We tend to think of the trillions of microorganisms that live in our bodies as our enemies. They aren’t. The gut has a complex ecosystem that is essential for survival. These microorganisms break down plant fibers. They help regulate body fat storage. They regulate blood sugar levels. They even influence hormones that signal hunger. Recent research suggests that the specific composition of these microbes may play a role in whether you are overweight or thin.
The problem starts with broad-spectrum antibiotics. These drugs do not distinguish between harmful pathogens and beneficial bacteria. A 2012 study showed that just 24 hours of antibiotic treatment significantly reduced the diversity of the gut microbiome. If you remove the bacteria there, a hole will be created. Harmful organisms can move in.
“When patients are treated in hospitals and nursing homes with antibiotics, the risk doubles as the original colon bacteria disappear… Healthcare facilities are full of resistant and particularly virulent bacteria.” —Usha Stiefel, Case Western Reserve University
The danger is compounded in healthcare settings. this risk is even more serious. Without protective natural bacteria, patients are more likely to develop drug-resistant strains. This is a double threat.
Most people believe that the intestinal flora recovers quickly. Technically yes. After antibiotic treatment, the absolute number of microorganisms returned to the pre-treatment level. However, this figure is misleading. The remaining bacteria are not the same as before.
Research shows that the ability of the surviving bacteria to perform important tasks is reduced. They produce less protein. Iron absorption is low. They digest certain foods less well. They generate fewer essential chemical molecules. The ecosystem has changed. It is not just repopulated; it is altered.
The effects on the “mixing” of bacteria are much more permanent than the bacterial counts suggest. A 2012 study published in the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy found that infants’ microbial diversity remained reduced eight weeks after antibiotic treatment. In adults, this disorder lasts even longer. A 2011 study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences followed adults treated with strong broad-spectrum antibiotics. After 10 months, the internal microbial mix was still significantly disturbed. Scientists do not yet fully understand the long-term health effects of this altered state.
So the next time you need antibiotics for a runny nose or a viral sore throat, pause. You might be wiping out the very bacteria that regulate metabolism and weight, and its effects last long after the bottle is emptied.
