Infectious
Disease: Effective Alternatives to Antibiotics
"Are Antibiotics still effective? The period once euphemistically called
the Age of the Miracle Drug is now dead. And the indiscriminate use of
antibiotics is leading us to one of the most frightening eras in recent
memory. That is, the return of infectious diseases for which there is no
effective treatment. Two decades following the introduction of antibiotics,
the medical community began to see a disturbing trend. Bacterial infections
that were once treatable no longer responded to antibiotics. Penicillin
is effective today against only 10 percent of the strains of Staphylococcus
aureus that it used to eradicate easily. Those that did respond often required
five to ten times the dose of the drug that previously was effective. One
example of this is the resistant strains of gonorrhea that developed as
a result of the antibiotics that were used to treat it."
Michael Traub, N.D
"Officials from the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for
Disease Control have reported that the overuse of antibiotics in medicine
has created an epidemic of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Doctors fear
that if antibiotic use is not curtailed, we may soon approach the day when
untreatable infections are
rampant. "After 40 years of pushing antibiotics for any ailment, physicians
are now confronting bacteria that have built defenses against those same
drugs. Some infectious bacteria that were once treatable are stronger and
often deadly. The reappearance of highly infectious bacteria is caused
in part by the overuse and misuse of antibiotics, but the resilience of
bacteria also stems from the ingenious biochemistry of the microorganisms
themselves. To survive, microorganisms and fungi mutate into resistant
strains." Morton Walker, D.P.M.
Herbal Antibiotics: Natural Alternatives for Treating Drug-Resistant
Bacteria (also antiseptics, antivirals, antipyretics, anti-inflammatories,
and antifungals).
Echinacea/Goldenseal
Blend for the first sign of a viral or other infections
Designed to optimize the immune-supporting effectiveness of Echinacea
while tonifying natural body functions. This low alcohol, glycerine-based
extract is formulated specifically for use in dogs and cats, with
a sweet flavor that appeals to their palates.
Echinacea is used as a blood cleanser and especially for skin disorders,
such as boils and abcesses considered a valuable alternative to antiobiotics.
It
has a very strong immune-activating abilities as it activates the white
blood cells to fight off both bacterial and viral infections.
Modern
scientific studies now validate Echinacea's traditional usage as a topical
agent to help the body repair skin wounds, and internally to enhance the
immune system. The active constituents in Echinacea which are thought to
bolster the body's defense are known as polysaccharides. Polysaccharides
stimulate the activity of macrophages, white blood cells which destroy
bacteria, viruses, other foreign invaders, and even wayward cells. It also
activates the body's production of interferon, a specific protein which
protects cells against the invasion of viruses. Golden Seal is a
very important traditional herb. Golden Seal was listed from 1860 to 1926
in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia. It was primarily used for inflammations of the
mucous membranes. Native Americans used Goldenseal both internally and
externally and also derived a dye from the root. (available in tincure
or capsules)
Do
you have a question or need guidance? Patricia Wilson volunteers
her time to provide guidance and support in your quest to find relevant
information. She can be reached at 206-222-1619 or 281-581-2424
(USA) or
Richard Bennett, PhD - "The
immunity provided by transfer factors is long lived
and can help all ages who are suffering from a variety of ailments or those
who want to stay well. The unfolding events surrounding Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome, (SARS) is yet another painful reminder that we live in a crowded
world where continents are only a plane ride away. The SARS epidemic is
only one of an ongoing series of new emerging diseases. Our best global
and personal strategy is to do all in our power to ensure and support our
unique abilities of disease resistance and immunity” Dr.
Bennett is an Infectious Disease Microbiologist ? Immunologist, who is
enjoying retirement from a 21-year career with the University of California
where he specialized in food and water quality and safety. He received
his Doctorate in Comparative Pathology from the University of California,
Davis. He has an extensive background in milk quality and disease control,
water resource policy, food safety, public policy of natural resources,
etc. He has also served as an advisor for the FDA and USDA.
