Why Not All Germs Are Bad for Your Health – Part II

Germs can be beneficial for your health. Who knew? In part I of why not all germs are bad for your health we learned that being too hygienic can actually work against your pursuit of good health. We also learned that while overuse of antibacterial products is not wise, these products do have some advantages. Here we continue our look at how good germs can equal better health.

Building up Natural Defenses:

Rather than placing the focus on killing every germ around we should instead think about how we can encourage the right type of germs to grow. This sounds weird but it is so true.

When you do your part to support the right type of bacteria to grow and thrive you develop an internal environment that allows your immune system to grow stronger.  The growth of friendly bacteria in the body offers a huge health payoff for youngsters. It means fewer stomach aches, fewer ear infections, fewer allergies to food, fewer urinary tract infections and less bouts of diarrhea. It has even been shown to fight off head colds, coughs and fevers. This is news that every mother wants to hear!

Eat the Right Foods:

One of the ways to ensure that you are getting good germs in your system is to eat foods that naturally contain the beneficial organisms your immune system requires. Start your kids on these foods early and you will help to make them stronger and less likely to get sick all of the time. Yogurt is one of the best foods around for this, as is feta cheese and pickles. Dark chocolate makes a healthy treat because it is another source of helping germs and bacteria.

There are other foods that do not contain friendly germs but do their best to nurture the right kind of environment. Examples of these foods include asparagus, garlic, onions, whole oats, whole wheat, bananas and honey. Please note that honey should only be given to children who are older than a year.

If you are not getting enough of the foods that provide you with beneficial bacteria and disease fighting germs then it might be worth your while to take a probiotic supplement to give you what you are missing. You can find probiotics at most health food stores, grocery stores and pharmacies. These supplements contain beneficial live bacteria which is good for your body. They are good for your family as well. You should not give probiotic supplements to infants any younger than six months of age.

Make Healthy Choices:

Due to the fact that germs are useful for your health you need to make smart choices in regards to your lifestyle and for your family. To do this you should keep yourself and your children away from cigarette smoke as often as possible. Exposure to second-hand smoke can kill off friendly bacteria.

When it comes to antibiotic drugs if your doctor says that it is not necessary for you to have a prescription filled then do not get one. The same can be said for the pediatrician who treats your children. When you take antibiotics the bad bacteria are killed off but so are the good bacteria. If you or any of your children must take an antibiotic for an infection or an illness then taking a supplement will restore the body’s supply of friendly bacteria.

Germs are not something to be feared but in many cases something to be embraced! Having enough good germs and bacteria in your body can yield big benefits and it does not take as much effort as you might realize. Beginning these habits early on in life for your kids can help to ensure a healthy way of life and can put them on a health path that will see them through their adult years.

Samantha

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Why Not All Germs Are Bad for Your Health – Part I

Germs are everywhere we go. You cannot touch something, be it a door, a bathroom sink, a remote control, a telephone or a grocery cart without coming into contact with them. When you hear the word “germ” you probably cringe inwardly. While it is important to aim for a clean and healthy environment for yourself and your family you don’t want to go overboard and make it too sanitary – we can’t line in a “bubble.”

Too sanitary? Is there such a thing as too sanitary?! Can hygiene be taken too far?

Well yes, actually it can.

You see mothers everywhere caution their children to not pick up food off of the floor and put it in their mouths, to keep dirty things away from their mouths and to wash their hands. While these are all good practices to get into when it comes to germs we actually do not have as much to fear as we think we do. Germs are not the dreaded evil things that we have been taught to believe they are. In fact some of them are good for us.

Don’t Go Sanitary Crazy!

It is hard to believe but true – germs are not the enemy after all.

When it comes to germs you can go a little crazy in the sanitary department of life. While there are a few exceptions to this, overall germs are good for your health.

This is not to say that you should start getting lazy and sloppy with your cleaning habits. Keeping your environment and indeed yourself clean is important and wise but do not go overboard in your use of antibacterial soaps and hand sanitizers. Kids do not need every one of their toys to be antibacterial in nature and every product you buy for your home does not have to contain the word “antibacterial” on the label.

Taking antibiotics when you know that without them you will not recover from an illness quickly is one thing but overusing antibiotics in time will kill off the microbes that the body needs. These naturally occurring substances in the body serve to fortify the immune system. This is one medical science is continuously developing new antibiotics as our bodies can grow immune to some forms of antibiotics.

Benefits of Antibacterial Products:

Antibacterial products are beneficial in some respects in that they reduce the incidence of some infections.

However they also do something that is not so good – they promote the creation of drug-resistant organisms and by so doing, weaken the friendly or good bacteria that our body has. The human body needs to be able to fight off bacteria and viruses on its own. This is how the immune system builds itself up.  A barrage of antibacterial products coming into contact with the skin can make it harder for the body to build up its own natural defenses.

There is more to share on this topic so read part II of why not all germs are bad for your health here to learn more about how friendly germs can make you a healthier person.

Samantha

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