Listeria monocytogens and why should you care?
Listeria monocytogens is a species of detrimental bacteria that is capable of exerting toxic effects on the body. Treated as antigens by the immune system, detrimental bacteria may displace or over-run the beneficial bacteria within the digestive tract. Detrimental bacteria reside in the digestive tract and may case the production of Hydrogen Sulfide and Sulfur Dioxide in the body leading to flatulence [farts] and body odor.
A common cause of diarrhea, several types of detrimental bacteria are implicated in food poisoning. The Food and Drug Administration tests our food supply for detrimental bacterias including Liseria monocytogens. Their website states; "Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. Healthy people rarely contract listeriosis. However, listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Listeriosis can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths, as well as serious and sometimes fatal infections in those with weakened immune systems, such as infants, the elderly and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider."
Most recently, November 14, 2010, the New Braunfels Smokehouse, a New Braunfels, Texas, establishment, recalled approximately 2,609 pounds of fully cooked, ready-to-eat smoked turkey breast products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced. [reference: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_060_2010_Release/index.asp retreived November 14, 2010] I am not phobic about food-borne bacteria because I pray to God the creator of the heavens and earth. I also consume foods and herbs that inhibit various forms of detrimental bacteria. To discover that food supplements our body's ability to stay healthy gives new meaning to the saying "let your food be your medicine
Since the digestive tract is the target for detrimental bacteria, it is important to keep it healthy. This is where probiotics come into play. Yogurt with active cultures are a good source of probiotics as are probiotic supplements. Honey is excellent at inhibiting the growth of many types of bacteria. Propolis, sometimes called "bee glue", is documented to exhibit antimicrobial or bactericidal effects.
Cranberries and grapes are a tasty way impair detrimental bacteria from taking over your good bacteria. The list of herbs which keep detrimental bacteria in check is long. Astragalus, Cinnamon, Green Tea, Holy Basil, Olive Leaf, Rosemary and St. John's Wort are just a few examples that have been studied and shown to have effectiveness against detrimental bacteria. Grapefruit Seed Extract is very effective against over 770 types of detrimental bacteria.
Improper food processing is a giant gateway for Listeria monocytogenes and other detrimental bacteria. Temperature and cleanliness are very important processes. Perhaps the agencies responsible for the safety of our food supply could stand to do a few more inspections. They probably need more money so they can hire more inspectors too! Until that occurs you can protect yourself by employing some of the food and herbs I mentioned. Think of it as your personal health care reform act.