When we get sick with an infection, we have an overgrowth of an opportunistic organism (microscopic critters we live with that wait for an opportunity to have a population explosion thus making us sick) or we have been invaded by an external source of a pathogenic (disease-causing) microbe. We somehow come in contact with an infectious microbe, like breathing in tiny amounts of spit from a cough or touching our fingers to our mouth after wiping off a runny nose from a sick kid or older folk. When we recognize (admit!) that we are sick, we use home anti-microbial remedies and treatments and/or get a prescription for a pharmaceutical drug from our doctor. These treatments help our immune system kill off the pathogenic microbes. Then our immune system and elimination system (lymph, kidneys, spleen and liver mainly) go to work to clean up the mess and get all body systems back in good working order.
Now we are “healthy” again, or in some cases, at least not sick anymore. To maintain good health, prevent another infections and speed up recovery when you do get sick again, I highly recommend eating probiotic foods. These contain friendly bacteria that keep the opportunistic microbes from overgrowing. These friendly bacteria also produce nutrients that we absorb and use, thus keep us strong and healthy. Probiotic foods are “cultured,” “aged” or “fermented” foods. All cultures that have long-living folks traditionally make and eat on a regular basis some kind of fermented foods. Like German sauerkraut, Korean Kim Chi, Japanese miso, European yogurt, Russian kefir, many cultures’ pickles and raw vinegars. These foods contain living friendly bacteria, active enzymes, and a wide variety of nutrients. They are very easy to digest and help the body to clean out or detoxify.
Be careful though! Not all old foods are healthy for us to eat. Moldy foods can be very toxic and dangerous. Your nose can help out here. If a food “stinks,” it is often a sign that the food is bad for us to eat. That is not always true though. Sometimes it takes some getting used to a smell, taste and/or texture before you acquire a liking for a food. Most of us can remember some awful food experience we’ve had in our lives! Smell is often our longest lasting memories and last sense to leave us when we are dying.
It is especially important to re-populate our gut with friendly bacteria after taking a round of prescription anti-microbial drugs. This means after taking any antibiotic, antiviral, anti-parasitic or anti-fungal drug. I even recommend that my patients eat probiotic foods or take a probiotic natural medicine during the round of prescription anti-microbial drugs. I suggest that they take the probiotic at the other end of the day then they take their drug. For example, if they took the penicillin tablet in the morning, then they take the probiotic in the evening.
For more information on probiotics or other health topics, please call me at (505) 986-1370 or visit with me at the Los Alamos Health Fair on Saturday, October 11, 2008 at the Los Alamos High School Griffith Gym from 8:00am to 12 noon.
Dr. Wendy Van Dilla is a Naturopathic Physician with offices in Los Alamos and Santa Fe. She is trained as a primary care physician with a holistic medical philosophy and uses natural medicines and therapies to help patients heal their whole selves.
Thank you for reading my health tip. I don’t respond to comments. I am available for private consultation and public lectures. To contact me, please call my Santa Fe office (505-986-1370) to schedule an appointment or for further information.