Rob Robertson, MD - "I believe transfer
factors are, without a doubt, the greatest discovery of the century
in supporting and modulating the immune system. I believe a strengthened
immune system will be the primary way to stay well in the future. This
nutrient can affect the immune system like nothing else can. I sincerely
believe everyone needs to consume this product." Dr. Robertson is a former
Emergency Room . He received his medical degree from the University of
Louisville School of Medicine in 1974. He served as the Director of Emergency
Services at Western Baptist Hospital in Paducah, KY..
where
to purchase Transfer Factor
GRAPEFRUIT
SEED EXTRACT
By Allan Sachs DC, CCN
"Grapefruit Seed Extract(GSE) is a broad spectrum, non-toxic, antimicrobial
product derived from the seeds, pulp and white membranes of grapefruit.
In hundreds of laboratory tests, GSE has demonstrated its ability to kill
or inhibit the growth of a wide array of potentially harmful bacteria,
fungi, viruses and protozoan parasites.
The American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association now boasts over
500 members as an ever increasing number of veterinarians incorporate holistic
health concepts into their practices. Many of these physicians have experienced
the same excellent results with GSE as reported in human health care. Consider
the words of Stephen Blake, DVM of San Diego, California. “I have found
it (GSE) effective in the treatment of Giardia, ear infections and superficial
pyoderma (skin infections). I have also used GSE to purify meat so that
I can feed my patients raw meat and not worry about food poisoning. I have
used GSE for canker sores, gum infections and tonsilitis in animals, as
a vaginal douche for breeding horses to prevent infection and to prevent
foot rot in horses.”
Philadelphia veterinarian, Dr Deva Kaur Khalsa, has used GSE extensively
in her holistic practice. Because ear infections in cats, when caused by
fungus, can prove highly resistant to treatment, Dr Khalsa was particularly
interested in GSE’s antifungal properties. She says, “GSE has proven itself
to be extremely dependable and effective while adhering to the criteria
of a natural, non-toxic modality.
Now that many professional have found GSE beneficial to cats, dogs,
birds and farm animals, we are hearing reptile and amphibian enthusiasts
asking how GSE might be of use to the furless, featherless crowd. It has
long been known that pet turtles harbor salmonella, a bacteria that not
only threatens the animal, but humans as well. Since GSE is effective against
salmonella in a laboratory setting, GSE as a treatment for reptiles is
an exciting possibility for those concerned
with our shell-toting friends."
There
are many herbs and essential oils that kill enterococcus, staphylococcus
and other bacteria as well as viruses, which antibiotics are unable to
treat. One of the most popular is grapefruit seed extract, or GSE, made
from the seeds and connecting tissue of citrus fruit. Grapefruit seed extract(GSE)
is being used to kill bacteria like Strep, Staph, Salmonella, E. Coli,
and also to fight Candida, Herpes, Influenza, parasites, fungi and traveler's
diarrhea. This has been proven in laboratories all over the world, and
is supported by feedback from doctors, veterinarians, farmers and consumers.
Non-toxic, biodegradable, economical, with no harmful side-effects.
There are many herbs and essential oils that kill enterococcus, staphylococcus
and other bacteria as well as viruses, which antibiotics are unable to
treat. One of the most popular is grapefruit seed extract, or GSE, made
from the seeds and connecting tissue of citrus fruit. Grapefruit seed extract(GSE)
is being used to kill bacteria like Strep, Staph, Salmonella, E. Coli,
and also to fight Candida, Herpes, Influenza, parasites, fungi and traveler's
diarrhea. This has been proven in laboratories all over the world, and
is supported by feedback from doctors, veterinarians, farmers and consumers.
Non-toxic, biodegradable, economical, with no harmful side-effects Natural
Solutions to Drug-Resistant Infections
GRAPEFRUIT
SEED EXTRACT: Available products and and more information
Healing
Power of Grapefruit Seed
FAQ's: Grapefruit Seed Extract
GSE in Veterinary Practice
The
Practical Handbook for Using Grapefruit Seed
Extract
to Heal Infections, Allergies and Much More
Colloidal
Silver: Antibiotic Superhero
Colloidal
Silver, renowned as a universal natural antibiotic and disinfectant
As an antibiotic, Silver kills over 650 disease causing organisms and
RESISTANT STRAINS FAIL TO DEVELOP. Silver is absolutely non-toxic. Silver
in its colloidal state is highly germicidal and has the opposite magnetic
charge to disease; it usually starts cleaning the bloodstream after 15
minutes of ingestion. Colloidal Silver functions to kill disease organisms
as well as stimulate the regrowth and repair of injured tissue. It may
be used both internally and externally, for humans and animals.
