What Health Practitioners Wish You Knew about “Germs” & the Immune System: Part 3
Antimicrobials
In the third and final installment of this series, I will be going over some safe and effective options for utilizing antimicrobials to protect ourselves against viruses and other infections, WITHOUT disrupting our innate immune response.
Simply put, an “antimicrobial” is an agent that kills microorganisms, or inhibits their growth, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and yeast. Included in the category of antimicrobials are prescription antibiotics, Povidone-iodine, hydrogen peroxide, and bleach, as well as some natural products such as oregano oil, colloidal silver, garlic, ginger, grapefruit seed, manuka honey, and others.
As I explained in Part 1 of this series, the human body is a walking, talking ecosystem of microorganisms, and this ecosystem is more diverse than the Amazon rainforest. All of these bacteria, yeast, fungi, and other organisms exist in a delicate balance within our system, and all have important roles to play. One of their primary functions is supporting our immune system.
Essentially, when we over-utilize – or misuse – antimicrobials in an effort to kill off harmful pathogens, it is something akin to carpet-bombing an entire metropolis in hopes of targeting one terrorist. Needless to say, this often does more harm than good. As with anything, the decision to use antimicrobials is a risk vs. reward situation. If you have good reason to believe you have come in contact with a dangerous pathogen, have an infection brewing somewhere in your body, or are around or caring for others who are sick, these are all situations which may warrant the (appropriate) use of antimicrobials. Just using them out of baseless fear, however, is likely to do more damage than it’s worth.
Too often, I see clients or customers blindly following the advice of YouTube “doctors” or other social media “experts” (most of whom have little-to-no qualifications in virology or even health care, nor validated evidence or credible research to cite), and engaging in risky trends such as gargling with, or even ingesting Povidone-Iodine or bleach, or spending hundreds of dollars on a laundry list of supplements designed to forcibly detoxify or sterilize the body, all of which can be extremely dangerous.
For starters, too much iodine can harm the body, particularly the thyroid. Iodine is an essential mineral, and we do need it in trace amounts, but overdosing can cause goiter, glandular inflammation, and in some cases, thyroid cancer. People with an underactive thyroid, or those on a vegan diet, may choose to supplement with kelp, or other natural iodine sources, but those with healthy thyroid function should be careful with these supplements. Povidone-Iodine solutions sold in pharmacies are a different thing entirely, designed to treat cuts and scrapes by killing bacteria. They are not intended to be gargled with, or ingested, and they do not work against viruses.
In regards to hydrogen peroxide, FOOD-GRADE hydrogen peroxide certainly has its uses as a mouthwash, fruit-and-veggie wash, toothbrush cleaner, or household antiseptic. In concentrations up to 3%, it has been reasonably hypothesized* to effectively inactivate viral strains on inanimate surfaces, or in the oral/nasal mucosa. This research has yet to be validated by controlled trials, however, and there is absolutely no scientific basis for ingesting larger dosages or stronger concentrations. In fact, either the direct consumption or inhalation of hydrogen peroxide (i.e. via a nebulizer) can produce symptoms of toxicity, such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headaches, and shortness of breath. In short: Just. Don’t.
By contrast, some natural antimicrobials are perfectly safe to ingest at appropriate dosages, but should still not be used daily for prolonged periods of time, as doing so could damage that internal rainforest of microbes that I mentioned earlier.
Oregano or grapefruit seed oil, for instance, both have a long history of being used very effectively against bacteria, parasites, viruses, and other organisms, with little-to-no risk of toxicity. Similarly, manuka honey (a type of strong medicinal honey from New Zealand bees that harvest from the tea tree plant) has been shown to be as effective as some antibiotics in fighting certain infections, with fewer risks and side effects.
Because formulas and concentrations vary from one brand to another, I recommend following (and not exceeding) the dosage instructions on the packaging for all of these products, and using them for a maximum of two weeks at a time (or until you are feeling better). Higher or more prolonged dosages should be supervised by a qualified health care practitioner, and ALL use should ideally be accompanied by a good probiotic supplement.
Probiotics are the “good guys” – friendly bacteria that help keep our digestive system functioning optimally, our immune system strong, and even our mood and hormones balanced. Supplementing with these alongside antimicrobials will help to mitigate any damage done to your microbial ecosystem by antimicrobial agents. Because antimicrobials kill bacteria, it is a good idea to take your probiotic at least a few hours before or after your antimicrobial, so it has the best chance of working.
If you have any comments or questions about the information in this series, or would like me to create more in-depth posts on a related topic, please don’t hesitate to comment or reach out, and I will be happy to answer your questions as best I can!
Disclaimer: I am by no means an expert in virology, although I am a certified health and nutrition practitioner with several years of experience in the holistic health industry. I believe in (and recommend), educating yourself as much as possible on products and claims before utilizing them, ensuring that all of your sources are credible (ideally peer-reviewed), avoiding unnecessary risk, and, above all, maintaining a balanced and unbiased perspective, and using common sense.