Antibiotics and Best Anti-bacterial Foods

Imagine entering a battleground where shots are being fired from all directions but you come out unscathed because of your armour which can shield you against all types of attacks. The same holds good when we go out for our daily activities and our body has to fight against so many microorganisms like bacteria and virus. Yes, the threat of microorganisms looms large everywhere the moment you hang around outdoors. And, these invisible germs constantly attack our body.

We breathe constantly or take food. So, the chance that bacteria, germs and viruses may be inhaled or ingested into our body increases manifold and this can eventually ail us. As  a result, our body has to fight round the clock with these microorganisms. Now to thwart all the attacks of these organisms, our internal defence mechanism has to be always active.

Though our immune system is quite strong but it needs a kind of backup that can be given in the form of certain anti-bacterial and anti-microbial foods which helps our body fight off the attacks taking place internally as well as externally. These backups can come from certain foods which can work wonders for our body. These foods, some of which are anti-bacterial in nature, can help us in our fight against the attacks. These can act as antibiotics. When we take them in the form of some medicine or even in the form of certain foods protect our body case of any attack.

What Are Antibiotics?

Antibiotics are a type of medicine that is used to protect our body from bacterial infections. They stop the infection or prevent it from further spreading. Thus antibiotics help us fight infections caused by bacteria. Antibiotics come in different types. Some are broad-spectrum, which means that they can act on a number of disease-causing bacteria. On the other hand narrow-spectrum antibiotics fight against specific pathogenic bacteria. Antibiotics work in two different ways — by killing bacteria or by stopping the growth of bacteria. So, antibiotics play a pivotal role in treating serious infections.

Side-effects of Antibiotics

Though antibiotics are essential to protect our body from infections, but the antibiotics might have some negative side-effects too, like these antibiotics can damage our liver. And, in addition to killing disease-causing bacteria, antibiotics may harm healthy bacteria too. The medicines in the form of antibiotics might also have negative effects on the bacteria and other microbes present in our intestines. Further, excessive use of antibiotics can be a reason of antibiotic resistance.

What else to take along with Antibiotics

Sometimes, taking antibiotics can lead to certain serious consequences. So what actually can help us in these cases is taking of probiotics. Probiotics are actually live bacteria and yeasts which are good for our digestive system. Probiotics are actually ‘good’ bacteria as they help us to keep our gut healthy.

Taking probiotics can save us from the risk of antibiotic-related diseases. What actually is disturbing is the fact that as probiotics are mostly bacteria themselves, so these probiotics might actually be the target of antibiotics too, if we take antibiotics and probiotics together. Thus, it is better to avoid taking both the medicines at the same. Maintaining certain gap between the antibiotics and probiotics optimizes our benefit of using medication and so it is important to take antibiotics and probiotics at different times.

How effective are natural antibiotics?

Antibiotics are used to prevent bacterial growth. Actually, antibiotics have been used by us since ages. The antibiotics were easily found from natural sources. Many plant extracts, oils and foods possess antibiotic properties. For example, some food and vegetable extracts can prevent the growth of bacteria. So, here we have brought for you certain foods which have antibiotic properties and taking these foods can actually help us thwart attack of bacterial infection.

1. Honey: Honey is the best antibacterial food found naturally. It is also rich in sugar which stops the growth of certain bacteria. As honey has very low pH level, so it can pull moisture away from bacteria and as a result bacteria dehydrates and dies. When applied on the wound, it quickly heals wound too.

2. Garlic: Garlic is believed to have antimicrobial properties. It acts against bacteria.

3. Turmeric: This essential ingredient of kitchen has medicinal properties also. Turmeric has been known as antiseptic and it is used to heal wounds and cuts. But it is also a good anti-bacterial food which keeps our internal systems clean. Taking a glass of turmeric milk is good way to boost our immunity.

4. Lemon: Lemon has anti-bacterial and ant-fungal properties. It is rich in Vitamin C, which is why it acts as an antioxidant which fights against free radicals in our body.

5. Ginger: Ginger is an excellent home remedy for cold and the flu. Ginger juice cure cough and kill the bacteria in throat infections. This natural antibiotic can be added to our tea and curries.

6. Pineapple: Pineapple has anti-bacterial properties that helps us protect from mouth and throat infection. Pineapple juice reduces inflammation of sinuses.

7. Coconut Oil: Coconut oil fights against different types of bacteria and viruses. It helps fight skin infections.

 

(The content of this article is for informational purpose only. It cannot be a substitute for advice from a medical practitioner. Read DISCLAIMER for more…)