Wall Street Journal, September 17, 2008
Virulent Foe Defies Hospitals’ War on ‘Superbugs’
Another complication of antibiotic use.
Clostridium difficile is an intestinal organism that causes tremendous gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, perforated bowels and death. When I went to medical school, it was uncommon and easy to treat. Today it has morphed into a more virulent form, does more damage, and is resistant to antibiotics that used to kill it. It is caused by antibiotic use that destroys the good bacteria in the gut, permitting this organism to get a foothold and attack the body.
According to Dr. Bessee (sp?), tens of millions of antibiotic doses are given needlessly in the United States. What a shame when one of them kills someone. There is no associated emergence of C. diff with the use of IV or oral vitamin C, citricidal, oil of oregano, astragalas. Probiotics at high doses would be most important in the treatment regimen, including the use of yogurt mentioned in the article. I would start the aggressive correction of the basic problem (good bacteria depletion) immediately, and not wait “until discharge from the hospital.”
80-90% of all infections can be prevented with an aggressive prevention program: eating real food (no processed food), taking strong beneficial supplements, and removing toxins from the body. Antibiotic use is rarely needed in healthy individuals.
My doctor says I can get all the vitamins and minerals I need from my food. What is your opinion on this?
I used to say the same thing to my patients, back in the days before I studied healthy alternatives. It is the party line of allopathic medicine, although that is starting to change. Here's the bottom line, and I'll follow up with some info on what allopaths are now doing:
3 responses so far ↓
1 Cara Patterson // Sep 24, 2008 at 9:37 am
Kefir is very easy to make (easier than yogurt). I have some daily and we rarely get sick.
Our HMO seems to publicly discourage antibiotic use, though I don’t know what actually happens. My concern is the increasing focus on immunizations. I have heard that the HPV vaccine caused more deaths statistically in Texas than would have died from the rare cancer it was designed to prevent. I have also heard that there was a suspected connection between “Gulf War Syndrome” and the massive immunization load required for deployment. Our friend in the military suspects her continued joint pain came from her anthrax shot. Mothers of autistic children additionally link these problems to immunizations. There is incredible pressure from doctors to receive an increasing number of these shots each year. I would like to know where I can find concrete and unbiased information with regard to the real risks. We had the missionaries last night for dinner. They each stated that their arms hurt for weeks after the numerous shots required for service (within the States!). One had tried to opt out, but was told he could not serve unless he received them. Our daughter also received numerous vaccinations to spend a semester in Jerusalem. She has had problems with fatigue, depression and hormone imbalances ever since. I don’t know if there is a connection, but the coincidence leaves me suspect. She has always had a healthy lifestyle, eats organic food and takes quality vitamins (habits which earned her the moniker of “hippie chick” at BYU, incidentally) Our son will serve a mission in three years. Are my concerns warranted?
2 Dr. Stan Gardner // Sep 24, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Cara, I have always recommended Stephanie Cave’s book, What Your Doctor may not tell you about Children’s Vaccinations. I have seen Dr. Tenpenny present on immunizations, and she does an excellent job illuminating the risks of immunizations. She has a book (and DVD) entitled Vaccines, which should be very good, but I have not read it. I am completing a review of traditional western medicine treatments and alternative medicine treatments, and the research behind them. There is far more research behind alternative treatments, and this review diminishes confidence in the whole standard medicine practices, policies, and everything they say is based on science. Your observations are accurate, and raise very good questions. It is a touchy issue. I will be addressing the whole immunization issue in a future article.
3 Bev // Nov 14, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Dr. Gardner, Thanks so much for all the great info. on your website. I have a question about antibiotics that my 14 year old son is taking for acne. He has been through 3 different antibiotics (on a continual basis) for the last 1 1/2 years. We’ve gone to 2 dermatologists. His acne is mod. to severe. He has taken
Solodyn 90 mg - 1 tab/day for approx 9 months, Amoxocillin 250mg tab - 2 times/day for approx. 6 months and they now have him on Doxycycline Monohydrate 50 mg cap - 2 times/day.
I’ve talked to the Dr. about my concerns about continuous antibiotic use and he said the dosage is so low it should not be a problem. “In over 37 years practice he’s never had anyone come back with a problem from taking antibiotics for acne.”
I’m still concerned, especially after reading your comments today.
I’d love to hear your opinion on this. Thanks for all you do
to help us all try to live a healthier life.
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