Anti-bacterial products are everywhere we look. Bottles of hand sanitizers, soaps, makeup, sprays, solutions and even toys are now being loaded down with these reported agents aimed at wiping the bacterium off the face of the planet.
There is a dark side to using all of these solutions. You may think it is helping you, but in reality it may be doing more harm than good to your body. You need to know the real facts before forking over all that cash for products that kill bacteria.
As to whether or not anti-bacterial products are more damaging than helpful, you must first realize their intended purpose. Their purpose is to eradicate bacteria such as those that cause: tuberculosis, food poisoning (the e coli bacteria specifically), pneumonia, strep-throat and cholera. These are the most harmful bacteria that we come into contact with on a regular basis.
The process of getting rid of these unicellular organisms is actually pretty simple. The most effective process involves hot water, soap and a sanitizer such as alcohol or bleach. The hot water loosens the dirt and grime allowing the bacteria to remain on the surface.
The soap washes the bacteria away and anything left is rendered unstable by the alcohol or bleach. Both alcohol and bleach leave no residue behind and are safe to use on anything.
Anti-bacterial products typically contain Triclosan, which acts in a manner similar to alcohol and bleach. The problem arises because after applying the product, a thin layer is left behind. This allows the bacteria that were not destroyed to grow and become resistant to the ingredient.
These resistances can cause genetic mutations that produce bacteria which are resistant to antibiotics, in a process called cross resistance. Take for example the Triclosan. It can give birth to bacterium that is resistant to the drug Isoniazid. Isoniazid is the drug that is used when a person contracts cholera.
The safest anti-bacterial products to use are still the simplest. Use hot water and soap when you wash a surface or your body. For further fighting power you can apply a small application of alcohol which will evaporate quickly and leave no residue behind.
The goal is to kill off as many bacteria as possible, without creating a new strain of bacteria that is resistant to the product and available antibiotics. Is it possible to have a germ free world? No, there will always be bacteria present and the use of anti-bacterial products simply exacerbates the problem on a much bigger scale.
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