Externally, this water may be applied directly to cuts, rashes, burns,
and moles. Internally, it may be used for viral infections, throat and
respiratory infections, diabetes, Candida yeast infections, menstrual difficulties,
parasites, diarrhea, allergies, colon spasms, and low energy. Colloidal
Silver may be used as eye drops for retinitis (a disease of the eyes).
more
"The growing threat of multi-drug resistant bacteria is good reason
to think about colloidal silver."Professor Ronald
J. Gibbs has been the director of the Center for Colloidal Science at the
University of Delaware since 1981. He has published over 85 reviewed journal
articles and 5 technical reports, edited 14 books, and presented 61 talks
at national and international meetings. His book:
Silver
Colloids - Do They Work?
Note from Shirley: I save mucho
$$$ by making my own colloidal silver at home for my entire family,
including my dog Shasta, with an inexpensive Colloidal Silver Generator.
To protect myself and family against biological agents such as anthrax,
smallpox, and others, I add colloidal silver in all of our drinking water,
including Shasta's water. Anyone can easily make their own colloidal
silver at home with a small Colloidal
Silver Generator
Colloidal
Silver: Available products and and more information
The Colloidal Silver
Database Technical and General Discussion --- Step
by step how to build a colloidal silver generator
Colloidal
Silver : Making the Safest and Most Powerful Medicine on Earth for the
Price of Water by Mark Metcalf
The Colloidal Silver
Manual: Introducing the Powerful Natural Antibiotic They Want to Take
Away From You: FDA Acts to Restrict Information About Colloidal Silver's
Powerful Infection Fighting Properties!
Neem:
The Ultimate Herb The seeds, bark and leaves contain compounds with
proven antiseptic, antiviral, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer
and antifungal uses. Neem is one of the most powerful blood-purifiers and
detoxifiers in Ayurvedic usage. Over thousands of years, neem has been
used by hundreds of millions of people and no hazards have been documented
for normal dosages.
Click
to learn more
Neem
Extract:
Available products and and more information
Olive
Leaf Extract: The Total Antimicrobial (article)
Olive
Leaf Extract The olive branch, a centuries-old symbol for peace, may
contain in its leaves our best weapon against a host of disease-producing
bacteria. As more bacteria mutate and resist commonly prescribed antibiotics,
scientists are searching for alternatives. One option may lie in the leaves
of the green olive tree. Available products and and more information
Biochemist Arnold Takemoto: "it [Olive Leaf Extract] sure has power;
particularly against viruses that are more tenacious!" "It fills a hole
that we haven't been able to fill before. It gives us a new, effective
tool."
Dr. James R. Privitera, M.D., a physician in Covina, California,
began using Olive Leaf Extract early in 1995. "I think we are just beginning
to scratch the surface for what seems to be a very promising and
unique herbal with multiple applications," he says. "We continually
hear from patients about new and unexpected benefits. Although we do not
have long term perspectives as yet, preliminary clinical results are
very positive."
Dr. Phil Selinsky, at the Institute for Holistic Studies in Santa
Barbara reports: "Some patients have told me that Olive Leaf Extract took
down their dental infections in a matter of hours! The response is quite
impressive."
Tea
Tree Oil - First Aid for Humans and Animals
Tea tree oil is a non-irritant antiseptic, fungicide and disinfectant
of great repute. This first aid handbook offers a recipe for you to make
your own salve (See Section 3) aswell as many uses for tea tree oil straight
or in a diluted form. I have used tea tree oil on both of my dogs and cats
with wonderful results. For many years I raised Rottweilers, having as
many as 9 adult dogs at one time. Though I am down to one now, who is presently
12 years old, I still use the tea tree oil to maintain the inside of his
ears and for any insect bites he may acquire during our walks in the mountains.
Whether you use this wonderful oil on yourself or on your dog, cat or horse,
it is a valuable medicine in any home.
