Super bugs are so called because of their resistance to well-known bug killers-antibiotics. The production of antibiotics, originally a natural phenomenon, has been taken to another level by human chemical manipulations. This had to be done because bacteria (the organisms we are referring to as bugs in this context), have developed the ability to survive the presence of these drugs.
In a manner of speaking, the more we develop super drugs, the more super bugs arise. Antibiotics are produced in nature by a wide variety of fungi and bacteria, and are usually effective in killing other bacteria or fungi. When, for any reason, they lose the ability to do so, modifications are made to make up for their ineffectiveness. As a result, the unending hide and seek between humans and bugs continue.
It would have been fine if we could use the chemicals that kill bugs in our toilets to also kill bugs inside our body, but no one in his right mind would do that, for the simple reason that they are poisonous to us too. But the specific mode of action of antibiotics is also what lends them to being resisted by bacteria that cause diseases. History continues to repeat itself, as the so-called miracle drugs continue to fail us. Obviously, the search for new and more powerful antibiotics is a continuous process. One surprising fact, however, is the focus of the scientific community on finding antibiotics only in soil-dwelling bacteria and fungi. No doubt, the soil is filled with hitherto undiscovered antibiotic producers, and by all means we should go after them. However, I never cease to wonder about the potentials provided by alternative sources of chemicals in green plants, for example garlic.
I am really dumbfounded about this very strong antimicrobial agent called allicin, which is present in garlic when it is crushed. It has very strong activities against both bacteria and fungi, unlike antibiotics which are usually effective only against a narrow group of organisms. This phytochemical is considered "food". It has virtually no side effect, it is even reputed to kill viruses! It may not be practical to eat as much garlic as would provide therapy against infections. For one thing, you will start to smell like garlic. But the active ingredient has been extensively extracted, deodorized and packaged. It is an over-the-counter oral antibiotic!
There will probably never be a lot of publicity for this cheap and effective antibiotic. No doctor will ever prescribe it for you, but you owe it to yourself to try it out. This is especially so if you suspect you have an infection for which the doctor refuses to give you an antibiotic, maybe because he thinks you don't really need it, or he suspects there might be some drug interaction with some medications you are taking. I will definitely counsel you to see your doctor for any suspected infection, since doctors are trained in such thing, but garlic is food. While drug interactions are minimal, it is still wise to ask your doctor about it. I often wonder if many deaths caused by bacterial infections could have been prevented had people given garlic a chance. One of my many adaptations to life's innumerable variables is the use of garlic pills.
In a manner of speaking, the more we develop super drugs, the more super bugs arise. Antibiotics are produced in nature by a wide variety of fungi and bacteria, and are usually effective in killing other bacteria or fungi. When, for any reason, they lose the ability to do so, modifications are made to make up for their ineffectiveness. As a result, the unending hide and seek between humans and bugs continue.
It would have been fine if we could use the chemicals that kill bugs in our toilets to also kill bugs inside our body, but no one in his right mind would do that, for the simple reason that they are poisonous to us too. But the specific mode of action of antibiotics is also what lends them to being resisted by bacteria that cause diseases. History continues to repeat itself, as the so-called miracle drugs continue to fail us. Obviously, the search for new and more powerful antibiotics is a continuous process. One surprising fact, however, is the focus of the scientific community on finding antibiotics only in soil-dwelling bacteria and fungi. No doubt, the soil is filled with hitherto undiscovered antibiotic producers, and by all means we should go after them. However, I never cease to wonder about the potentials provided by alternative sources of chemicals in green plants, for example garlic.
I am really dumbfounded about this very strong antimicrobial agent called allicin, which is present in garlic when it is crushed. It has very strong activities against both bacteria and fungi, unlike antibiotics which are usually effective only against a narrow group of organisms. This phytochemical is considered "food". It has virtually no side effect, it is even reputed to kill viruses! It may not be practical to eat as much garlic as would provide therapy against infections. For one thing, you will start to smell like garlic. But the active ingredient has been extensively extracted, deodorized and packaged. It is an over-the-counter oral antibiotic!
There will probably never be a lot of publicity for this cheap and effective antibiotic. No doctor will ever prescribe it for you, but you owe it to yourself to try it out. This is especially so if you suspect you have an infection for which the doctor refuses to give you an antibiotic, maybe because he thinks you don't really need it, or he suspects there might be some drug interaction with some medications you are taking. I will definitely counsel you to see your doctor for any suspected infection, since doctors are trained in such thing, but garlic is food. While drug interactions are minimal, it is still wise to ask your doctor about it. I often wonder if many deaths caused by bacterial infections could have been prevented had people given garlic a chance. One of my many adaptations to life's innumerable variables is the use of garlic pills.
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