antibiotic use Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Hidden Dangers of Antibiotic Use: Did Your Doctor Tell You This?

The AHA! Team — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 05:48:38 +0000

Dena Schmidt via NaturalHealth365 – While antibiotics can help fight off unhealthy bacteria, they can also suppress the growth of the bacteria that contribute to a healthy gut microbiome and a robust immune system. Not only are bacteria developing antibiotic resistance at an alarming rate, but research from the University of Virginia School of Medicine has found that antibiotic use can also make the gut microbiome and the immune system more prone to dis-ease. The researchers believe that gut problems are due to the reduced levels of ‘good’ gut bacteria that help fight disease. While antibiotics can help fight off unhealthy bacteria, they can also suppress the growth of the bacteria that contribute to a healthy gut microbiome and a robust immune system. Additionally, a 2023 study published in Cell Reports Medicine found that prior antibiotic use can negatively impact immune responses by diminishing gut microbiome diversity and altering systemic immune function. The study demonstrated that patients with advanced gastric cancer who had taken antibiotics experienced poorer outcomes when treated with PD-1 inhibitors, a type of immunotherapy. Immune system ‘first responder cells’ impaired by antibiotic use The researchers specifically found that neutrophils, an important immune system white blood cell, were dramatically suppressed. This weakened the intestinal barrier against invading bugs and made the entire immune system less effective at fighting off infections. Neutrophils are in a sense the immune system’s “first responders” against invading foreign pathogens. Antibiotics were found to disrupt the balance of the gut microbiome to the extent that natural microbes could not properly do their job. This in turn left the gut and the entire body more susceptible to infection. Researchers are still seeking more insights into the role of the gut microbiome in health. Although the microorganisms that live inside us are still somewhat mysterious, they undoubtedly play a key role in digestion and overall health. The entire gut microbiome and immune system are compromised by the overuse of antibiotics For the study, the University of Virginia School of Medicine researchers focused on amebic colitis, a deadly parasitic infection commonly found in developing countries. Antibiotic use is widespread in many third-world or developing countries. The researchers collected and analyzed stool samples from children living in the slums of Dhaka, Bangladesh. They found those with the most severe infections had far less gut microbiome diversity. This correlated with high antibiotic use in this area, where children often receive two dozen or more antibiotic treatments by the age of two. Use vitamin C, vitamin D, and a healthy diet to bolster the immune system naturally This research adds to the mounting evidence that antibiotics should not be used unless absolutely necessary. Not only does antibiotic overuse lead to multi-drug-resistant bacteria, but it also raises the risk of infection due to impaired immune system functioning. Let this serve as a reminder to avoid antibiotics whenever possible. Instead, strive to keep your immune system strong through a healthy diet, sufficient vitamin C, and adequate vitamin D intake through sunshine exposure and/or supplementation. We at NaturalHealth365 can only hope that government health officials – especially within developing countries – will read this article and take action to help save lives. Editor’s note: For the finest quality probiotics, vitamins C and D, I suggest you look at the LuvByNature brand. Sources for this article include: NIH.govNews-Medical.net To read the original article click here.

The post Hidden Dangers of Antibiotic Use: Did Your Doctor Tell You This? appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.

What’s Behind the Rising Rates of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Among Older Adults?

