Rise of the Superbugs
August 17, 2013
Story at-a-glance
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The documentary Rise of the Superbugs details why antibiotic
overuse is leading to the emergence of deadly superbugs
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New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase 1, or NDM-1, is a gene that
confers ‘super resistance’ to a growing number of lethal
antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections in India and at
least 35 other countries
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Extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR TB), which has
a 40 percent mortality rate, is also on the rise around the
globe
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Drug companies have little financial incentives to create
new antibiotics to replace those that germs have grown
resistant to, therefore few new alternatives are in the
works
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We’re now facing the perfect storm to take us back to the
pre-antibiotic age, and if this occurs significant
casualties are to be expected. Thankfully, there is a lot
you can do to take control of your health and fend infection
off naturally.
By Dr. Mercola
Antibiotic overuse is a major threat to public health, and
after watching the documentary Rise of the Superbugs,
you’ll understand exactly why.
Diseases that were deadly prior to the invention of
modern-day antibiotics are now coming back with a vengeance,
having developed resistance to these once foolproof treatments.
First it was MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus), once rare but now far too commonplace in medical
settings, but now antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections like
multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (TB), meningitis and others are
spreading around the globe.
NDM-1: The Indian Superbug That Could Unleash a New
Drug-Resistant Epidemic
Antibiotic overuse is rampant all over the world, including
in India where antibiotics are available for low cost and
without a prescription. There, it’s estimated that more than
half of bacterial infections in Indian hospitals are resistant
to commonly used antibiotics, and many are also resistant to the
more powerful, broad-spectrum antibiotics.1
A growing number of infections, however, now carry a gene
called "New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase 1," or NDM-1 that
confers ‘super resistance’ to conventional antibiotics.
Resistant to carbapenems, powerful “last-resort” intravenous
antibiotics as well as at least 14 other antibiotics, NDM-1 is
virtually unstoppable… and it’s not staying in India, either.
Already, NDM-1 bacteria have been found in drinking water
around New Delhi and in patients in over 35 countries, many of
them ‘medical tourists’ who traveled to India for medical care
then returned home to Europe, the Middle East and the Americas.2
As explained in Rise of the Superbugs, it takes just
one or two such ‘bugs’ to transfer horizontally the genetic
material that can turn other bacteria in your body into
superbugs. It's very similar to what happens when you
accidentally include a red shirt in the wash with your whites.
Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis Is Spreading
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the first
reports of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis, or XDR TB,
began surfacing in 2006.3
Since then, cases have been on the rise, and the documentary
highlights Papua New Guinea, an area where rates are
particularly high (and at least one case has already transferred
to neighboring Australia).
While one of the prevailing explanations for why multi-drug
resistant TB (MDR TB) and XDR TB are more common is by not
taking TB medications regularly, it is likely that it is the
excessive use of conventional anti-tubercular agents that has
driven multi- and drug-resistance; or conversely, not developing
natural anti-tubercular agents which pathogens are less likely
to develop resistance to, such as garlic.4
Infection control measures are also often lacking in the area
hospitals, allowing XDR TB to spread to others in hospital wards
more easily. So far the incidence of this disease is still rare,
but it’s not set to stay this way for long. As the US Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated:5
“As long as XDR TB exists, the risk to people in the
United States is not zero, and the U.S. public health system
must address the threat.”
Between 1993 and 2011, there have been 63 cases of XDR TB in
the US. The disease already has a mortality rate of more than 40
percent and the concern is that within the next decade totally
drug-resistant TB may become the new reality, with no form of
treatment available. And, although not mentioned in the
documentary, WHO now also recognizes drug-resistant
gonorrhea as "an emergency," with several countries,
including Australia, France, Japan, Norway, Sweden and the
United Kingdom, experiencing increasing infections.
Natural Approaches to Treat Infections
Interestingly, before the advent of TB antibiotics, TB was
successfully treated by gradually exposing patients to
progressively increasing doses of sunshine in sanatoriums. Of
course, this increased their vitamin D production, which we now
know has potent antibiotic qualities. So rather than relying on
some new potent magic bullet to kill these bugs, maximizing a
person’s immune response through sun exposure and optimizing
their diet is a powerful strategy.
Is the End of Antibiotics Near?
This is the direction we seem to be heading, if urgent action
isn’t taken to curb antibiotic overuse. Bacteria are, in
essence, hard-wired to adapt to threats such as antibiotics and,
at such point in time when they adapt to resist all of them,
infections that were once easily treated will undoubtedly return
with renewed force.
