How is Antibiotic Use Linked to Cancer?
New research indicates that heavy use of antibiotics during
childhood increases the likelihood of developing non-Hodgkin's
lymphoma (NHL), a cancer that affects the body's lymphatic
system.
A "Striking" Association
Researchers looked at data from the Scandinavian Lymphoma
Etiology study, which compared over 3,000 patients with NHL with
a similar number of healthy patients. There was a "striking"
association between antibiotic use and NHL for all subtypes of
the disease, especially for those who had been given antibiotics
more than10 times as children.
A Cause, Or an Effect?
This could mean that the increasing use of antibiotics in the
20th century might also explain the rise in NHL cases. However,
it is unknown whether antibiotic use caused the NHL, or if
antibiotics are simply more likely to be taken by those prone to
developing NHL.
Also True for NSAIDs
There was also an increased risk of NHL for heavy users of
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This includes
ibuprofen drugs such as Motrin and Advil.
American Journal of Epidemiology November 15, 2005; 162(10):
965-974Yahoo News November 19, 2005
Dr. Mercola's Comment:Physicians have a history ofunwisely
prescribingfar too many antibiotics for children with sore
throats.
I'm not opposed to all uses of antibiotics, as they have clearly
benefited many that have used them. But overall they have harmed
far more than they have benefited. It has been my experience
that well over 95 percent of the timethey are used
inappropriately.
Does that mean we should throw the baby out with the bath water?
Absolutely not. But more wise discernment is needed when they
are used.
Thereal truthis that most of the infections we acquire are
notactually caused by some evil bacteria or virus. Most of the
time we come down with an illnessit is because we have violated
one or more of the following three basic health
principles:- Not enough sleep
- Inability
to cope properly with stress
- Poor diet with too much
sugar and too many grains
I am grateful we can use antibiotics as effective tools.
However, most of the improvement we have had in health has been
achieved without them.
In the past I have received a number of letters from
physicians living in countries other than the United
States denouncing the fact that I did not praise
antibiotics because they have saved so many lives of children
who would have died in earlier times.
It is clear that there are indeed times when antibiotics are
needed and will benefit the person taking them. However, in the
larger picture they are widely over-prescribed and, in my
experience, rarely required if the adult or child is receiving
optimized nutrition, adequate rest and appropriate interventions
for stress.
What most physicians fail to realize is the enormous
influence that sugar and grains have on the immune system. If
you eat a typical American diet, you will likely obtain a
variety of infections due to this immune impairment.
The solution to most any infectious illness does not involve
an expensive drug or nutritional supplement but merely
application of the basics that involve eating for your Metabolic
Type, addressing unresolved emotional conflicts with tools like
EFT and staying away from toxic poisons like sugar, mercury and,
for most people, grains.
If you apply these basics your body has no choice but to stay
healthy and heal. It is my strong clinical belief and frequent
observation in my practice that each of us has been provided
with an enormous array of biochemical mechanisms that are
designed to generate health. Most of us have to regularly
violate these principles for many years before we reap the
fruits of our unhealthy choices.
Fortunately, the repair mechanisms work quite well for most
of us and are activated once we apply these health basics.
So you don't need to live in fear of these frightening
infections anymore. Just apply the program.
There are many practical considerations that are difficult to
describe on the Web site, but believe me, the bulk of what we do
for people who come to our clinic is apply the same information
you'll find in The Total Health Program and help them resolve
their emotional challenges with tools like EFT.