This time of year it is getting really chilly! Many of us are already coming into the season with compromised immune systems, as a result of pollution, chemical pesticides, additives and preservatives in the food supply, stress, lack of proper rest…and too many antibiotics!! I know it seems ironic and you’ve been told antibiotics should help you, there is more to the story. And just because you are not feeling well and your doctor may automatically urge you to fill out a prescription for antibiotics, I would think twice, and think carefully….
I am always shocked when I hear people casually mention, “I’m taking antibiotics to wipe out this flu I have.” Antibiotics are a BIG deal. Each and every time we are taking them, we have to think about it carefully. The remnants of these drugs can remain in the body for years and even decades. And in only TWO days of antibiotic use candida overgrowth can be precipitated in a susceptible person’s body.
The word “antibiotic” literally means “against life.” They kill not only disease-causing bacteria in the body, but also wipe out our friendly bacteria. The harmful bacteria in our bodies start to become overpopulated, and yeasts like Candida albicans can start to quickly grow. This is the perfect environment for them to mushroom their colonies!! You may not even know you have these growths in your body, but in varying degrees they can continue to the production of toxic waste products that circulate throughout the body, which poison and weaken both our immune and endocrine systems.
Guess how else we consume antibiotics? Through animal products! Factory farms widely feed steroids and growth hormones to chickens, beef, etc. to make them grow very quickly so they can be slaughtered quickly (and they can make more $$$$$). This is of course extremely unnatural, and all kinds of illnesses and sicknesses develop in the animals. The next step is to dose the animals with antibiotics so at least the illnesses won’t come to fruition and show before the farms have a chance to slaughter them and sell the meat— which is laden with steroids and hormones, which make us fat, and yes, antibiotics!!!
This is a very serious problem. Because antibiotics imbalance our bodies so much, over the longterm they can contribute to disruptions in our skin, including acne, rashes, psoriasis, fatigue, anxiety, terrible menstrual cramps, insomnia, chronic bloating, and more.
Well what can we do? Here are 3 immediate things:
1. Take antibiotics ONLY when you absolutely must. A lot of times, your body can heal itself when you are taking care of it with proper food, fluids and rest. When I backpacked the world for 3 years (on a tiny budget!), sometimes sleeping on the floor in bus stations in China, tents across Zimbabwe and the rest of Africa, in smoke-filled gers across the Gobi Desert in Mongolia, taking 16-hour bus rides in India crowded into the front part of the bus with the driver with 12 other people….my immunity system took a beating! There were a few times when I got sick, but I only took antibiotics once the whole time (and less than 5 times in my whole life). There were many other times when it was tempting, but I always took care of myself and many of the minor colds and sicknesses passed without the antibiotics- which would still be lodged in my body today had I given in!
I’m not saying never take them if you are truly ill, but remember that the body is an amazing piece of machinery that can heal itself from many things, if we give it the chance. Use your own discrimination and listen to your body.
2. If you choose to eat meat or any other animal product, choose grass-fed and organic. This is true for eggs, and same thing if you consume any dairy products (which I highly recommend NOT doing!! If you do, the antibiotics in the
dairy are the least of the problems). It gets really iffy if you eat out at a lot of restaurants, so it is best to find some restaurants in your area that you like that you know for sure source their meat from reputable sources. You won’t be damaging your skin and body, and you will also not be contributing to the horrible system of cruelty, misery and pain that is what factory farming is. You want foods that increase metabolism and that means from the ground with nothing but tender loving care.
3. Take a daily probiotic on an empty stomach. When you wake up in the morning is good. This will help restore internal balance.
Best wishes for you to feel to your absolute best!!
xx Kimberly