Drug companies have little financial incentive to produce new
antibiotics, as most patients take them for a week or two and
that’s it. They don’t make nearly the profits of medications
meant to be taken for a lifetime, such as cholesterol-lowering
medications. So new ‘miracle’ drugs that can replace the
antibiotics that are quickly dropping off the usefulness
spectrum are few and far between. We’re now facing the perfect
storm to take us back to the pre-antibiotic age, and if this
occurs significant casualties are to be expected... Numerous
bacteria are already resistant to many commonly prescribed
antibiotics, including:
Acinetobacter: A bacteria found in soil
and water that often causes infections in seriously ill
hospital patients. |
Anthrax: Spread by infected animals or
potentially bioterrorist weapons. |
Group B streptococcus: A common
bacteria in newborns, the elderly and adults with other
illnesses. |
Klebsiella pneumonia: A bacteria that
can lead to pneumonia, bloodstream infections, wound and
surgical site infections and meningitis. |
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA): A superbug that can be so difficult to
treat, it can easily progress from a superficial skin
infection to a life-threatening infection in your bones,
joints, bloodstream, heart valves, lungs, or surgical
wounds. |
Neisseria meningitides: One of the
leading causes of bacterial meningitis in children and
young adults. |
Shigella: An infectious disease caused
by Shigella bacteria. |
Streptococcus pneumoniae: A leading
cause of pneumonia, bacteremia, sinusitis, and acute
otitis media (AOM). |
Tuberculosis (TB): Both "multi-drug
resistant" and "extensively drug-resistant" forms of TB
are now being seen. |
Typhoid fever: A life-threatening
illness caused by the Salmonella Typhi bacteria. |
Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE):
Infection with the enteroccocci bacteria that often
occurs in hospitals and is resistant to vancomycin, an
antibiotic. |
Vancomycin-Intermediate/Resistant Staphylococcus
aureus (VISA/VRSA): Various strains of staph
bacteria that are resistant to vancomycin. |
This Is a Major Reason to Avoid Hospitals as Much as Possible
In many cases, hospitalization, surgery or the use of medical
devices like ventilators or catheters are implicated in the
spread of drug-resistant superbugs. The infection is spread by
contaminated medical equipment and by physical contact between
patients and healthcare personnel. Many superbugs are growing
increasingly resistant to the standard sterilization procedures
used on medical equipment.
Medical procedures can also be to blame, such as the prostate
biopsy mentioned in the documentary. Even though the patient was
taking precautionary antibiotics for the procedure, they didn’t
work and he ended up with a drug-resistant form of E. coli
attacking his entire body and threatening his life.
In the US, more than 2 million people are affected by
hospital-acquired infections, many of them drug-resistant, every
year, and 100,000 people die as a result. This is one reason why
it’s best to avoid hospitals except when absolutely necessary.
And if you do end up in one, help minimize your exposure to
infectious agents by insisting that all medical personnel and
visitors wash their hands before touching you or handling
medical equipment that will touch you. Also refrain from
touching other patients, and if you do, make sure your hands are
clean. Wash you hands often, including:
- After using the restroom.
- Before preparing or eating food.
- Before touching your eyes, nose, or mouth, and after
coughing or sneezing or blowing your nose.
- Before and after touching wound dressings or bandages.
- After touching hospital surfaces such as bed rails,
bedside tables, doorknobs, remote controls, or your phone.
Agricultural Antibiotic Use Is an Often-Overlooked Problem
The other variable that needs to be addressed is the
elimination of antibiotics as growth stimulants to animals. The
US uses nearly 30 million pounds of antibiotics annually in food
production. Livestock antibiotic use accounts for 80 percent of
the total antibiotics sold in the US and the vast majority of
those are not given to treat infections but to stimulate growth.
Compare this to the 6 million pounds of antibiotics that are
used for every man, woman and child in the US combined. CAFOs
(concentrated animal feeding operations), in particular, are
hotbeds for breeding antibiotic-resistant bacteria because of
the continuous feeding of low doses of antibiotics to
the animals, which allows pathogens to survive, adapt, and
eventually, thrive.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)
ruled that antibiotic resistance is a major threat to public
health, worldwide, and the primary cause for this man-made
epidemic is the widespread misuse of antibiotics.6
Already in the US, research has been published showing that CAFO
workers were found to be carrying pig MRSA, and that farmers at
pig farms that use antibiotics are more likely to contract MRSA
from the pigs than workers at antibiotic-free farms.7
Writing in the British Medical Journal (BMJ),8
David Wallinga, MD, Senior Advisor in Science, Food and Health
with the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy argues that
the routine addition of antibiotics to animal feed is not a
necessary component for animal feed and is contributing to a
coming ‘catastrophe’ of antibiotic resistance. Unfortunately,
the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has continually fallen
short in this regard. Instead of enforcing stricter regulations,
the agency has simply asked food producers to voluntarily
limit their use of certain antibiotics.
What Can You Do to Make Your Body Less Hospitable to Superbugs?
You can help yourself and your community by only purchasing
antibiotic-free meats and other foods, and using antibiotics
only when absolutely necessary. This is an important step that I
urge everyone to take, even though ultimately the problem of
antibiotic-resistance needs to be stemmed on a nationwide level.
