When they were first discovered antibiotics were considered to be “wonder drugs” - the panacea for all our ills. And indeed, there can be no doubt that over the decades antibiotics have proven to be remarkably effective in treating a whole host of bacterial infections, many of which would have previously been fatal if left untreated. But, unfortunately, as time has passed we have come to realise that antibiotics are not all that we initially hoped that they would be. And alarm bells are now ringing loud and clear.

Bacterial strains that could once have been successfully overcome with antibiotics are now developing resistance to such treatment and are once again becoming deadly. If we don’t find alternatives soon, we could all be in serious trouble.

You may be forgiven for thinking at this point that we are just being alarmist as a way to promote a product. But don’t just take our word for it. This view is shared by some of the most respected world authorities on disease and disease management. For example, in 2001 the World Health Organization launched its “Global Strategy for Containment of Antimicrobial Resistance” in which it made it clear that the problem of antibiotic resistance is one that exists on an international scale and one that requires the international community to work together to find appropriate solutions. And as far back as 1995 the American Medical Association stated that as a result of increasing antibiotic resistance “a public health problem of potentially crisis proportions” has been created.

So how did this happen? Why are bacteria becoming increasingly resistant to the drugs we have used for so long to combat them with? The reasons are complex and there is no single cause but the following factors have all played their parts:

• We have become complacent when it comes to antibiotics. We may perhaps use them when it’s not strictly necessary to do so - for example to treat minor ailments. We may use them inappropriately - for example by taking them for something other than a bacterial infection. Or we may use them incorrectly - for example by not completing the full course of antibiotics prescribed because we already feel better (experts argue that stopping treatment early can lead to increased resistance in the future). It’s ironic then that the very success that antibiotics have had in treating so many infections may be one of the key factors in their downfall
• We live in increasingly urbanized societies which, particularly in poorer countries, are often associated with overcrowding and inadequate sanitation - both harbingers of disease
• Populations are getting older and older people are often hospitalized more. This means that there is more exposure to some of the most highly resistant bacteria that have, unfortunately, developed within our hospital systems
• The spread of AIDS has left us with a growing proportion of the population who are immuno-compromised and at risk of numerous infections
• The enormous growth of global travel and trade means that infectious diseases and resistant strains can spread very quickly across huge distances. You only have to look at the spread of diseases like swine flu to see the effect of our increased global mobility
• And as far as the bacteria are concerned, it really all comes down to evolution and the survival of the fittest. Whenever bacteria are exposed to an antibiotic, natural selection prevails so that ultimately only the most resistant forms survive and reproduce. And rather than taking years and years for resistant strains to appear, this sort of adaptation happens very quickly. Mother Nature always remains one step ahead of us
• Not surprisingly pharmaceutical companies have poured countless resources into trying to come up with alternative drugs that are capable of fighting these emerging, new strains of resistant bacteria. This has taken some “out of the box” thinking but one impressive result is the introduction of 1st Line – a new and unique weapon in the fight against infection

 

The approach taken in the development of 1st Line was to draw on knowledge of how the body reacts when it first comes under attack from unwanted pathogens. Secretions produced by the body in response to this initial contact contain naturally occurring molecules known as thiocyanates (sometimes referred to as oxythiocyanate or hypothiocyanates). In technical terms, it’s actually hypothiocyanate ions that are responsible for the protective attributes of thiocyanates. In the body hydrogen peroxide reacts with the thiocyanates in order to produce hypothiocyanate. This production process results in hypothiocyanate ions. These ions are capable of entering pathogenic cells and by restricting the pathogenic cells access to energy, growth and repair mediums, they effectively kill off infections.

If then you could supplement a person’s thiocyanate levels you would be able to provide them with an incredible weapon with which to fight infection. But hypothiocyanate ions are inherently chemically unstable and short lived and harnessing their potential has, until now, presented a major obstacle in bringing any form of thiocyanates to the market place. Any thiocyanate solution would have had to have been made up and consumed immediately and would have needed appropriate medical supervision to ensure that everything was done quickly and correctly - not the most practical form of supplementation for use at home!

Fortunately, British chemist Richard Stead has now been able to overcome these issues - and the result is 1st Line. Using his patented technology, the 1st Line kit allows the four individual elements that go to make up the thiocyanate solution to be stable at room temperature for up to 2 years.

And when required, using 1st Line couldn’t be easier. You simply mix the four ingredients into water. The resulting, almost tasteless, solution then needs to be drunk within 30 minutes of preparation. Because it is vitally important that the four elements are mixed into the water in the correct order, the 1st Line kit comes complete with easy to follow instructions.

The infection fighting capabilities of thiocyanates are impressive. Not only do they offer a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity (active against both gram negative and gram positive bacteria) but they are also effective against viruses, yeasts and fungi - none of which respond to antibiotics. This means that the number of pathogens against which thiocyanates are effective against is much wider than that of antibiotics and includes some of the most common global infections such as:

• Staphylococcus aureus
• Campylobacter jejuni
• Escherichia coli
• Haemophilus influenzae
• Listeria monocytogenes
• Salmonella

 

In addition, thiocyanate supplementation avoids some of the unpleasant side effects of antibiotic treatment. The problem with antibiotics is that they are indiscriminate and will attack healthy cells as well as unwanted bacteria. This can be particularly problematic in the intestines where antibiotics may upset the delicate balance of healthy bacteria and cause intestinal problems. Thiocyanates, on the other hand, do not attack healthy cells or healthy bacteria - they only attack unwanted invaders! And being bio-identical, the safety profile of thiocyanates is extremely good, provided, of course, that doses are kept within normal levels.

And 1st line is so effective that if you take it at the first signs of a cold/flu like infection, you may not need to repeat the dose and if you do, the need to take more than two doses is highly unlikely. And even if you are feeling well, by giving your thiocyanate levels the occasional boost you can not only increase your immunity but also improve your energy levels and your general sense of well being.