The power of the Bugs

 It is indeed a paradox that with all the achievements of humanity the bugs bacteria, parasites, fungi and viruses are capable of creating havoc and laying low so many persons daily. The morbidity and mortality caused by these are there for all to see. While technology and science have made life far easier and comfortable our vulnerability to bugs has increased manifold and the capacity to defeat the invaders has declined precipitously.

Infection is a result of the confluence of three factors, the infecting bug, the host namely the human body and the environment. We seem to believe that care of the host and control of environment is in our control and the bug is not, however really all three are under our control. To add to this confluence there are two more issues under consideration, immunisation and Antibiotic resistance. While we talk of life on Mars, automation, high technology innovations, internet of things  and the threat of Artificial Intelligence we neglect the war on bugs which will make all the other threats look like peaceful strolls in the park. 

The human body is a machine designed to function smoothly in harmony and is a marvel of creativity. The sheer depth of embryological development and differentiation from a set of cells to a fully functioning live child which has the potential to function and self heal given the right mix of nutrition, environment and nurturing. Yet we abuse all of this by our lifestyles of indulgence, indolence, laziness and stress. These in turn lead to genetic mutations and many birth defects. On top of all that the skewed development model based on crass consumerism making profit and selfish living the prime purpose of existence all conspire to create a doctored pitch where every bug can win and create havoc. Even we create climatic conditions and pollute our air water and food and the bugs become more powerful and capable to infect and neutralise antimicrobial agents. 

The human creation and the food chain left to nature is a story of harmonius living and peaceful co-existence. The story of the gut microbiome and its benefits in terms helping digestion and absorption of complex carbohydrates, generation of nutrients like Vitamin K, B1B2B12 etc. Also they are immuno boosters, they are good anti inflammatory agents and to our utter surprise they seem to stimulate secretion of mood elevating substances loke dopamine and seretonin. All these make bugs our second brain. So what is this paradox of bugs laying us low yet being our friend and protector. Natural fermented food, super foods, high fiber food based fruits, vegetables, nuts and sprouts steamed of minimally cooked are needed to get the good gut bugs going. But we love junk food, pizzas, chips, burgers, meat chicken etc. none of which give us good gut bacteria. 

But given the present situation the rampant irrational use on antibiotics and anti microbials empirically in the garb of broad spectrum antibiotics is compounding the problem of resistance. The reluctance to do a culture and sensitivity test are making antibiotic drug resistance a harsh reality and increasingly doctors are facing the prospect of losing patients.  Bugs are causing uncontrolled or uncontrollable infections with no anti microbial arsenal at our command. 

It is not uncommon to come across cases when doctors have nothing to offer in cases of fulminant septicemia. All of these are leading to loss of lives and soon there will be no effective drugs left. Anti fungals and the ICU stays with use of rare drugs leads to financial drain in a lost cause. The scenario of over 10 million yearly deaths of all age groups including those under age of five makes the human loss greater than economic loss. Pharmaceuticals land up in a conundrum as research and development in developing new drugs is expensive and the ability to keep prices high to get profits is limited. The overuse and misuse leads further microbial resistance rendering the antibiotics useless even before they sell in good numbers. 

Can we restore the gut microbes and will they help overcome the bad bugs. Use of newer probiotics, fecal matter transplant are the way forward and are in the experimental stage. 

Hard as it may seem going back to healthy nutritious food, changing life style, improving the environment and strengthening the gut maybe the gateway to a long life. 

Vispi Jokhi