Treatment of Antibiotic Resistance Through Functional Medicine

Since the introduction of antibiotics into clinical practice in the 1940s, antibiotic resistance has been a rapidly increasing global health concern, primarily due to the inappropriate use of these agents  (1). The growing number of resistant infections makes effective treatment more challenging and is associated with poorer health outcomes and complications (2). According to the CDC, more than 2.8 million antimicrobial-resistant infections occur annually, resulting in over 35,000 deaths (6). Addressing the problem requires a multi-faceted approach that emphasizes the prevention of infection spreading, the appropriate use of antibiotics, and the utilization of alternative antimicrobial agents when possible.

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How do Antibiotics Work?

Antibiotics are a type of medicine that treat bacterial infections by killing bacteria or suppressing bacterial growth. There are many types of antibiotics, and they all have different mechanisms of action. Depending on the type and severity of the infection, an antibiotic may be administered orally, topically, or intravenously. (3)

An antibiotic can be classified as a broad-spectrum or narrow-spectrum antibiotic. Broad-spectrum antibiotics are effective against a wide range of bacteria, whereas narrow-spectrum antibiotics will only affect a few types of bacteria. The use of narrow-spectrum antibiotics is restricted to scenarios where the bacterial pathogen has been identified. (4)

A bactericidal antibiotic kills the bacteria by interfering with the formation of the bacterial cell wall or its cell contents. A bacteriostatic antibiotic stops the bacteria from multiplying to help the natural immune system fight off the infection. (4, 5)

What is Antibiotic Resistance?

Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria develop the ability to defeat the drugs designed to kill them (6). Bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics through various means. A bacteria may use one of the following mechanisms to evade an antibiotic's effects (7):

• Restriction of access by changing the cell's entryways
• Production of pumps in the cell wall to push antibiotics out of the cell
• Change or destruction of antibiotics with enzymes
• Induction of change to an antibiotic's target so it no longer has its desired effect
• Development of new cellular processes for survival without using the antibiotic's target

Antibiotic resistance was noted soon after penicillin was widely used to treat infections among World War II soldiers in the 1940s and became a widespread problem in the 1950s. New antibiotics are developed to combat the problem; however, resistance is now seen to nearly all antibiotic classes. (8)

Signs & Symptoms of Antibiotic Resistance

Bacterial infections can cause symptoms in almost every body system, depending on the location of the infection. If you are sick with an antibiotic-resistant infection, symptoms will not improve with antibiotic therapy. (9)

Some of the most common general signs and symptoms of infection include:

• Fever
• Chills and sweats
• Swollen and painful lymph nodes
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Body aches and pain
• Gastrointestinal symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain
• Respiratory symptoms: cough, runny nose, nasal congestion
• Ear and Throat symptoms: ear pain, sore throat

How Serious Is Antibiotic Resistance?

According to the World Health Organization, antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to global health, food security, and development (2). At least 700,000 people die each year due to drug-resistant diseases. Without action, death tolls could increase to 10 million deaths annually by 2050. (10)

Antibiotic resistance can affect anyone of any age and in any country. Antibiotic resistance makes the treatment of infections more complicated and, perhaps, impossible. It leads to extended hospital stays, higher medical costs, increased risk of side effects from second and third-line treatment options, and increased mortality. (2, 6)

Possible Causes of Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotic resistance can occur naturally through bacterial mutation and evolution, but other controllable factors accelerate the process (2).

Antibiotic Overuse

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated a direct relationship between antibiotic consumption and the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria (8). The CDC estimates that over 80 million unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions are written in the United States annually.

