How to get around antibiotic resistance

Antibiotic resistance occurs when some of the trillions of microorganisms there develop mechanisms to withstand the effects of antibiotics, rendering them partially or entirely ineffective in treating bacterial infections.

These are the mechanisms

• Gene Transfer – Bacteria in the gut microbiome can exchange genetic material through various processes. This horizontal gene transfer enables the spread of antibiotic resistance genes among bacterial species, including pathogens, normal and beneficial bacteria

• Selective Pressure – Antibiotic exposure favours the survival and proliferation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. These strains can outcompete susceptible and beneficial strains, leading to the dominance of antibiotic-resistant populations. This has negative consequences for general health, immunity, inflammation, brain health and more

• Global Spread – Not only does antibiotic resistance in the gut microbiome complicate the treatment of bacterial infections, but interestingly, these genes can spread from the gut microbiome to other environments eg the external environment, water and the food chain, including globally

Microbiome mapping can not only identify resistant strains, but allow a targeted non-drug approach that will work, often without destroying beneficial bacteria. This includes eradication (when necessary for the worst pathogens), and rebuilding beneficial bacteria to crowd them out for good.

There is an effective work around.