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Microbes rule the world. They always have and they always will. Historically, infectious diseases have caused more death and devastation over the years than war and all of the other causes of disease combined. Even today, infectious diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide.

Modern antibiotics and vaccines have made inroads into cutting the loss of life, but this is chiefly in developed countries. The plague and the pox have given way to AIDS and influenza as causes of worldwide devastation. Gonorrhea, syphilis, and the common cold have never left us. Lyme disease is now widespread across North America and Europe.

Interestingly, the most successful microbes are not the most lethal. Success in the microbe world is defined by the ability to propagate and flourish. Killing or severely disabling the host can be counterproductive. Take your average common cold virus. The virus infects, propagates rapidly, and quickly spreads to another host before the initial host’s immune system catches up with it. The minimally disabled host organism actively participates in viral spread. Cold viruses may be the most successful microbes on earth.

Though the production of vaccines in the late nineteenth century and effective antibiotics in the mid-twentieth century can be recognized as major contributors to increased life expectancy, we can mainly thank government bureaucracies and social services for the improved health we enjoy today. Improved sanitation and health standards have done more to protect us from infectious disease than anything else has. As much as I hate to sign over a portion of my paycheck every month to Uncle Sam, the cost of this part of our “social good” is worth paying.

A visit to a third world country is a real eye-opener. Well beyond the lack of funds to buy antibiotics and vaccines, the lack of sanitation and public health in third world countries translates into poor health for most of the population. Standards that we take for granted such as indoor plumbing, public restrooms, restaurant grading, and garbage collection are often rare. Health standards, in the way that we know them, do not exist. As a result, diseases such as cholera are still common. Tuberculosis and malaria are present now as much as ever before.

In developed countries, microbes have seemingly taken a back seat to other causes of disease, but be assured, they are still there—seen and unseen. Microbes contribute to disease in ways that you would not expect. There is evidence that diseases like juvenile-onset diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and cervical cancer are initiated by viral infections and malfunctions in the immune system. Many cases of chronic fatigue syndrome have been found to have an association with a history of Lyme disease and other microbial illnesses. Some speculate that all autoimmune diseases may have microbial origins.

Some of the most successful microbes are those that go unnoticed. Again, the goal of a successful microbe is not to kill or even severely disable the host. They propagate and flourish in the background, producing chemical substances that inhibit or control the immune system and neurological system, all the while remaining completely concealed. To us, these chemical substances are toxins and though they make us feel miserable, they may not significantly shorten our lifespan. At some point we may find that many diseases have roots to microbes that are presently concealed from our detection.

As much as microbes can be the enemy, certain microbes are our allies in many ways. Favorable bacteria inhabiting our skin and internal passageways prevent infections from pathogenic microbes. We actually could not survive without the help of the normal flora of bacteria within our gastrointestinal tract. These bacteria aid in digestion, convert vitamins into active forms, and help us rid ourselves of toxins.

Poor dietary habits and overuse of antibiotics can contribute to overgrowth of pathologic strains of bacteria in places where we depend on friendly bacteria. Toxins produced by abnormal bacteria not only cause problems in the gastrointestinal tract but also have effects that are far reaching. In understanding this connection, it is not surprising to find studies that link excessive antibiotic use to breast cancer. Even diseases such as depression and autism have links to bowel function altered by bacterial imbalances.

There are two main strategies for preventing disease caused by microbial infections: avoiding exposure and maintaining a healthy immune system. Accumulated knowledge of how bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites function allows us a better chance to avoid crossing paths, but complete avoidance is, of course, impossible. Our best chance of staying healthy in a world dominated by microbes is to keep our defenses up. Free radicals, toxins, and excessive stress tax the immune system. Good nutrition, regular exercise, stress reduction, and quality nutritional supplements best support a healthy immune system.

The above excerpt was taken from the "A New Style of Healthcare" chapter in my book, Health First!. This book was created as a resource for my patients and First Do No Harm Health readers who are eager to learn more about simple lifestyle changes that can improve their quality of life and dramatically reduce their risk of disease. It is my hope that you will consider this book as a resource for better understanding your health and take control of your own health today!

Categories: Disease Prevention,

Previous Comments

Anne Walker- Jan 02, 2010

What kind of testing is available to determine whether microbes are the cause of illness? Thanks! Anne

Bill Rawls, MD- Jan 02, 2010

There is testing for certain kinds of microbes, such as strep throat, Lyme disease, influenza, and and the virus that causes mononucleosis. But in many cases, microbes are hidden and contribute to disease without being obvious. Your best protection against microbes is a good defense strategy through keeping your immune system strong. Thanks for your relevant question, Anne!