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If you’ve ever wondered about antibiotics and if you should be taking them, then you’ve come to the right place. But before we dive in, take a second and think about this-
- Do you or your children catch colds frequently?
- Do you then go to the doctor or the pharmacy and get antibiotics to cure yourself?
- Do you feel low energy and bloated in the days following the doses?
If this sounds familiar, then you need to start taking care of your and your children’s gut.
What is a gut microbiome and why is it important?
The gut microbiome is a community of microorganisms (microbes) that live in your digestive system. They help you digest food, support your immune function, and influence your overall health.
After birth, a baby's gut microbiome closely resembles that of their mother's. As we age, it becomes more and more diverse. By the time we’re around 2 to 4 years old, our gut microbiome resembles that of an adult. Factors like our immediate surroundings, diet, fiber intake, medications, and alcohol consumption strongly influence the diversity of our gut microbiome.
A diverse gut microbiome = a healthy gut microbiome
These microbes help with digestion, combat harmful pathogens, regulate the immune system, prevent obesity, and stabilize blood sugar levels. So it’s not a surprise that a healthy gut microbe is crucial for leading a healthy life.
Antibiotics- your gut’s worst enemy
Antibiotics are one of the greatest inventions of modern medicine. They have single-handedly improved survival rates across all age groups by curing several bacterial infections. Antibiotics save lives by destroying the harmful bacteria inside our bodies. But there is a catch. Since they can’t differentiate between good and bad bacteria, antibiotics destroy them both. This is like setting an entire forest on fire to kill a few weeds.
Overusing antibiotics is harmful because they-
- Disrupt the delicate balance of our gut microbiome by killing good bacteria, and
- Increase the risk of drug resistance among surviving strains
The impact of this disturbance varies from person to person. As bad as ‘broad spectrum doses’ are, even short-term or low-dose antibiotics can have a long-lasting impact on our health. Unfortunately, India has the “highest rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR)” and this led to doctors calling for a total ban on the over-the-counter sale of antibiotics. Even the Ministry of Health has proposed including a clear indication or justification for prescribing antibiotics as a mandatory practice for doctors.
Is antibiotic overuse really that bad?
Turns out, yes it is.
Even a short course of antibiotics may disrupt the gut microbiome for up to 6 months, with the most significant disruption typically occurring within the first 18 months of life.
According to a 2010 study, the risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is highest in the three months following antibiotic treatment. Frequent use of antibiotics during infancy and childhood has been linked to changes in gut microbial composition and a heightened risk of asthma and allergies. (Ni et al., 2019; Yamamoto‐Hanada et al., 2017)
Research also shows that early exposure to antibiotics can also contribute to increases in BMI (body mass index), and central obesity, particularly affecting males more than females. (Azad et al., 2014; Murphy et al., 2014).
But the specific impact of antibiotics on gut health is based on many factors like-
- The potency of antibiotics- how strong was the antibiotic?
- Duration of treatment- How long did you take them for?
- Usage frequency- How frequently do you take them?
- General well-being- How was your gut health before taking them?
How can you save your gut from antibiotics?
There are broadly two ways to protect your gut microbiome from antibiotics-
- Reducing the amount of antibiotics you consume
- Strengthening your gut microbiome to withstand the impact of antibiotics
Reducing antibiotics consumption
1. Limit antibiotics intake
The best way to protect your gut from antibiotics is to reduce their usage. We are used to taking antibiotics every time we feel a cold coming. But antibiotics are specifically designed to combat bacterial infections and are not effective against viral illnesses such as the common cold, flu, or COVID-19. In many cases, including minor bacterial infections, antibiotics may not be necessary unless prescribed by a doctor.
2. Practice Infection Prevention
Preventing infections is the key to maintaining overall health. Adopt good hygiene practices, like washing hands with soap for 20 seconds before eating or after using the bathroom. If this isn’t possible, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Covering your mouth and nose while sneezing also goes a long way in preventing the spread of harmful bacteria.
3. Don’t self-medicate
Don’t buy antibiotics from the pharmacy without consulting a doctor. In most cases, antibiotics are not even necessary to make a full recovery.
4. Don’t pressure your doctor for antibiotics
Avoid pressuring your doctor to prescribe antibiotics for quicker recovery. Let them decide the best course of treatment.
Strengthening the gut microbiome
You can strengthen your gut microbiome by
1. Supplementing with a good probiotic
Taking probiotics with antibiotics may reduce their harmful impact on gut health. Probiotics help in
- Partially restoring gut flora,
- fortifying the intestinal barrier, and
- reducing the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria
But make sure that you start taking them on the same day as starting antibiotics and continue for at least a week after finishing your antibiotics course. For maximum effectiveness, keep a gap of 2 hours between probiotics and antibiotics.
Please note- Always buy high-quality probiotics from a reputable manufacturer. They must contain at least one of the following strains at a dosage of 5 to 40 billion colony-forming units per day: Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Saccharomyces boulardii, or Bifidobacterium species.
Keep in mind that probiotics might carry their own set of risks for individuals with compromised immune systems. Please consult a doctor to weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks.
2. Maintain a diet rich in prebiotics
Eating prebiotic foods like yogurt, bananas, and fermented foods can promote a healthy gut microbiome. Make sure you consume a high-fiber diet, stay hydrated, and avoid sugary, processed foods, and alcohol to boost your gut health.
Last word of advice
Antibiotics are a scientific miracle. There’s no denying that. But there’s also no denying that they are harmful to our gut microbes. As the last word of advice, limit antibiotic intake whenever possible and work on improving your gut health. Your gut is linked to nearly every facet of your health, from digestion to the immune system to mood. Always remember- a healthy gut = healthy you.
We’d love to hear from you. If you have any questions, feel free to post them in the comments and we’ll make sure we answer.
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