Some things are not worth fighting for. Eliminating bacteria from the body is clearly one of them.

In an overdue essay on America's anti-bacteria obsession, writer Christopher Wanjek highlights bacteria's positive attributes while encouraging readers to give up hope of living bacteria-free lives. Wanjek, who is also author of Bad Medicine and Food At Work, does not mince words. "Bacteria outnumber human cells in your body 10 to one," he writes. "This is a good thing."

Bacteria can be found in the digestive tract where they work with the body's chemicals to break down food into vitamins and minerals that are easily absorbed. Numerous species of (harmless) bacteria are also found in the skin. These bacteria keep dangerous bacteria (a.k.a. "germs") from attacking the skin. While both regular and antibacterial soap destroy germ-ridden dirt, the later also kills the helpful bacteria that we need to keep germs at bay. According to the Soap and Detergent Association, more than three-quarters of liquid soap and more than a quarter of bar soaps available today contain triclosan, an antibiotic that kills most bacteria, both good and bad.

Wanjek concludes by crushing the illusion that antibacterial products help to prevent colds and flu. "Colds and flu are caused by viruses, not bacteria," he explains. "Most bacterial infections in the United States are food-borne: salmonella, listeria, and E. coli. We cannot wash food in triclosan. Apparently we tolerate feces in our food supply yet reach for an antibacterial wipe to clean some jelly off the counter. It's enough to make you sick."

[via Live Science]

Image: sdnhm.org