How do we beat bacteria? – Toxicology Zone

Question: How do we beat bacteria?
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Asked by Maryam to Anais, katy, Lauren, Richard, Stuart on 8 Mar 2016.
- Stuart Atkinson answered on 8 Mar 2016:
  
  It’s more a case of living in harmony with them. We have essential bacteria in our bodies and many plants have them in their root systems to allow them to synthesise food. Keep things clean to discourage their reproduction, cook your food properly and don’t go overboard on the antibiotics. Can someone else help with this one?!
- Lauren Laing answered on 8 Mar 2016:
  
  Not all bacteria are bad, you currently have a complex mix of bacteria living on your skin and in your gut, and you may have heard this called your gut flora! These bacteria are working together as a team, and they have a role in digestion. This could be helping you break foods down and in turn releasing vitamins such as vitamin B or absorbing fatty acids! This community in your gut is very important for your health, and has sometimes been referred to as the ‘forgotten organ’!
  
  For bad bacteria which can make us ill, we use antibiotics. You may have heard of antibiotic resistance, which is when a bacterium isn’t killed by an antibiotic medicine when it should be. This is often caused by a change in the genetic code, or DNA of the bacteria which allows it to survive. Because of this, scientists are trying to make new antibiotics which the bacteria will have never been in contact with before; these could be used when a patient is found to have a bacterial infection which is resistant.

Question: How do we beat bacteria?

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