Tea
Tree oil is an effective bactericide killing a broad spectrum of bacteria
and a range of stubborn fungi. It is safe for healthy tissue and does not
inhibit normal cell growth and rejuvenation. Tea Tree oil is a powerful
organic solvent and will actually dissolve the lumps of white blood cells
which make pus. (just a few drops or half a dram to 8 or so ounces
of water)
The oil contains numerous chemicals known as terpenoids. The oil kills
fungus and bacteria, including those resistant to some antibiotics. A single
blind study has shown topical application of 5% tea tree oil in people
with acne is as helpful as benzoylperoxide and has fewer side effects.
Tea tree oil contributes to an extremely effective antibacterial shampoo.
more
about the antibacterial effects of tea tree oil.
FELINE WARNING! Many cat owners
claim to use Tea Tree oil without any adverse effect, however, there have
been reports from the US that Tea Tree oil is toxic, to cats. There are
unconfirmed
reports of cats which have died following the its use. In the US, cat
owners are advised to seek the advice of a vet before using the oil on
cats. A Californian producer of the oil was reportedly unhappy about its
Tea Tree product being promoted for use on cats due to concerns over its
potential toxicity. In the UK there appears to be no mention of possible
ill-effects or contra-indications and little awareness of its toxicity.
more
Tea
Tree Oil: Available products and and more information
SICK OF DRUGGING YOUR PET?
Dr Charles E Loops DVM - "After
10 years of traditional veterinary practice I became tired of having no
treatment for chronic disease, incurable conditions, and a plethora of
allergic maladies which seem to plague all veterinary practices. I was
frustrated with giving animals cortisone because
I had no other solutions, or using antibiotics
for infections which I knew were of viral origin. There is so much that
can be done for an animal, bird, or reptile that is ailing by utilizing
homeopathic medicine."
For years dog health supplies have included toxic
materials to artificially maintain dog health as a temporary measure.
The time has come to change to a more natural approach toward animal health.
Natural remedies have been shown to achieve more immediate, more complete
and longer lasting health, vitality, quality and longevity of animal lives.
Learn
about herbal remedies and other safe alternatives to drugs, chemo, radiation
and surgery
Michael Dym, VMD - "Over the past 40 years and 17 generations
of dogs and, cats we are seeing tremendous increases in chronic ill health
in our pets that was rare back in the early 1960's. Most of these illnesses
revolve around breakdown in our pets' immune systems, and include chronic
skin/ear allergies, digestive upset, thyroid/adrenal/pancreatic disorders,
seizures, gum/ teeth problems, degenerative arthritis, kidney/liver failure,
and cancer across all ages and breeds. We are also seeing a record number
of behavioral and emotional disorders including alarming and unexplained
fears/aggression., as well as difficulty focusing/training and paying attention.
The analogy of these compared with escalating immune/behavioral diseases
in children is quite disturbing. The two biggest factors in our pets' population
health decline over these generations has been the severe overuse
of multiple vaccines and nutrient poor and toxin
filled commercial pet foods. We have also failed to address the underlying
cause of disease by only sup pressing symptoms with antibiotics,
cortisone
and related drugs, so the disease progresses and goes deeper. Homeopathy
offers a viable alternative in truly curing pets and making their bodies
healthier."
Dr. Pat Bradley, DVM, Conway, USA - "The most common problems
I see that are directly related to vaccines
on a day to day basis are ear or skin
conditions, such as chronic discharges and
itching.