Inappropriate Prescribing of Antibiotics

Treatment of non-bacterial infections with antibiotics, incorrect duration of antibiotic therapy, or the wrong antibiotic agent can expedite bacterial resistance by promoting bacterial mutations and changes in gene expression. Studies have estimated that in up to half of the cases where an antibiotic is prescribed, treatment indication, choice of antibiotic, or duration of antibiotic therapy is incorrect. (8)

Agricultural Use of Antibiotics

Antibiotics are widely administered to livestock to prevent illnesses and stimulate growth. However, routine use of antibiotics in animals can contribute to bacterial resistance in the animals. Antibiotics and antibiotic-resistant bacteria are then transmitted to humans by consuming meat, further exacerbating the problem of antibiotic resistance and difficult-to-treat infections. (8)

International Travel

International travel has been deemed a significant risk factor for acquiring and spreading multidrug-resistant bacterial infections due to a lack of following safe food and hand hygiene principles and overusing antibiotics for traveler's diarrhea.

Functional Medicine Labs to Test for Root Cause of Antibiotic Resistance

The key to safely treating bacterial infections with antibiotics is correctly identifying the presence of a bacterial pathogen. Basic screening for infection includes a complete blood count (CBC), which should show an elevation of white blood cells and neutrophils in the presence of an acute, active bacterial infection. Procalcitonin is an inflammatory marker that elevates with bacterial infections and can be ordered to differentiate between viral and bacterial infections.

Standard and functional lab companies will offer antibiotic susceptibility testing with cultures, which is needed for determining the correct antibiotic agent for an identified bacterial infection. Many functional labs also test the efficacy of natural antimicrobial agents to provide alternative antibiotic options for patients who prefer to avoid them. Test choice will depend upon the patient's presenting symptoms; options may include a stool test for gastrointestinal symptoms, urinalysis for urinary symptoms, throat culture for respiratory symptoms, or vaginal culture for vaginal symptoms.

Functional Medicine Treatment for Antibiotic Resistance

Addressing antibiotic resistance requires the prevention of infections, improving antibiotic use, and stopping the spread of antibiotic-resistant diseases (11).

Healthcare providers can help prevent antibiotic resistance by only prescribing antibiotics when needed and targeting the medicine to the specific bacteria involved. Patients should not pressure a doctor for an antibiotic when it is unnecessary or take an antibiotic prescribed for someone else. When prescribed an antibiotic, take it exactly as prescribed without skipping doses or terminating therapy before completing the entire course. (9)

Diet for Antibiotic Resistance

Avoiding meat consumption from animals raised with antibiotics may help stop the spread of antibiotic resistance (12, 13).

Additionally, eating an anti-inflammatory, whole-food diet that is nutrient-dense and low in processed sugars can support general immune function to prevent and fight infections naturally (14).

Supplements and Herbs to Help with Antibiotic Resistance

Natural antimicrobial agents are effective in treating and preventing bacterial infections. Scientific literature supports that certain spices, herbal compounds, and natural supplements exhibit antibacterial and immune-supportive activity. Clove, cardamom, cinnamon, cumin, garlic, oregano, rosemary, and thyme are all effective options for treating bacterial infections, even antibiotic-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus. (15)

Many phytochemicals found naturally in plants can be used alone or in combination with antibiotics to produce synergistic antimicrobial effects. Evidence suggests that using natural compounds, including berberine, curcumin, green tea, resveratrol, and sulforaphane, can increase the potency of antibiotics when used together, preventing the development of and overcoming antibiotic resistance. (16)

Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant, has direct antimicrobial activity, and can destabilize bacterial biofilms, making bacteria beneath the biofilms easier to kill with antibiotics or other antimicrobial agents. (14)

Vitamin D is important for immunological signaling and immune responses against foreign pathogens. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to increased susceptibility to infection, and supplementation has been shown to support eradicating bacterial species of Pseudomonas, Helicobacter, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus. (14, 17)

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Prevent the Spread of Infection

Good hygiene practices can prevent the spread of bacterial-resistant infections. These include washing hands thoroughly with soap and water, not sharing food or beverages while sick, and covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing. (11, 14)

Summary

Antibiotic resistance is a global health concern leading to difficult-to-treat infections and many infection-related deaths. If you are worried about antibiotic resistance, there are daily habits you can practice to support the immune system and prevent illness. Work with a functional doctor when sick to discuss testing and treatment options appropriate for managing the infection.