Chiropractic and Antibiotics

Antibiotics are possibly the greatest discover of all time. Medication that attacks and destroys harmful bacteria in the body at a time when the body is not able to do it on its own is a wonderful thing.  Antibiotics have saved countless lives and are one of the most important tools that doctors have in their disease treating arsenal.  That being said, it is a known fact that in today’s society antibiotics have become over prescribed, misused and over utilized.  There was a period of time when doctors would give antibiotics like candy.  Almost any visit to the doctor for a cold ended up with a prescription for an antibiotic.  Sadly enough, this was an abused situation as antibiotics do not treat colds.  Antibiotics are useless against viruses (viruses are what cause the sniffles and congestions of a cold).  Antibiotics only work on bacteria.  The most common reason a doctor would prescribe an antibiotic was “just in case.”  Just in case there was a bacteria in the body.  Thankfully, the last few years doctors have waken-up and stopped catering to the demands of patients who actually didn’t know better, but just wanted to feel better. There has been a widespread decrease in the unnecessary prescription of antibiotics.  This is very good news.  You see, the body adapts to the usage of antibiotics.  The more you take, the greater the body’s resistance and the less effective the antibiotics become.  This means that if you have a life threatening bacterial infection in your body, the antibiotic would not be able to help.  That is why it is important to limit antibiotic usage to absolutely necessary times.  Even though doctors are prescribing less antibiotics and contributing to the anti-antibiotic solution, there is a much bigger antibiotic usage problem.  Farm animals.  80% of the antibiotics given in this country are given to mostly healthy farm animals on a “preventative basis.”  Overtime, the prescription of antibiotics to farm animals is creating supergerms that are resistant to antibiotics and are putting human lives at risk.  Our government is not helping this situation as they are bowing to industries that profit from the status quo.  The only way to change this situation is to hit these industries where it hurts.  In the wallet.  If more people would purchase organic antibiotic free meats, industry would be forced to eliminate preventative antibiotics in the raising of their animals.  You can contribute to the health and sustainability of the human race by making better food choices, purchasing organic meats.  The good news is that markets like Shop Rite carry a full line of organic, antibiotic free beef, pork and chicken.  Even hot dogs and bacon!  Save the world.  Eat antibiotic free.

  Microbiologist, Martin Blaser has written a very good book called, Missing Microbes: How the Overuse of Antibiotics is Fueling Our Modern Plagues. Your thought of the week is his book title!!

 While chiropractic care is not a treatment for any disease or a replacement for necessary antibiotics, chiropractic care has been researched and proven to enhance immune system function.  The body’s immune system is responsible for fighting infections and keeping the body healthy.  Chiropractic care is an important part of maintaining a healthy body.

This is one of many reasons why chiropractic care is important for pregancy and children.  Drugs are harmful to the unborn child of a pregnant woman.  Chiropractic can help through all stages of pregnancy by enhancing immune system function. The same with children, regular adjustments will help to keep the child healthier and is one of the main reason some chiropractors have very large pediatric practices

Author

Dr J. Zimmerman, Chiropractor Dr. Zimmerman is a practicing chiropractor from Galloway, NJ with 30 years of chiropractic practice.