I also see behaviour problems such as fearfulness
or aggression. Often guardians will report
that these begin shortly after vaccination, and are exacerbated with every
vaccine. In a more general and frightening context, I see the overall health
and longevity of animals deteriorating. The bodies of most animals have
a tremendous capacity to detoxify poisons, but they do have a limit. I
think we often exceed that limit and over-whelm the body's immune system
function with toxins from vaccines, poor quality foods,
insecticides,
environmental toxins, etc. This is why we've seen such a dramatic increase
in allergies,
organ failures, and behaviour problems." (NOTE:
a growing number of holistic veterinarians use
Transfer Factor before and after vaccination to minimize the side effects
and help the animal recover)
Dr. Blanco, D.V.M - "You take healthy animals
and often very quickly after you vaccinate, you
can see simple things like itching of the
skin or
excessive
licking of the paws, sometimes even with no
eruptions. We see a lot of epilepsy,
often after a rabies vaccination. Or dogs or cats can become aggressive
for several days. Frequently, you'll see urinary
tract infections in cats, often within three months after their
[annual] vaccination. If you step back, open your mind and heart, you'll
start to see patterns of illness post-vaccination." more
about vaccinosis
Will Falconer, DVM - "Most of the chronic diseases we commonly
see in animals (and humans) have an immune basis, e.g. diabetes, allergies,
asthma, thyroid disease, inflammatory bowel diseases, repeated ear infections,
cancer, etc. While they can be cured through the careful use of homeopathy,
the road to cure can be a long one -- often years if the animal has had
years of disease. Transfer factors can significantly shorten the course,
by giving a much needed balancing effect to the immune system. If the immune
system is overactive as in allergies, ear infections, asthma, diabetes,
or hypothyroidism, Transfer Factor can balance this overactivity so the
system is not attacking its own organs, overreacting to things that shouldn’t
be perceived as a threat. If, conversely, the immune system is under-active
as in mange, parasites, viral infections, or cancer, Transfer
Factor Plus can clearly stimulate it to better meet the challenges
it needs to be alert to." Prevaccination
Protection Dr. Falconer D.V.M. explains how to protect your animal
from vaccines damage
Sam Jones, DVM - "Two cats, both about 8 years old, had severe
diabetes. It was impossible to get the insulin requirements adjusted. They
had lost weight to a point that they were skin and bones. Both cats had
no quality of life left. After one week of being on transfer
factors; we were able to get their insulin requirements adjusted. It
is now 6 months and they have regained their weight and have a great quality
of life and health."
Our
pets are prone to suffer from minerals and trace mineral deficiency. For
optimum health, I supplement my animal's diet (and my diet too) with the
following: fulvic minerals , marine
phytoplankton (consist of an immense arsenal and array of naturally
occuring powerful phytochemicals, biochemicals, supercharged antioxidants,
free-radical scavengers, super oxide dismutases, nutrients, enzymes, hormones,
amino acids, antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals), bee
pollen (rich in naturally occuring vitamins),
kelp
(marine plants),
the right kind of salt
(not
common table salt) and therapeutic clay (to
promote healing and to detoxify) and with omega 3
oils. Shasta does not drink
tap water. I give her only
energized,
alkaline microwater which is free from toxic chlorine and fluoride.
I never cook or warm up food in a microwave
oven. Please read about the Hidden Hazards of
Microwave Cooking. Shirley
Just like humans, domesticated animals like dogs and cats are affected
by the health hazards of modern living. Pollution, poor nutrition, stress
and unhealthy lifestyles can lead to a variety of illnesses and conditions
that are very similar to those experienced by humans. These days, emotional
and psychological problems like depression, anxiety, ADHD and behavioral
problems are just as prevalent in pets as they are in their owners. Similarly,
physical ailments such as diabetes,
arthritis, chronic fatigue, digestive disorders, cystitis, kidney and liver
disease, skin disorders, obesity, thyroid dysfunction and other problems
are becoming more and more common in domesticated animals. Many, if not
most of these conditions can be prevented by helping your pets to live
a healthier lifestyle. For pets already suffering from existing conditions,
a combination of lifestyle changes and natural medicine can work wonders!
Dr. John Hanover, DVM - "Young puppies and kittens with
respiratory infections are given Shipibo
Treasure Tea which they will lap up even when they will not drink water.
I frequently recommend Amazon Herbs for my patients, especially geriatric
animals and our Search and Rescue dogs.” more...
Dr. Jerry Tennant, M.D.
says that marine phytoplankton contains
almost everything one needs to sustain life and to restore health by providing
the raw materials to make new cells that function normally. Learn
how phytoplankton saved a dog's Life
Do
you have a question or need guidance? Patricia Wilson volunteers
her time to provide guidance and support in your quest to find relevant
information. She can be reached at 206-222-1619 or 281-581-2424
(USA) or
Water The Great Healer
and Detoxifier!
Antibiotic
Crisis - Natural Alternatives
