Listeriosis Prevention: Ensure your hands are washed thoroughly before preparing food
Listeriosis – what it is, whose at risk and what can I do?
Just say the word Listeriosis nowadays and you are likely to see panic on the faces of the average South African. Listeriosis is the disease caused by the bacterium Listeria Monocytogenes and can be found in water and soil, and within infected animals. Animals can carry the Listeria bacteria and spread it even if they do not display symptoms. Food contamination may result. A number of cases of Listeriosis have been reported in South Africa recently.
Listeria can be spread to people in several different ways, the most common of which is by eating food contaminated with the bacteria, such as raw (unpasteurised) milk or contaminated vegetables. The bacteria may also be passed from mother to foetus during pregnancy or directly to new born babies at the time of birth.
According to the Department of Health, age groups most affected are neonates, i.e. those within first 28 days of life (37%), as well as age group between 15 to 49 years (33%). Others at high risk of developing Listeriosis are the elderly, pregnant women, and those whose immunities are weakened through HIV, Diabetes, Cancer, chronic liver or kidney disease. Listeriosis is treatable and preventable
Listeriosis symptoms include:
- Flu-like symptoms
- Diarrhoea
- Fever
- General body pains and muscle aches
- Vomiting
- Weakness and no energy.
The Department of Health has issued warnings to the public to ensure that food produce including vegetables, fruit, and meat is washed and cleaned thoroughly before eating. Hands too must be washed before preparing and handling food.
Getting your body ready for any battle.
Fulvic Acid. Cleanliness apart, by taking your daily dose of vitamins you can add hugely to your ability to fight Listeriosis. Adding fulvic acid to your daily regime can do wonders too. Fulvic acid both complements your vitamin and mineral supplement, and aids in the absorption of nutrients in your gut as well as protecting your gut bacteria. Fulvic acid also boosts immune function and contains the best electrolyte available to keep you hydrated.
A personal favourite advantage to fulvic acid is the energy boost it gives. This ensures that your body has the power it needs to fight Listeria and other bacteria in general.
“Fight fire with fire”
ProBiotics. How do you fight something you cannot see? You simply get a friend of the same size with the right ammo. By adding a probiotic to your daily plan is as simple as 10ml a day. A study conducted by Corr et al 2007 concluded that selected Lactobacillus and Bifidibacterium species impacted Listeria monocytogenes infection. In this study it was clear that pre-treatment of the intestinal epithelial cells in your gut can decrease the invasion of Listeria. (Sinead C. Corr, 2007). [1] Bioteq’s Pro 32 probiotic includes the probiotic species used in this study.
Vitamin C is probably the best known immune booster and co-factor. When your immune system is at war, it produces free radicals, vitamin C sweeps them up and neutralizes them. Pathogens’ metabolism produces toxins that make you feel ill, fulvic acid and vitamin C detoxifies these toxins. Using Vitamin C Fulvisomes™ gives you the combined power of fulvic acid and vitamin C while the liposome technology ensures total absorption of the vitamin C .
Three steps to arm yourself against Listeriosis.
- Take your daily dose of Fulvic acid, Vitamin C Fulvisomes™ and Pro 32 probiotics to keep your immune system in optimum fighting condition
- Drink enough water (good quality water, maybe Fulvic aqua)
- Rest well.
Disclaimer. Bioteq does not diagnose or offer medical diagnosis or prescribe medicine. Bioteq offers healthy foodstuffs.
[1] Sinead C. Corr, C. G. (2007). Impact of selected Lactobacillus and Bifdobacterium species. Cork: Blackwell Publishing Ltd