Infectious Forms of Bacteria May be Cause of Many of Today's Health Problems - Even Pneumonia

March 13 , 2005 by Doctor Fitness

Dutch researchers find standard heartburn drugs may likely increase pneumonia risk.

"Study finds medications reduce germ-killing stomach acid.� Widely used heartburn and ulcer drugs such as Nexium, Pepcid and Prilosec can make people more susceptible to pneumonia, probably because they reduce germ-killing stomach acid, Dutch researchers found in a study of more than 300,000 patients."

"The highest risks occurred with more powerful acid-fighting drugs called proton pump inhibitors, which are sold in the United States under such brand names as Nexium, Prevacid and Prilosec. Over nearly three years, users of these drugs faced almost double the risk of developing pneumonia compared with former users."

"Users of another class of acid-fighting drugs that includes cimetidine and famotidine � sold in the United States as Tagamet and Pepcid � also faced an elevated risk."

"The acid in normal stomach fluids generally kills harmful bacteria; suppressing it with drugs to treat heartburn and ulcers may make the body more hospitable to such germs, which may then infect the lungs and cause pneumonia, the researchers said."
www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6337168/
The Associated Press, Oct. 26, 2004

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Every time you turn around you read another news article implicating bacteria in disease. We know the link between bacteria/fungal and reflux disease, Crohn�s disease and bacteria, use of reflux drugs increasing risk of pneumonia, heart disease and bacteria, and finally bacteria and cancer.

The National Cancer Association mentions aflatoxin in a matter of fact style, when Aflatoxin a mycotoxin, is the most potent cancer causing substance known to man and it comes from the aspergillus niger fungus that is found on corn, peanuts and grains or the animals that are fed these founds. Aflatoxin is used to cause cancer in laboratories.

It is common knowledge that corn is universally contaminated with fungus (fungus is a form of bacteria). Even Uncle Sam says so.

According to Dr. David Holland co-author of a number of books on the subject of fungus and disease. Corn is "universally contaminated" with fumonisin and other fungal toxins such as aflatoxin, zearalenone and ochratoxin (Council for Agricultural Science and Technology.

Mycotoxins: Risks in Plant, Animal and Human Systems. Task Force Report No. 139. Ames, IA. Jan 2003). Fumonisin and aflatoxin are known for their cancer-causing effects, while zearalenone and ochratoxin cause estrogenic and kidney-related problems, respectively. Just as corn is universally contaminated with mycotoxins, our food supply seems to be universally contaminated with corn--it�s everywhere! A typical chicken nugget at a fast food restaurant consists of a nugget of corn-fed chicken that is covered by a corn-based batter that is sweetened with corn syrup!

Related Links
Animal Bacteria Linked to Crohn's Disease
Heart Attacks Caused by Infection
Adult Primary Liver Cancer

So why is it so surprising when we hear that there is a link between diseases and bacteria, and why are surprised when we find it may have entered through our digestive system. How is that possible? How did it get on our food; did it look or taste moldy?

Humans are the perfect petri dish - we offer all the ingredients that make it possible to grow bacteria, moisture, sugar (our diet), and heat (98.6%). Perfecto!!! So don�t be surprised when you get sick, particularly this time of year.

Did you realize that heart attacks go up this time of year?

According to experts at Harvard Medical School January is the time of the year when people are most likely to have a heart attack, while summer months especially July are lower. They cited reasons such as cold weather makes blood vessels constrict, which increases blood pressure and cholesterol goes up, a high fat diet due to the holidays is mentioned along with depression.

Okay I can accept an increase in heart attacks in January but the rest they got all wrong.

People really eat more sweets in the winter, with all the celebration. Sugar feeds infection. Think about it.

Last I checked more hot dogs and hamburgers were consumed in summer, more fat there I would say.

Instead of cold causing an increase in blood pressure, why not the lack of exercise? After all, most of the people they are talking about are not having heart attacks outside?� I think that would seem more logical.

Some science shows that cholesterol is anti-infection. That�s right, cholesterol binds up infection and an increase may indicate infection, perhaps in the arteries?

Related Links
High cholesterol may protect against infections and atherosclerosis
Heart Attacks Increase in the Winter

Next time you think about not getting sick why not change your diet and exercise?� It only takes a change in attitude.

Lance Dreher, Ph.D
Doctor Fitness

To set up your appointment at any of the Fitness Institutes or see Lance personally, call 480-951-1722. Lance can also be reached at 480-951-7177.

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Lance Dreher is a frequent contributor to East Valley Living and his articles are regularly featured in Health/Doctor Fitness Talks.