Health Effect of Antibacterial Products - Coursework Example

Health Effect of Antibacterial Products Recent researches have shown the possibility of anti-bacterial products have a detrimental health effect. Surely, the immune system fights germs and bacteria that may cause diseases in our bodies. However, the use of antibacterial products disrupts this natural fight. The microbiome level diminishes leaving the immune system underutilized. As a result, the system may lose its ability to distinguish between harmful and harmless substances. Therefore, the immune system may react and even attack the tissues of the body and other substances that mean no harm to the body.

Besides, the utilization of antibacterial and antibiotic products has its advantages. For instance, a prolonged use of antibacterial products can lead to a number of issues. As implied earlier, prolonged use of such products may interfere with the natural body flora. There exist some microorganisms that naturally inhabit our bodies in large numbers. However, prolonged use of antibacterial and antibiotic products tempers with their optimal levels and at times wipe them out. Such a situation leaves the host (human) susceptible to infections due to suppressed immunity system.

Worse still, diminished microbiome levels cause the immunity to attack harmless substances. As a result, allergies and autoimmune disorders such as arthritis and asthma set in. Gut flora impacts health in many ways. Studies have shown a correlation between the gut flora and weight. Obese people have relatively less gut flora. Also, when “good” bacteria feed on some foods such as beef and eggs, they produce a compound that boosts the risk of heart diseases. Such knowledge forms the basis of advising people to reduce high cholesterol food intakes.

Furthermore, the interaction between body cells and gut bacteria plays a significant role in the development of a fully functional immune system. Surely, the utilization of antibacterial products serves the purpose in the short-run. However, considering alternative methods of cleaning, they can play a great role in taming the long-term effects of antibacterial products use. References Murphy, K. (2015). Invite Some Germs to Dinner. Retrieved on November 21, 2015, from http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/10/sunday-review/invite-some-germs-to-dinner.html?_r=0.