Immune System Health - A Best Offense Is a Good Defense
Late in his career, Louis Pasteur, the “father of germ theory,” declared, “I have been wrong. The germ is nothing. The ‘terrain’ is everything.” What he was saying was that the condition of the body (the ‘terrain’) was a more important factor in germ-borne illnesses than the germs themselves.
If we think about this even a little bit, we can see it is true. During the worst germ-borne epidemic of all time, the Black Plague of Middle Ages Europe, millions of people died, AND millions of people exposed to that same contagion lived. Why is that?? Here is another thought. We take for granted that the infirm, the elderly and small children will be more susceptible to the flus that come around every winter. Why is that? Because their bodies has less internal protection. These are just two of many examples that could be cited that point to the fact that the condition, the health of the body is a major factor in whether or not we “catch” a disease.
For years most medical research and huge sums of money have been spent on studying “germs” and finding ways to kill them. But, just as quickly as we find a new antibiotic, the germs outwit us by mutating. Recent research is showing that different strains and aven different genera (example: bacteria and fungus) share information on how to survive between themselves! In addition, The October 29, 2007, edition of Newsweek reported that we have thrown our own immune systems out of balance with too many antibiotics, resulting in a sharp rise in asthma, allergies, lupus, irritable bowel syndrome, multiple sclerosis and other immune system-related illnesses that are virtually unheard of in undeveloped countries where antibiotics are rarely used. Many professionals would add that vaccines are also causing serious damage to our immune systems.
When we begin to take seriously Pasteur’s more matured conclusions and our own observations as noted above, then our whole approach to staying well finds a new focus. Instead of killing germs, we strengthen ourselves. We come to the conclusion that those who love football have the right idea: The best offense is a good defense.
Here are some things that both natural health and mainstream health experts suggest are helpful in supporting the immune system. Just because they sound simple, do not underestimate their importance!
FYI - Natural health practitioners will often use herbs and other plant derivatives because of their “antibiotic” characteristics. However, most plant-derived products do not significantly kill off pro-biotics. And because they are natural and contain many different compounds all working together, they do not have the same tendency to create “super-bugs.”
Late in his career, Louis Pasteur, the “father of germ theory,” declared, “I have been wrong. The germ is nothing. The ‘terrain’ is everything.” What he was saying was that the condition of the body (the ‘terrain’) was a more important factor in germ-borne illnesses than the germs themselves.
If we think about this even a little bit, we can see it is true. During the worst germ-borne epidemic of all time, the Black Plague of Middle Ages Europe, millions of people died, AND millions of people exposed to that same contagion lived. Why is that?? Here is another thought. We take for granted that the infirm, the elderly and small children will be more susceptible to the flus that come around every winter. Why is that? Because their bodies has less internal protection. These are just two of many examples that could be cited that point to the fact that the condition, the health of the body is a major factor in whether or not we “catch” a disease.For years most medical research and huge sums of money have been spent on studying “germs” and finding ways to kill them. But, just as quickly as we find a new antibiotic, the germs outwit us by mutating. Recent research is showing that different strains and aven different genera (example: bacteria and fungus) share information on how to survive between themselves! In addition, The October 29, 2007, edition of Newsweek reported that we have thrown our own immune systems out of balance with too many antibiotics, resulting in a sharp rise in asthma, allergies, lupus, irritable bowel syndrome, multiple sclerosis and other immune system-related illnesses that are virtually unheard of in undeveloped countries where antibiotics are rarely used. Many professionals would add that vaccines are also causing serious damage to our immune systems.
When we begin to take seriously Pasteur’s more matured conclusions and our own observations as noted above, then our whole approach to staying well finds a new focus. Instead of killing germs, we strengthen ourselves. We come to the conclusion that those who love football have the right idea: The best offense is a good defense.
Here are some things that both natural health and mainstream health experts suggest are helpful in supporting the immune system. Just because they sound simple, do not underestimate their importance!
- Find things that make you laugh (that one’s not so hard, is it?)
- Eat lots of organic veggies and fresh fruits
- Get plenty of rest
- Drink lots of water
- Do not stress your body with too much exercise, alcohol, coffee, junk food, etc.
- Stay home if you are sick (DUH??) (This one helps other people, too.)
- In any non-emergent situation, seek out alternatives to antibiotics. Antibiotics weaken your immune system in the long run. There are many alternative health professionals who can advise you about herbs and other natural healing products that have been found to be effective against MRSA as well as many other minor and serious infectious illnesses. Every situation and every person’s body and medical condition are different, which is why, unfortunately, I cannot give more specific suggestions here.
- If you have taken antibiotics (“anti-life”) several times in your life, it is a good idea to replenish your “gut” with the good guys ~ the pro-biotics (“pro-life”). Most bacteria and even some fungi are actually helpful to us. They are a natural part of a healthy body. Consult with your alternative health professional for advice on a good choice of product.
FYI - Natural health practitioners will often use herbs and other plant derivatives because of their “antibiotic” characteristics. However, most plant-derived products do not significantly kill off pro-biotics. And because they are natural and contain many different compounds all working together, they do not have the same tendency to create “super-bugs.”