The Healthy Truth: Natural antibiotics

Dear Friends,

We don’t really want to admit it, but unfortunately cold and flu season is just around the corner. Now back to school, children are exposed to more germs, meaning, they are bringing these germs home which can get the entire family sick.

Any infection that is brought on by bacteria is often treated with antibiotics. But there is a flip side. Due to increasing (and sometimes unnecessary) use of these medications, some bacteria develop antibiotic resistance, making it harder for the drug to fight the infection. Case in point, over time antibiotics become less and less successful in treating bacterial infections.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that each year two million people are infected by bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics, and at least 23,000 deaths occur as a result of this.

As mentioned, antibiotic resistance has become so prevalent because antibiotics are often prescribed and taken incorrectly. For example, some doctors prescribe antibiotics for viral infections. Antibiotics do not treat viruses, but instead, bacteria in your body build resistance to the medication, so when needed, the effect of antibiotics is actually weaker. Some patients keep leftover prescriptions on hand and decide to take them whenever they feel sick without consulting with the doctor. Needless to say, there are many contributing factors to the growing problem that is antibiotic resistance.

The good news is, you can actually lower your risk of getting sick by eating foods that are natural antibiotics. Better yet, these won’t increase your resistance to bacteria but will keep you healthy instead.

Natural antibiotic foods

Here is a list of the top nine naturally occurring antibiotic foods that you can eat every day in order to prevent or treat illness.

• Garlic – contains components that are similar to penicillin.
• Honey – Manuka honey in particular has been found to have the highest levels of antioxidants and curative power.
• Cabbage – sulfur components found in cabbage, broccoli, and even kale help fight illness.
• Grapefruit seed extract (GSE) – GSE has been found to be effective in fighting off up to 800 different bacteria.
• Raw apple cider vinegar – this is a naturally alkalizing beverage, which can offer benefits to overall health. It is strong, so you may want to dilute it with water.
• Extra virgin coconut oil – coconut oil is also a natural antifungal and antimicrobial.
• Echinacea – stimulates the immune system and acts similar to garlic.
• Fermented foods – high in probiotics that help preserve a healthy gut and this way help prevent illness.
• Oil of oregano – an antimicrobial, antibacterial, anti-parasitic, antiviral, and antifungal. It does have an overpowering taste, but it comes in capsule form as well.

As you can see, you can incorporate many of these items into your daily diet to ensure your immune system stays strong and can fight off harmful bacteria that you may come across. Even at the first signs of infection, stock up on these items to kick up your immune system and lessen the duration of illness. No one has time to be sick, so be proactive and eat these foods to keep yourself healthy.

Until next week,

Emily Lunardo