Inside Yoga 109 (4/6/14)

We have tried so hard to protect ourselves from infections and diseases with antibiotics we have overdone it – sounds like a familiar human trait? – and now the antibiotics are causing us to be more unwell, more sick and even kill us.

This is the view of scientists, such as Martin Blaser who has published a new book, who argues that we are suffering from a new wave of “modern plagues” such as obesity and asthma.

This is not a new revelation, there have numerous voices over the last few years warning of a catastrophic change in our health, but it is one that paints a very bleak picture. And it’s not new to those who prefer natural methods of healing such as myself, as I have avoided the use of antibiotics for most of my life.

It turns out that avoidance of antibiotics is the best solution, according to Martin Blaser, especially for babies and young children. Feeding them antibiotics for minor illnesses such as a sore throat, not only fails to cure them – the sore throat is due to a virus that antibiotics have little or no effect upon – but weakens the child’s immune system.

This is because the drugs wipe out our own natural defences against infection and illness. And it is getting worse. So the call is for major changes in the way we live and the drugs we use – and why not start with ourselves right now, by going towards natural remedies and of course, the use of yoga and meditation to boost our immune system – a healthy body, healthy mind and so forth.

To read the Observer feature, click on http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/jun/01/why-antibiotics-making-us-ill-bacteria-martin-blaser

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