I'll admit - I was nearly four decades old when I first heard the phrases "gut health" and "microbiome." However, I was less than ten years old when I heard the term, "antibiotics." Undoubtedly important medicines, antibiotics have revolutionized health across the globe. They have played a key role in helping people everywhere experience longer lifespans and overcome illnesses in a shorter time than in years' past.
Following a concussion-generated health scare, I began listening to informative podcasts and reading to learn about health like never before. And for the first time in nearly forty years, I began to care about my gut health.
Turns out, researchers and scientists are only beginning to scratch the surface on the role the gut plays in overall health and longevity. Though we know much, more is being revealed everyday about this delicate and diverse ecosystem - right inside our bodies.
When a person contracts a bacterial infection, chances are that doctors may prescribe an antibiotic to fight off that ailment. Antibiotics go to work killing off bacteria in our bodies or getting in the way of them spreading. Over the course of taking these antibiotic doses, slowly the bacterial infection decreases and we progress toward feeling well again.
Unfortunately, antibiotics have a broad reach and don't discriminate between "bad bacteria" and the essential, native bacteria that live and thrive inside of us. These native and beneficial bacteria are killed off by our use of antibiotics.
Read the supporting information that comes with any antibiotic medication and you'll see side effects like, "constipation, gas, diarrhea, upset stomach," and other GI-related ailments. You've probably also heard the advice to take probiotics or to eat yogurt while you're taking a course of the medications. That's because doctors have long known that antibiotics wipe out the good, the bad, and the downright important bacteria that are inside of us.
Probiotic foods (including fermented foods like this) replenish the healthy gut bacteria that is diminished by antibiotics.
Therefore, it's no surprise that researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are conducting studies to develop "gut healthy" antibiotics. Researchers are using the power of enzymes to help change the way that antibiotics interact with native gut microbes.
Deeper Dive into Antibiotics' Impact on Gut Health
The gut and antibiotics – the dynamic duo that often gets a bit complicated.
I like to imagine my gut as a bustling city, and bacteria as the citizens. Good bacteria are like the friendly neighbors who help me out, while the bad ones are the troublemakers causing chaos. Antibiotics sweep in like a cleanup crew, but in their quest to evict the bad bacteria, they might also kick out some of the good ones, disrupting the peace.
Now, why does this matter? Well, those good bacteria play a crucial role in our gut health. They help with digestion, support our immune system, and even influence our mood. In fact, there are so many roles that "good bacteria" play in our lives - more and more details of this delicate relationship emerge every day. It's like having a little community in our belly that keeps things (countless functions in our body) running smoothly.
So, when antibiotics shake things up, it can lead to what we call "gut dysbiosis" – an imbalance in the gut bacteria. Picture a garden where the delicate balance of flowers and bugs is disrupted. It takes time for things to get back in harmony.
This gut turmoil might cause some short-term inconveniences like digestive issues – commonly felt as bloating, diarrhea, or stomach upset. It's like your gut is throwing a little protest because things are out of whack.
But here's the good news – our gut is a pretty resilient place. After the antibiotic storm passes, the gut bacteria community usually bounces back. It's like the citizens regrouping after the chaos, rebuilding the city and getting back to their usual friendly activities.
However, in some cases, this recovery might take longer, especially if you've been on a heavy antibiotic dose. That's why it's essential to be a good friend to your gut during and after an antibiotic stint.
Probiotics can be your gut's best buds. These are like the reinforcements that come in to support the good bacteria. You can find them in fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi. It's like giving your gut a little boost, helping it get back on its feet.
That said, the research our of MIT is exciting and inspiring. Imagine an opportunity to decrease the chaotic impact that antibiotics typically have on the body! This is an exciting field to watch and continue following.