AHA Publisher — Fri, 10 Jun 2022 07:00:06 +0000

News Staff via NaturalHealth365 – Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a painful condition. A new study done by Dr. Adam Faye of the New York University Langone School of Medicine found that people over 60 with a history of antibiotic use may be at increased risk of developing the condition. During the recently held Digestive Disease Week conference in San Diego, Dr. Faye shared these findings, shining a light on the concerning trend. Millions of Americans Suffer From This Painful Disease According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 3 million Americans suffer from inflammatory bowel disease. The painful condition characterized by an inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract (GI) is also an umbrella term for other GI diseases, like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. In Dr. Faye’s findings, he was adamant about the fact that “there is clearly something in the environment that is driving this new onset of older adult IBD.” His findings indicated that antibiotics were the culprit and common denominator in all cases. Here is some of what Dr. Faye found: Antibiotics use was associated with a 64% increase in the risk of developing IBD among older adults Five or more antibiotic prescriptions received over the previous 5 years increased the risk of IBD by 236% Of all the antibiotic classes, fluoroquinolones had the strongest association with increased IBD risk Antibiotics have also been linked to a higher risk of bowel cancer, heart attack, and stroke Other Ways That Antibiotics Can Harm the Body Of course, antibiotics can help treat and prevent certain types of bacterial infections. However, antibiotic overuse can lead to other problems in the body, such as the development of antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance is particularly troubling because it can lead to the emergence of “superbugs.” That’s why it’s so important to weigh the risks and benefits with your doctor to make sure that taking a certain antibiotic is absolutely necessary. Many mild bacterial infections clear up on their own and don’t need antibiotics each time. Natural Remedies to Help Relieve Digestive Discomfort Some of the symptoms of IBD include constipation alternating with diarrhea, stomach pain, fever, rectal bleeding, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms can interfere with a person’s daily life. This is why looking at some natural remedies to relieve the discomfort of IBD is important. One of the easiest ways to boost the good bacteria in the digestive tract is by increasing the intake of probiotic-rich foods in your diet. You can also take probiotics in a supplement form. Try adding ginger, turmeric, and omega-3 fats to your diet. All three of these have powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Making dietary changes may also help alleviate some of the symptoms. For example, eat an abundance of organic fruits and vegetables, and drink enough clean water each day. Having smaller, healthy meals throughout the day can also go a long way. Before making any dietary changes or adding new supplements to your routine, consult with a knowledgeable integrative healthcare provider. Sources for this article include: CDC.gov NHS.uk ClevelandClinic.org CrohnsAndColitis.com MedicalNewsToday.com To read the original article click here.

The post What’s Behind the Rising Rates of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Among Older Adults? appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.

Antibiotic use Associated with Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Older Adults

AHA Publisher — Fri, 20 May 2022 07:00:54 +0000

American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) via Newswise – The more antibiotics prescribed to patients 60 and older, the more likely they were to develop inflammatory bowel disease, suggesting antibiotic use could explain some of the growth in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis in older people, according to a review of 2.3 million patient records in a study selected for presentation at Digestive Disease Week® (DDW) 2022. “In older adults, we think that environmental factors are more important than genetics,” said Adam S. Faye, MD, MS, lead researcher on the study and assistant professor of medicine and population health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. “When you look at younger patients with new diagnoses of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, there’s generally a strong family history. But that is not the case in older adults, so it’s really something in the environment that is triggering it.” Using Denmark’s national database, which includes nearly all medical records for residents, researchers reviewed prescribing records for people aged 60 and older who were newly diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease from 2000 to 2018. The study looked at the number of courses of antibiotics prescribed, how recently they had been prescribed in relation to the diagnosis and specific classes of antibiotics used. The study found any antibiotic use was associated with higher rates of inflammatory bowel disease, and the risk went up substantially with each course. After one prescription, patients were 27 percent more likely than those with no antibiotic use to be diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease. With two courses, the risk rose by 55 percent and with three courses it rose by 67 percent. With four courses, risk rose by 96 percent; and with five or more, seniors were more than 2.3 times, or 236 percent, more likely to receive a new inflammatory bowel disease diagnosis than those with no antibiotics in the previous five years. New diagnoses were highest when antibiotics were prescribed one to two years before, but the risk remained elevated for prescriptions in the period two to five years before diagnosis. The relationship was found for all types of antibiotics, except nitrofurantoin, which is commonly prescribed for urinary tract infections. Antibiotics usually prescribed for gastrointestinal infections were the most likely to be associated with a new inflammatory bowel disease diagnosis. Researchers omitted prescriptions less than a year before diagnosis to reduce the chance that prescriptions had been for symptoms of a yet-undiagnosed gastrointestinal disease. The study has implications for diagnosing older adults with new gastroenterological symptoms. Inflammatory bowel disease, which can easily be overlooked in this age group, should be considered, especially when there’s a history of antibiotic prescriptions, Dr. Faye said. The research also has ramifications for antibiotic stewardship. In addition to preventing the development of multi-drug resistant organisms, judicious antibiotic use is crucial to preventing inflammatory bowel disease. “Antibiotic stewardship is important; but avoiding antibiotics at all costs is not the right answer either,” Dr. Faye said. “If you’re not sure what you are treating, I would be cautious. If patients are coming in with clear infections, and they need antibiotics, they should not be withheld because of these findings.” The study was conducted in partnership with the Danish National Center of Excellence PREDICT Program. Authors did not report any conflicts of interest related to this study. To read the original article click here.

The post Antibiotic use Associated with Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Older Adults appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.