Antibiotics, as we know are effective tools to kill bacteria that cause infection. Our younger generation is very familiar with this term. Antibiotics have saved millions of lives ever since the discovery of the first documented antibiotic, Penicillin by Alexander Fleming in 1928. Nearly a century later, with the over-prescription of antibiotics, discovery of newer antibiotics and even more novel uses of antibiotics, we have entered the scary world of antibiotic resistance.

Most antibiotic prescriptions are given for colds, coughs, fevers, that in reality maybe viral infections or allergies. What most people are not aware of is that antibiotics only work against bacteria. Not only is there an over-prescription of antibiotics, self-medication is also a huge problem in this case. If the cause of the disease is not even bacterial, why are we still taking antibiotics all the time? What does it do to our bodies? Most common viral infections are self-limiting and disappear on their own due to our body’s defenses. This makes it look like the antibiotics have “worked”. In fact, long-term damage has been done in our bodies without us realizing the effects.

Allergies are our body’s defense mechanism to different substances (mostly different proteins). Allergies go away when the cause of the allergy goes away. Treating allergies with antibiotics increases our risk of more allergies and ensures more intake of medicines. This also increases the risk for antibiotic resistance. In addition to antibiotics, many of the medications we take, have anti-microbial effects. Although not labeled as anti-microbial, they also cause damage to our long-term health. In order to minimize these harmful effects, it is in our best interest to learn more about the medications we take, the alternatives for these, effective prevention practices, natural options for managing and treating infections.

Allergies are our body’s defense mechanism to different substances (mostly different proteins). Allergies go away when the cause of the allergy goes away. Treating allergies with antibiotics increases our risk of more allergies and ensures more intake of medicines. This also increases the risk for antibiotic resistance. In addition to antibiotics, many of the medications we take, have anti-microbial effects. Although not labeled as anti-microbial, they also cause damage to our long-term health. In order to minimize these harmful effects, it is in our best interest to learn more about the medications we take, the alternatives for these, effective prevention practices, natural options for managing and treating infections.

Many of the synthetic preservatives that are used for food preservation also have similar anti-microbial effects. Have we given it a thought about what they actually do in our bodies? Again, they have a similar effect as antibiotics do. When we combine all of these in our daily lives, there’s an additive effect of increasing the damage we are causing to ourselves in terms of health.

When these products cause long-term damage to our gut, it takes a significant amount of time and awareness to restore it. It is important to understand the effects of all of these anti-microbial products on our lives and to teach our children to make better choices.

At Microbiome Superhero, we conduct outreach programs to educate parents and teachers about the effects of these medications on our long-term health and how we can improve our health by learning more about the effects of medications and preservatives on our health.

-Team Microbiome Superhero