The discovery of antibiotics has been a huge success in the evolution of modern healthcare. Millions of people have benefited from their life-saving “germ” killing abilities. Unfortunately, the over-use of antibiotics has led to the emergence of new antibiotic resistant “super bugs”. And now, new evidence is suggesting antibiotics could be contributing to weight gain.
Research About Antibiotics and Weight Gain
In the new book “Missing Microbes: How the Overuse of Antibiotics Is Fueling our Modern Plagues”, author Dr Martin Blaser considered the practice of administering antibiotics to livestock to fatten them. Seeing the growing plague of obesity, he endeavored to find a link between antibiotics and human weight gain. To test his hypothesis he conducted a study with mice. One group of mice was administered antibiotics regularly in additional to normal water and food. A control group received the same water and food, but no antibiotics. The results were startling. Not only did the group which received the antibiotics gain weight, but the females gained weight at a higher rate than the males.
The concern that antibiotics are contributing to our nations increasing obesity rates is not new. For almost 70 years, the amount of evidence that antibiotics could be making us gain weight has been growing.
So what can you do?
- Only use antibiotics when absolutely necessary.There are times when antibiotics are the answer. However, there are certain conditions, like recurrent ear infections in children, which can be improved with chiropractic care and nutrition supplements.
- Consider Pro-Biotics when antibiotics cannot be avoided. Antibiotics kill bacteria, the good and the bad. Pro-biotics re-introduce “good” bacteria back into the system.
- Look for “Antibiotic-Free” labels on meat. More stores are carrying “antibiotic-free” meat. If your local store doesn’t have any “antibiotic-free” meat, ask your grocer if they can start carrying it.
