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Since the 1940s, antibiotics have become the standard treatment for bacterial infections. Most believe that pharmaceutical antibiotics are a miracle “silver bullet” for infectious diseases and that antibiotics alone were responsible for curtailing the major life-threatening, infectious diseases plaguing humanity.

According to Thomas McKeown, MD, author of
The Role of Medicine, “Deaths from common infections were declining long before effective medical intervention was possible.” [1] View graphs here.

(1) Mutant Bacteria

In 1947, when penicillin was rolled out for mass production, the first bacterium resistant to it was soon discovered,
Staphylococcus aureus. The fact is that antibiotics, even when used appropriately, can create mutant bacteria. [2]

In fact, the highest rates of methicillin-resistant
S. aureus infections are correlated with the countries that prescribe the most antibiotics. In 2009, Norway had one of the lowest rates of hospital infections in the world.

Why? Approximately 30 years ago, Norway made a pivotal decision to reduce overall antibiotic use to only what was necessary. [3]

(2) Weakened Immune System

Peter J. D’Adamo, ND, is a naturopathic physician and author known for his pioneering research on the interconnectedness of human blood groups, lifestyle, nutrition and health.

Dr. D’Adamo explained, “When you allow your body to go to war on its own terms, without antibiotic intervention, it develops not only a memory of specific antibodies to the current infection and any similar to it, but also the ability to fight more effectively the next time it is challenged or attacked.”

In other words, the invaders are getting stronger, but our immune systems are less prepared to handle them. [4]

Antibiotics suppress the immune system, as opposed to merely assisting it to do its job more effectively. In fact, antibiotics “cut off immune response.” They can reduce the level of infection, but they cannot eradicate it; only the immune system can do that. [5]