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Do you enjoy
eating raw food such as Japanese sashimi or a juicy slab of medium rare
steak? They sure can taste delicious but at the same time, you should
know about the dangers that consuming raw food may pose. Raw food may just
contain Escherichia coli (or simply E. coli). When consumed, this strain of
bacteria lives in your lower intestines, known as the gut flora, in your
body and can cause you stomach pains and problems.
It was Theodor Escherich, a German bacteriologist, who discovered E. Coli in
1885. Traces of E. coli have been found in raw food such as the fish used
for sashimi. When you have E. coli in your body, you can get intestinal
disorders such as diarrhea and gastroenteritis as well as extra-intestinal
infections such as urinary tract infections and meningtitis. In the
worst case scenerio, death can result. This happens if the E. coli
bacteria escape your intestinal tract through a perforation, such as an
ulcer or a surgical error, into your abdomen.
You do not have to consume a whole lot of E. coli to feel their effects.
Only a small amount of E. coli is enough to make you feel unwell. You
would also find it hard to tell if your food contains E. coli as it does not
turn its taste bad.
Since E. coli are hardly visible, you may have just consumed them in the
past. You cannot also be absolutely certain that you have none
residing inside you right now. After all, you are surrounded by bacteria.
And pollution and contamination is real. Can you guarantee that your food is
always hygienically handled before cooking? If you eat out pretty
frequently, then you are definitely at greater risk of E. Coli or other
parasites finding their way into your body.
So what happens if you have them and need to be treated? Medical doctors
usually recommend a treatment with antibiotics. However, an antibiotic
treatment may no longer be effective as recent strains of E. coli show that
they are rapidly acquiring drug resistance. Studies now are also
evaluating vaccines or possibly other drugs for treatment.
On the other hand, naturopathic doctors recommend a combination of
botanicals, fiber, and probiotics to help your intestinal tract remove all
pathogenic microorganisms. Perform a periodic parasite and colon
cleanse especially if you consume raw foods on a regular basis.
Heating kills bacteria. Still, your food is best cooked just right so
that it still retains its nutrition. Here are specific tips on
preventing E. Coli from getting into your body:
1. Avoid eating in places that you know do not practice good hygiene.
2. Always wash your hands before eating and after toileting or diapering.
This can help prevent many E. coli infections.
3. If children eat minced beef, it should be cooked until the juices run
clear.
4. Avoid eating eggs that are runny or half-cooked.
5. Wash all raw fruits and vegetables thoroughly before consuming.
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