Here a Bug, There a Bug
My, there seem to be a lot of pesky bacteria these days wreaking havoc on the immune systems of unsuspecting humans. Take the recent furor over e.coli-contaminated spinach. It was troubling, but it offers some productive (and non-toxic) food for thought.
Why, for example, did some people exposed to the e.coli bacterium not succumb to its effects? Similarly, when a class of third graders is exposed together to a strep throat infection, why do only some of them get sick?
Let’s begin by acknowledging that “germ theory” is not a fiction. And, yes, bacteria are at the root of many evils. But, we are constantly bombarded with bacteria, with viruses (and with fear about potential bacteria and viruses). We move from e. coli to Ebola to West Nile virus to Avian flu. Not to mention the seasonal “flu from somewhere.” Yet, as the above examples illustrate, the germ theory doesn’t explain everything.
So, why do some people get sick and others skate? Well, to begin with, resistance to disease is, to a certain extent, a product of our genetic inheritance. But there is much we can do on a practical level to be proactive and not simply reactive.
One thing that’s in our control is eating healthily. Think organic. Think fruits and vegetables. Think clean, grass-fed proteins. There are some basic supplements that are a good idea for most of us. Probiotics, for example. Let’s keep those friendly gut bacteria plentiful. A good multivitamin, especially if you’re not doing too well, or too consistently, on the “good foods” track.
And all of us would benefit from a regular “green drink.” We like veggie-based GreensFirst and its berry-based cousin, Red Alert. Both supply much--needed antioxidants. It’s also a good idea to determine to your individual areas of compromise or vulnerability, and to take supplements targeted for those conditions.
Why, for example, did some people exposed to the e.coli bacterium not succumb to its effects? Similarly, when a class of third graders is exposed together to a strep throat infection, why do only some of them get sick?
Let’s begin by acknowledging that “germ theory” is not a fiction. And, yes, bacteria are at the root of many evils. But, we are constantly bombarded with bacteria, with viruses (and with fear about potential bacteria and viruses). We move from e. coli to Ebola to West Nile virus to Avian flu. Not to mention the seasonal “flu from somewhere.” Yet, as the above examples illustrate, the germ theory doesn’t explain everything.
So, why do some people get sick and others skate? Well, to begin with, resistance to disease is, to a certain extent, a product of our genetic inheritance. But there is much we can do on a practical level to be proactive and not simply reactive.
One thing that’s in our control is eating healthily. Think organic. Think fruits and vegetables. Think clean, grass-fed proteins. There are some basic supplements that are a good idea for most of us. Probiotics, for example. Let’s keep those friendly gut bacteria plentiful. A good multivitamin, especially if you’re not doing too well, or too consistently, on the “good foods” track.
And all of us would benefit from a regular “green drink.” We like veggie-based GreensFirst and its berry-based cousin, Red Alert. Both supply much--needed antioxidants. It’s also a good idea to determine to your individual areas of compromise or vulnerability, and to take supplements targeted for those conditions.
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