If a Health and Safely officer came to my house, they would probably condemn my kitchen out of hand. Why – because although I keep my kitchen clean, I flatly refuse to use any of the anti-bacterial products that seem to be dominating the market, and are getting such a tremendous advertising push whichever way you look these days.In fact, totally opposite of what these adverts tell you, there is actually virtually no scientific evidence to back up the claims made for use of anti-bacterial products used in a healthy home.

In fact, there is more evidence to prove just the opposite, and that by a more widespread use of these anti-bacterial agents, we are actually causing far more harm than good. The very bacteria that we are supposedly destroying are in fact, fighting back, by mutating, and producing new forms of bacteria that are becoming resistant to these so-called healthy cleaning agents, and thus forming total immunity to properly administered antibiotic drugs. Hence all the concerns over MRSA in hospitals, and the community version c-MRSA.

Besides creating resistance, the antibacterial craze has another potential consequence. Reports are mounting about a possible association between infections in early childhood and decreased incidence of allergies. In expanding this “hygiene hypothesis,” some researchers have found a correlation between incidents of too much hygiene and actual increased allergy. This study has shown that if you are brought up in this sterile environment too protective against microorganisms, then a much greater occurrence of allergies, including asthma and eczema, seems to be the result. In one rural community, children who grew up on farms had fewer allergies than did their counterparts who lived in more normal towns and cities.

The problem stems due to the way our bodies have been designed to be able to survive in an environment where we are surrounded – both inside and out – by myriads of different bacteria, some good, and some bad for us. And as a direct result of this, we have been designed with a really powerful and automated system that co-operates with these friendly bacteria but is able to seek out and destroy these that will cause us harm.

It is of course our very own inbuilt Immune System, and is the most effective system designed by Mother Nature that is streets ahead of any profit-oriented pills that the Big Pharmaceutical organisations can try and push at us. But, trouble starts when we let all these unnecessary anti-bacterial products, and food preparation like long periods of pasteurisation, destroy as many bacteria willy-nilly as we can.

- First of all, our Immune Systems don’t get triggered by the nasty bacteria, so they get a little lax in how they respond to attacks.

- Secondly, our bodies have now got an absence of ‘good’ bacteria in our bodies, especially our gut. And that causes more problems, as our bodies are no longer feeling the mutual benefits of having these ‘good’ bacteria’ inside of us. This is especially true where pasteurised foods like milk are consumed. Raw milk is so much more beneficial for us than the sterile stuff we consume these days.

- And thirdly, and most dangerous for all, is the fact that many bacteria and viruses now mutate, to overcome the liberal dosing of poisons they are getting, so when your doctor prescribes a drug to help our bodies fight a particular disease, the nasty little things than cause it (like the MRSA bug for instance) have mutated, and are totally resistant to these medicines.

- If your immune system is now left unable to cope with even the simplest of attacks, all sorts of inflammation gets triggered off inside of us. And do you know what – most of the most common debilitating lifestyle and life-threatening diseases – like most forms of cancer, arthritis, skin diseases, and even ageing itself – stem from uncontrolled inflammation inside our bodies.

And then, on top of all that, we consume a diet that is so high in products that cause our bodies lots of problems, like so many processed and poison-laden foods (Read your food labels carefully), and so low in great immune system boosting products, like fresh fruit and vegetables – Our immune system is unable to cope, and we succumb to the simplest of infections. Thius is why so many life-threatening diseases stemming from hidden inflammation like cancers, diabetes, Alzeihmers, arthitus, and many other ailments seem to have reached epidemic proportions these days. Have you also noticed how many of us suffer from colds and sniffles all the time?

So, rather than spending our lives killing bacteria by any means, rather than boosting our own internal immune systems by eating loads of fresh fruit daily (or great healthy fruit juices – not those that have any of the suspect products like many modified forms of sugar or sweeteners, especially the nasty aspartame – but with a high fibre content, especially the better açai-based juices) – take evasive action and we will return to the status quo that Mother Nature had designed for us.

You may have to search to get any raw milk in every country (don’t help yourself with a bucket and milking stool though), so look for specialised outlets. I know certain States in America ban it, but I believe it can be bought in countries like the UK and Germany. As far as I know, there is only one fruit juice that contains not just pure fruit, but has not been kettle pasteurised, so it still contains live enzymes, and that is Mona Vie. That is available all across the USA, the UK, and Germany, but only from word of mouth distribution, not the major stores.

After all, we should all (barring accidents) be able to live much longer, healthier and pain free lives, as long as we act like proper human beings, and not like some sterile robot fed on processed foods.

By spreading the word of better health, by enjoying the company of bacteria, you can join the new and rapidly-growing wellness marketplace. Find yourself some good products, and you may be able to carve out another part-time income just by promoting the benefits that you have gained from using them. This will help you enjoy your longer life with better health, both physically and financially.

Let’s live a longer dirtier life, enjoy loads of fresh fruit, sunshine, and at least a modicum of daily exercise, and learn to live again with the environment we were designed to exist in.