And avoid sugar as that will tend to imbalance your gut flora,
which is one of your primary defenses against infections.
That said, your lifestyle choices are the most critical
factors in determining the health of your immune system, which
determines your ability to resist infections. The stronger your
immune defenses, the less chance a microbe will have of gaining
a foothold in some part of your body. Below are some basic
strategies for supercharging your immune system. You may also
want to download my free special report about how to protect
yourself from
super germs.
- Optimize your
diet. Avoid foods that
tax your immune system such as synthetic trans fats, fried
foods, processed foods, sugar and grains; reduce
carbohydrates (sugar, grains, fructose) and protein,
replacing them with high-quality fats. Fifty to 70 percent
of your total intake should be fat. Most of your diet should
be fresh, whole foods, like organic vegetables and
grass-pastured meats and dairy, and beneficial fats, such as
butter and fermented dairy from grass-pastured animals,
cheese, egg yolks, and avocados.
A great portion of your immune system resides in your GI
tract, which depends on a healthy, balanced gut flora. One
of the best ways to support this is by incorporating
naturally
fermented foods into your diet, working up to 4-6 ounces
per day. One large serving of several ounces of fermented
foods can supply you with around 10 trillion beneficial
bacteria, which is about 10 percent of the population of
your gut.
The best way to learn how to ferment foods properly is to
get the
GAPS book or listen to my interview with
Caroline Barringer. You can take a high-quality
probiotic supplement, but the actual fermented foods offer
the highest benefit.
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Exercise regularly.
Exercise improves the circulation of immune cells in your
blood. The better these cells circulate, the more efficient
your immune system is at locating and eliminating pathogens
in your body. Make sure your fitness plan incorporates
weight training, high-intensity exercises, stretching and
core work.
- Get plenty of restorative
sleep. Recent research
shows
sleep deprivation has the same effect on your immune
system as physical stress or disease, which is why you may
feel ill after a sleepless night.
- Have good
stress-busting outlets.
High levels of stress hormones can diminish your immunity,
so be sure you’re implementing some sort of stress
management. Meditation, prayer, yoga, and
Emotional Freedom
Techniques (EFT) are all excellent strategies for
managing stress, but you’ll have to find what works best for
you.
- Optimize your
vitamin D levels.
Studies have shown that inadequate vitamin D can increase
your risk for
MRSA and other infections, which can likely be extended
to other superbugs. Your best source of vitamin D is through
exposing your skin to the sun or using a safe tanning bed.
Monitor your vitamin D levels to confirm they’re in the
therapeutic range, 50-70 ng/ml. If you can’t get UV
exposure, consider taking an oral vitamin D supplement.
In addition to the basic lifestyle measures listed above,
there are natural agents that science has shown to be
naturally antibacterial. The following deserve special
mention.
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Vitamin C. Vitamin C’s
role in preventing and treating infectious disease is well
established. Intravenous vitamin C is an option, but if you
don’t have access to a practitioner who can administer it,
liposomal vitamin C is the most potent oral form. For more
information on vitamin C, listen to my interview with
Dr. Ronald Hunninghake, an internationally recognized
vitamin C expert. If you choose to supplement with vitamin
C, liposomal C seems to be the best form to use.
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Garlic. Garlic is a
powerful antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal. It can
stimulate your immune system, help wounds heal, and kill
antibiotic-resistant bacteria (including MRSA and multi-drug
resistant tuberculosis), plus it has shown more than 100
other health promoting properties.9
For highest potency, the garlic should be eaten fresh and
raw (chopped or smashed.)
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Olive leaf extract. In
vitro studies show olive leaf extract is effective against
Klebsiella, a gram-negative bacteria, inhibiting
its replication, in addition to being toxic to other
pathogenic microbes.
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Manuka honey. Manuka
honey, made from the flowers and pollen of the Manuka bush,
has been shown to be more effective than antibiotics in the
treatment of serious, hard-to-heal skin infections. Clinical
trials have found Manuka honey can effectively eradicate
more than 250 clinical strains of bacteria, including
resistant varieties such as MRSA.
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Tea tree oil. Tea tree
oil is a natural antiseptic proven to kill many bacterial
strains (including MRSA).10
- Colloidal silver. Colloidal silver has
been regarded as an effective natural antibiotic for
centuries, and recent research shows it can even help
eradicate antibiotic-resistant pathogens. If you are
interested in this treatment, make sure you read the latest
guidelines for safe usage of
colloidal silver as there are risks with using it
improperly.
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Copper. Replacing
fixtures with certain copper alloys can help kill bacteria,
even superbugs. Installing copper faucets, light switches,
toilet seats and push plates in germ-infested areas such as
hospitals and nursing homes could potentially save thousands
of lives each year.
© Copyright 1997-2013 Dr. Joseph Mercola. All Rights Reserved.
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