What can happen if we abuse the use of antibiotics?

Antibiotics are fundamental to maintain certain infections under control and to avoid serious illnesses in humans and animals. Before the 1920’s people would die from diseases that nowadays can be controlled and prevented by the use of antibiotics. 

The word antibiotic means “against life’, which means that it will kill any germs that are attacking the body by causing infections. This is done by killing the bacteria or by restraining it from further reproducing in the body.

These all sounds marvellous, the problem is that nowadays there is an existent abuse of antibiotics that has created new problems for people and animals that has not yet been controlled.

For example, the animals we eat are given lots of antibiotics because they are maintained in conditions that are optimal for disease to rapidly spread. Those same animals then go into the food chain and end up in our plates. This translates into the fact that we are eating these antibiotic filled meat (fish, poultry, pork…) and it all adds up to the amount of antibiotics that we are already taking in our daily lives. Fast food companies actually have a very high amount of antibiotics in their food, which is something to be very alarmed about.  If you are eating meat, it is important to buy it from good sources that are certified to be grass fed and the animals are raised and treated in a humanitarian way.

Why am I telling you all this? Abusing antibiotic consumption can be harmful and can create future problems including:

1. Your micro biome becomes weak: Since we are babies, our body is in the constant search of microbes to populate the gut to help us strengthen our immune system, improve our digestive system and even help us with our hormonal system. Our micro biome is made up of an assemblage of microbes that compete and cooperate with each other to create that healthy gut bacteria that we desperately need to keep healthy. When it is destroyed we are more prone to disease and digestive issues.

2. Overuse of antibiotics can create resistance to some strains of bacteria: When we take too many antibiotics our bodies might not respond to treatment as efficiently when we really need to be cured from a serious infection. This happens because our bodies become resistant to some strains of bugs because they have already adapted to the antibiotics our bodies receive constantly. This is why abusing antibiotics on a daily basis, and eating food filled with antibiotics can be very harmful.

3. Antibiotics have been linked to weight gain: Taking too much antibiotics has been linked to weight gain and obesity in animals and humans. This does not mean should never take antibiotics. This means that you should only take antibiotics when you need them to combat an infection. Furthermore, having animal produce that has been raised with fewer or none antibiotics can be a great way to avoid this from happening. In all, antibiotics are not to be taken lightly.

There are many ways in which you can help your body to become healthier and stronger so you can avoid serious infections. For example, fermented foods such as sauerkraut, yogurt and kefir help to strengthen the bacteria in the gut, thus boosting your immune system. Furthermore, including a regular workout will also help you to become stronger and feel more energised to combat any possible diseases that might come your way.

Note: This article does not intend for people to not use antibiotics. Its purpose is to inform about the overuse of antibiotics, and the fact that they should only be taken when necessary.

 

 

Benefits of eating fermented foods

Fermented foods have been part of the human diet for thousands of years, there have even been findings that date this process back to 9,000 years ago in China and Georgia. In ancient times it was used to preserve food during the long seasons and between harvests. This would allow for people to have access to different foods all year round, without really knowing why. It wasn’t until the 1850’s that Louis Pasteur discovered that fermentation was caused by living organisms, causing food to change taste and appearance. 

In more strict terms, fermentation is the chemical transformation of organic substances into simpler compounds by the action of enzymes, complex organic catalysts, which are produced by microorganisms such as molds, yeasts, or bacteria. The process is made by breaking down sugar to alcohol, gases and acids with the help yeast or bacteria.

Fermentation is a practice that is still popular in many cultures around the world. These include countries in Asia, North, Central and South America and Europe. It can be made with dairy, vegetables, fruits, wheat and even meat produce. For example, real chocolate is made by fermenting the cocoa beans under certain atmospheric conditions that will help the process.

Even though fermentation has been present throughout time and in various cultures, people were not aware of the great benefits it can have in the human body. until fairly recent. Among the main benefits of fermented foods I can include:

• Improved digestion: Since the fermentation process acts as a predigestion to food, it makes it more bioavailable and your body will have an easier time digesting.
• Increased nutrients of food: Since fermentation makes food more bioavailable, you will get more nutrients from your food, comparing to when you eat certain foods raw or cooked. This includes dairy, fruits, vegetables, beans and grains.
• Reduced anti nutrients: Fermentation will break down anti nutrients such as phytic acid, oxalates, phenols and tannins. This will help increase the amount of nutrients you get from your food and will help the process of digestion.
• Great source of probiotic: Fermented foods contain many strains of probiotics that rebalance the bacteria in the gut.
• Supports immune system: Your gut needs to be strong in order to support your immune and digestive system, this is why including them in your diet is so important. Since probiotics help to feed the gut, this will in return reduce any negative reactions to foods and gastrointestinal discomforts.
• Save a buck: If you are in a tight budget, it can be a much cheaper alternative to supplements if they are consumed regularly.

In all, fermented foods are very important to include in your diet. Foods such as kefir, natural yogurt, kimchee, sauerkraut, tempeh, miso paste and kombucha are great alternatives and are easy to find in stores. Most of them you could even make them at home.

Now, it’s recipe time!

GLUTEN FREE KEFIR MUFFINS from Cultures for Health 

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 cups Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1 To 1 Baking flour (or gluten-free flour of choice)
• 2 cups milk kefir
• 2/3 cups honey or maple syrup
• 3 eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. sea salt
• 4 Tbsp. melted butter or melted coconut oil
• 1 handful of add-ins of your choice (diced apple, chocolate chips, raisins, orange zest, etc.)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 375° F.
2. Mix together gluten-free baking flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
3. Add milk kefir, lightly beaten eggs, honey and melted butter or oil and mix.
4. Add any additional desired ingredients such as raisins, chocolate chips, diced apples, etc.
5. Spoon batter into a muffin tray that has been buttered or lined with paper liners. (Silicone muffin trays are especially handy!)
6. Place in preheated oven and bake 15 to 18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center of a muffin.
7. Enjoy your delicious, gluten-free kefir muffins!