According to Dr. Harold C. Neu, of Columbia University in New York, bacteria that cause infection of the respiratory tract, skin, bladder, bowel, and blood ‘… are now resistant to virtually all of the older antibiotics. The extensive use of antibiotics in the community and hospitals has fuelled this crisis.’
Bacteria develop resistance to drugs when exposed to them for extended periods. Bacteria can also pass the genes for resistance from one type to another. A sort of information superhighway exists among bacteria that allow resistance to spread rapidly among bacteria that have not even been exposed to a particular antibiotic. These and other factors have caused medicine to take a halting look at the current way in which antibiotics are used.
Diet, lifestyle, environment, social, and psychological factors all influence the immune system in significant ways. When unfavorable changes occur in these areas, immune function may suffer and bacteria may more easily gain a foothold. Dr. Shapero promotes a balanced lifestyle for better health.