4 Steps to Help Keep Superbugs Away From Your Family

We live in a time where antibiotics are the answer to everything. Ear infection? Antibiotic. Sore throat? Antibiotic. Coughed twice today?…You get the picture. You schedule with your family medical doctor, you are examined for about 2 minutes, get a script, stop by the pharmacy, and on your way to wellness right? What if this common, seemingly harmless medical advice that we’ve been receiving for years, is drastically promoting the increase of super bugs and making our population, especially our kids, sicker than ever?

What are Superbugs?

With the epidemic of over-prescribing antibiotics, superbugs were born. Antibiotics, although in some cases can be life-saving, have been prescribed more and more with health conditions that they are not necessary. A virus, for example, such as the common cold or most ear infections, will not be touched at all by taking an antibiotic. But, unfortunately this is still the most common treatment. When an antibiotic is consumed, it not only kills the bad bacteria in your gut, but it also destroys the good bacteria. By killing off all of the healthy bacteria, the bad bacteria are able to survive, reproduce, and become immune to the drugs that are supposed to fight them off. This has become such a threatening issue, that the World Health Organization stated in 2014 that “this serious threat is no longer a prediction for the future, it is happening right now in every region of the world and has the potential to affect anyone, of any age, in any country.” Here are the 4 steps to help keep superbugs away from your family:

1) Resort to More Natural, Non-Toxic Antibiotic Alternatives When Possible

Most illnesses don’t require an antibiotic. There are cases where antibiotics are necessary, but most of the time there are natural steps you can take to assist your body to heal faster without the toxic overload and destroying the good bacteria in your gut. One of the best ways to help your body naturally kill a virus or bacteria is with essential oils. Oregano essential oil has amazing antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal components and is my family’s go-to oil when sickness arises. There are several ways to get oregano essential oil into your system. Always heavily dilute oregano oil when applying it topically. Oregano is a hot oil, and will burn your skin if not properly diluted. I put 1-2 drops of oregano oil in a 10 ml roller bottle, and fill the rest of the bottle up with fractionated coconut oil. We then use this roller to apply several swipes on the soles of our feet to support our immune systems. When sick, do this more frequently throughout the day. You can also add a drop of oregano oil into an empty vegetable capsule and take internally several times per day, or drink 1 drop mixed in an 8 oz glass of warm water. Oregano essential oil is extremely effective and works quickly without the risk of dangerous side effects.

2) Skip Out on Conventional Meat and Dairy

With the integrity of animal feed rapidly declining, factory farmed animals are becoming sicker and sicker. To keep these animals from becoming sick and dying, they are injected with countless amounts of antibiotics and other drugs. In an FDA Report in 2009, it was stated that approximately 80% of all antibiotics in the United States are fed to farm animals. We’re no longer “what we eat,” we are “what our food eats.” By consuming an animal full of antibiotics, you are also getting the effects of these medications. This overloads your body with even more antibiotics and contributes to antibiotic resistance. Choosing more plant-based options will help you avoid these unnecessary risks.

3) Avoid Antibacterial Soaps & Skincare

We live in a world right now where everyone is trying to live in an anti-germ bubble. But trying to avoid germs at all costs can actually cause more harm. Children need to be exposed to certain bacteria to help them build strong, healthy immune systems. When all of their toys and play areas are scrubbed down with antibacterial soaps, bleach, and other toxic chemicals, this actually weakens their immune system and increases the toxic load in their bodies. There also comes up the issue of triclosan, which is the most commonly used antibacterial agent used in products like hand soaps, make-up, and body wash. The FDA recently commented on the effects of triclosan on antibiotic resistance, stating “…laboratory studies have raised the possibility that triclosan contributes to making bacteria resistant to antibiotics”, and that “there isn’t enough science to show that over-the-counter (OTC) antibacterial soaps are better at preventing illness than washing with plain soap and water.”  So, plain soap and water is the best and safest way to go. Always avoid products that say “antibacterial” and also stay clear of the ingredient “triclosan.”

4) Get Your Family’s Spine & Nervous System Checked

This is the most important step that you and your family should do to keep your body functioning at it’s highest potential. The entire body is controlled by the brain. The brain sends messages down the spinal cord, out through the nerves, and to every cell, tissue, and organ in the body. The spinal nerves run through the vertebra of the spine. If there are any misalignments in the spine, this causes an inflammation response and causes interference to the nerves, which is called subluxation. By interfering with the nerves, it is not allowing the brain to communicate at 100% with the rest of the body. Having a chiropractor locate and correct subluxations should be your family’s #1 priority. Correcting subluxation allows the body to function and heal it’s highest potential.

My daughter was adjusted immediately after birth because I wanted her body to start functioning and healing at it’s best right away. The process of labor can create subluxation to a newborn because there is a lot of pulling and twisting when trying to assist the baby from the birth canal, even more so during a cesarean section. It is very common for subluxations in the upper cervical spine to cause symptoms like ear infections, compromised immune system, issues with latching while nursing, colic, and stomach issues. When you remove the interference, your body can fight off even more on it’s own which can help decrease the need for antibiotic overload. My advice when looking for a chiropractor is to find an office that treats children as well. If a chiropractor is checking children, then you can be certain that they are not just treating pain, but understand the importance that finding and correcting subluxation will have on a family’s overall health and wellness.

Implementing these 4 steps will have you and your family living a more healthy and natural lifestyle and will help keep superbugs from developing.