Antibacterial soap....Et cetera

Antibacterial soap is a better defense against infection than normal soap, right?

Unfortunately, that's false.

Three years ago, a University of Michigan team reviewed data and reported that antibacterial soap products in which TRICLOSAN is the active ingredient is no better than normal soaps at preventing infection. (triclosan is the big dog of antibacterial products)

According to a 2004 report in the journal Pesticides and You (yes, there really is a journal for everything!), triclosan is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent that's used in hundreds of products. But not just soaps. The chemical also shows up in Colgate Total toothpaste, Right Guard Sport Deodorant, and Solarcaine First Aid Medicated Spray.

And here's where things take a very dark turn: Triclosan may promote antibiotic resistance, which would actually make you MORE vulnerable if exposed to infections and hospital superbugs like MRSA and C. diff.

Early this year, Representative Edward Markey (chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment) asked the FDA to update the scientific review of triclosan.

In their response, FDA officials noted that recent research raises "valid concerns" about triclosan safety. In addition to antibiotic resistance, concerns include animal studies that suggest the chemical may interfere with hormone regulation.

So the FDA has started a new review of triclosan safety. Ready for a laugh? Agency officials say they'll have their report ready in the spring of 2011. D'oh!

Want to avoid triclosan right now? Why not? It's apparently not doing anyone any good. Just Google "triclosan-free" and you'll come up with thousands of websites that carry soap and other products that leave triclosan out of the mix.

And if you're wondering just how serious the problem of antibiotic resistance really is, consider that this danger was first recognized more than 80 years ago by one of the foremost medical scientists of the 20th century. His name: Alexander Fleming.

---ABOVE ALL TAKEN FROM HSIALERT.COM (The Health Science Institute)

My thoughts:

If you look under Antibiotic Resistance in the Wikipedia, it says, "Household use of antibacterials in soaps and other products is discouraged (as not being effective at infection control)" Makes you wonder if the use of antibacterial agents in common household products is either effective or harmless?

I first became aware of the potential downsides of antibacterial soaps from Dr. Mercola (The world's number 1 free natural health Newsletter resource), here's a similar article to the one I first read: Dr. MERCOLA ANTIBACTEIAL DANGER NEWSLETTER.

So, everyone wants to keep their family and children safe from harmful bacteria that can cause illness, right? What's the SAFE alternative you ask?

NATURAL, God designed antibacterial agents which have NO NEGATIVE effects on the human body:

• VINEGAR -- as a spray on counter surfaces, toys, and bacteria-laden places. Article on vinegar's effectiveness: VINEGAR AS A BACTERIAL, MOLD, GERM KILLING PRODUCT. It's very inexpensive at the grocery store--give it a try!
• LIQUID SILVER -- Practitioners in burn wards have known for a very long time that soaking bandages in a low concentration silver solution inhibits infection in burn victims; it literally saves their skin. Silver has long been used as an anti-infection agent with bandages or other medical supplies all around the world. VIEW SILVER BAND-AID PRODUCTS. Silver is also coming out in cleaning products/cloths: NORWEX SILVER CLEANING PRODUCTS.

Here's what our family uses as a quick antibacterial handsanitizer when out and about: SILVER ANTIBACTERIAL GEL HAND GEL. A little more spendy...but saves you from taking a chance with using TRICLOSAN on your kiddos!! They also sell a liquid version for antibacterial washings and for using with eye infections: LIQUID SILVER.

In Christ, Ms. Salubrious

******None of the above statements have been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. All of the information in this BLOG is strictly for educational purposes. This BLOG should not be used to treat, diagnose, or prescribe for a condition you feel you may have. If you have any health concerns, you should see a competent practitioner. ******

Little Djoulissa's Story

I would like to share the story of the Meyers so that you can join me in praying for them. We go to a homeschooling academy/CO-OP and the mom, Mae, is one of the parents there so we have had many good faith/family/friendship talks over the past 2 years. I consider Mae a close friend of mine, being there for me with advice, love and encouragement when she knows I need them. She has such a loving and caring heart, and has such faith and strength in her times of trial, that I sooo admire.

This year the Meyers Family was approached to adopt a beautiful 2 year old named Djoulissa from a couple that was hosting her during her stay in the U.S. for her medical visa. This precious child has been diagnosed with Moebius Syndrome (including facial paralysis), CLUB FEET, malnutritio​n, and has severe development​al delays. The Meyers knew it was their calling to have her as a part of their family.

Here's a portion of their announcement e-mail:

"We are very excited to announce that we have a new addition to the family. Djoulissa -pronounce: jew-lisa (given name-not sure if we are changing it yet) was brought to our attention on Feb. 20th. God had put our family on someone's mind who knew that Djoulissa needed a home. They contacted us and asked if we were interested in adopting her. To say we were blown away would be an understatement-especially since we were not even thinking of adopting at this time. We said that we would pray about it and see where God was leading us-it is hard to ignore when God is opening doors all around you! We really felt that God had prepared us for her and her special needs over the last couple of years and that He is calling us to adopt her."

The Meyers family brought her home at the beginning of April, and started visits with doctors to diagnosis, treat and improve Djoulissa's health condition. Here is her excerpt from Djoulissa's CARING BRIDGE SITE (<--Click for link to site):

Wednesday, April 28, 2010
"Djoulissa was admitted to the hospital today. We went in for a feeding clinic and they took one look at her and said she is going up to a room! That was not in the plan today :) Right now she has a tube through her nose to feed her. The dr. said this is going to be a long stay. When I asked what 'long' meant he said that on the short end it will be 2 weeks. Plea​se pray for her sweet little spirit and that she can put up with all this testing and that Doug and I will have the emotion and physical strength."

Friday, April 30
"They did find a bit of fluid by the heart and a vessel that they really don't want there. We will do another heart echo next week to check on things. I was a bit worried tonight with her being so lethargic and quiet. I bought her a couple of balloons (which always make her giggle) but she didn't even really look at them. I was telling a nurse about it and that she really is a fiesty girland I want to see that again. She sat up on my lap and preceded to hit the heck out the balloon. Never thought violence could bring such JOY to my heart :)"

"If I have not mentioned it before...th​is little girl is such a sweetie. She has the most beautiful eyes that smile even if her face can't. I am so very humbled and blessed to be this little girl's mother that it brings me to tears whenever I think about it. To be perfectly honest I worry. I worry about being a good mother to her, worry about providing everything she is going to need, worry about being a mother to SIX kids (I am so outnumbered​), worried about stupid stuff that satan plants in my head --Then I read in this really great book that tells me that I should NOT worry-for what good does it do? Pretty good book and it hasn't failed me yet so I am trying really hard to follow its guidance. I still am not sure what God was thinking when He chose me to be her mother, but I know that He is a GREAT Father and He can use even the likes of me. Thank-you again for all the prayers. God has His hand on all of this and I really am excited to see where He takes us! "

Please visit the site regularly for updates, prayer requests and to show support to this loving family. We are so blessed to know them, and would encourage you to be a part of their journey God has for them! Thank you for reading.

In Christ, Ms. Salubrious