Here's the deal: Not only is trying to eliminate most bacteria
practically pointless but it can also be really counterproductive. Yes, there
are lots of bad bacteria out there, and they can make us very sick. But there
are also lots of good bacteria too. For example, beneficial bugs known as probiotics live in our stomachs and are integral
to the healthy functioning of our immune and digestive systems. There's even
some evidence that certain probiotics play a role in determining how many
calories our bodies absorb from food and send to fat cells.
When you take antibiotics to wipe out the bad bacteria, you end
up taking out probiotics, your best defense, at the same time. In addition,
overuse of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance — that is, the drugs
become less effective over time because the bad bugs figure out how to adapt so
they can survive. The best steps we can take to keep our immune systems strong
and to maintain a healthy microbial balance are to eat the kinds of foods that
replenish and feed our beneficial bacteria (like organic low-fat yogurt) and to
choose organic meat and dairy products from animals that have been raised
without the use of antibiotics. We also need to lose the habit of taking
antibiotics every time we so much as sniffle.
Reference: jillianmichaels.com
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