The Germ Theory

Last week, I was at a local popular eatery for lunch. Midway through our meal, a woman and her toddler sat down one table away from us. She pulled out of her "suitcase-of-a-purse" a mini-aerosol bottle of Lysol and proceed to liberally spray down the highchair, table and seats. She placed the child in the highchair, engulfed in a cloud of chemicals, and gave him a large piece the complimentary sourdough bread to chew on. I wondered what would kill him first; chemical poisoning, choking on that obscene piece of bread, or cancer.

Within seconds, the potent smell traveled over to our table. I could practically taste Lysol in my mouth. I shot the women a dirty look as I quickly packed up our stuff  and moved myself, my 2-year-old and our food across a crowded restaurant. As we were leaving, her kid dropped his bread on the floor. She picked it up and handed it back to him without even brushing it off. WHAT!!??

This is not the first time I have seen mothers adopt this obsessive compulsive behavior over "germs", although it is first time that I saw someone practically asphyxiate an entire restaurant with Lysol spray. Antibacterial wipes, lotions, soaps, sprays and gels are everywhere. People buy this stuff in bulk! These products causes more harm then good. It might kill the "bad" germs and bacteria, BUT it also kills the Good Bacteria on our skin - the bacteria that is responsible for killing the bad bacteria and keeping our skin, and immune system, healthy. The more a person uses these products regularly, the more they are actually susceptible to getting sick because there is no defense. 

I am in close contact with people everyday, as well as Nolan and honestly, we are rarely sick. I am not a "germ-a-phob". We wash hands after using the bathroom and before eating, but I do not wipe down the shopping carts or "gel up" everytime I leave a store (have you noticed that those gel pumps are literally everywhere!) I do not have any "anti-bacterial" products, nor do we use Lysol or bleach when cleaning the house; only all-natural products, mostly made with vinegar, baking soda and essential oils, posted in Cleaning the House Naturally.

A healthy person with a highly-functioning immune system, and good bacteria thriving on their skin and in their gut should have no problem naturally fighting off these "germs". Simple ways to stay healthy are to eat a diet high in F&V and low in sugar and processed foods; take Vitamin D, Omega-3 and probiotic supplements, reduce stress, breastfeed your children as long as you can and DO NOT use antibacterial products on your skin! Other things you can do are listed out in Beat the Flu Naturally. Even if you do get a cold, or even the flu, that is OK! That is how your body gets stronger and builds up antibodies. Viruses and bacteria are living organisms, and as Jeff Goldblum's character said in Jurassic Park, "Life WILL find a way". That is why no matter how many flu shots you get, or antibacterial products you use, these "bugs" are alive, and they will find a way to adapt, survive, get stronger and multiply. Instead of worrying about the "bad bugs", focus more on your own body's "Good Bugs", and keeping them strong!


Consider this...Is the one thing we think that keeps us from getting sick, actually making us sick?


BJ Palmer's quote at Palmer College of Chiropractic in Iowa