antibiotic 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.

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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.

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Commonly Used Sweeteners May Promote Antibiotic Resistance

AHA Publisher — Thu, 04 Mar 2021 08:00:02 +0000

Sally Robertson, B.Sc. via News-Medical Net – Researchers in Australia have conducted a study showing that commonly used nonnutritive sweeteners can promote the spread of antibiotic-resistant genes in the intestine. The study found that the sweeteners saccharine, sucralose, aspartame, and acesulfame potassium all promoted horizontal transfer of the genes between bacteria in both environmental and clinical settings. The sweeteners accelerated the exchange of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) via a process called conjugation. The genes are transferred from donor to recipient bacteria, which may then go on to develop multidrug resistance, says Zhigang Yu and colleagues from The University of Queensland in St. Lucia, Brisbane. Writing in The ISME Journal, the team says the findings provide insight into the spread of antimicrobial resistance and point to the potential risk associated with the presence of these sweeteners in food and drink. Antimicrobial Resistance Poses One of the Greatest Global Threats Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents one of the most significant global threats to public health and biosecurity in the coming decades. Currently, 700,000 people worldwide die from infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria every year. It is estimated that 10 million people will die from such infections by 2050 if action is not taken immediately. The emergence of ARGs that give rise to resistant bacteria is generally attributed to the misuse or overuse of antibiotics. The spread of ARGs among different bacterial species is mainly driven by a process called horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Conjugation is an HGT mechanism that transfers ARGs carried on mobile genetic elements such as plasmids from one bacterial cell to another. The ARGs are transferred via a pilus or pore channel connecting the host and recipient bacteria. Where Do Sweeteners Come In? Although nonnutritive sweeteners have been developed and promoted as safe food additives that allow individuals to avoid the adverse effects of consuming sugar, some commonly used sweeteners have recently been associated with health risks. For example, in vitro studies have shown that the sweeteners saccharin (SAC), sucralose (SUC), and aspartame (ASP) can induce the formation of urinary bladder tumors. These sweeteners are also associated with glucose intolerance, which is thought to arise through alterations in the gut microbiota. Studies have also provided evidence that SAC, SUC, and ASP, as well as acesulfame potassium (ACE-K), cause DNA damage in bacteria. The researchers say this is likely to activate the DNA damage response system (SOS response). Furthermore, evidence suggests that conjugative ARG transfer may be related to the SOS response. Studies have also recently demonstrated that the use of SAC, SUC, and ASP is associated with shifts in the gut microbiota that resemble those caused by antibiotics. “As antibiotics can promote the spread of ARGs, we hypothesize that these nonnutritive sweeteners could have a similar effect,” writes Yu and the team. What Did the Researchers Do? The team used three model conjugation systems to investigate whether SAC, SUC, ASP, and ACE-K promote plasmid-mediated conjugative transfer in both environmental and clinical settings. The conjugation process was also visualized at the single-cell level using microfluidics and confocal microscopy. The researchers carried out whole-genome RNA sequencing analysis and measured changes in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, the SOS response, and cell membrane permeability. What Did They Find? All four sweeteners were found to promote plasmid-mediated conjugative transfer between the same bacteria and different phylogenetic strains. Bacteria exposed to these compounds exhibited increases in ROS production, the SOS response, and conjugative ARG gene transfer at environmentally and clinically relevant concentrations. Cell membrane permeability, especially that of the donor, also played an important role in the frequency of conjugative transfer. When the cell permeability of the donor (but not the recipient bacteria) was increased, a significant increase in conjugative transfer was observed. When the cell permeability of the recipient (but not the donor) was increased, no significant change in conjugative transfer was observed. “It has been reported that in the transfer of ARGs, donors with high expression of the conjugation machinery were shown to be associated with low-receptivity recipients,” says Yu and colleagues. “Thus, the increased permeability of the donor may cause increased ARG transfer to the recipient and result in increased conjugative transfer frequency.” What Are the Implications of the Study? The researchers say studies have previously shown that wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) can serve as hotspots for antibiotic-resistant bacteria and ARGs due to HGT among indigenous bacterial species. Since the concentrations of nonnutritive sweeteners used in this study were environmentally relevant, it is reasonable to assume that upon exposure to these compounds, the transfer frequency of ARGs would be promoted in WWTPs, says the team. “It is possible that these sweeteners could cause a cascading spread of ARGs in the WWTPs, thus facilitating increased development of antibiotic resistance in downstream environmental bacteria,” writes Yu and colleagues. “Considering the substantial application of these sweeteners in the food industry (over 117,000 metric tons globally consumed per year), our findings are a wake-up call to start evaluating the potential antibiotic-like roles induced by nonnutritive sweeteners,” concludes the team. To read the original article click here.

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Breakthrough Discovery Could Turn Cancer into a Treatable Disease

AHA Publisher — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 07:00:45 +0000

University of Salford via News-Medical Net – Professor Michael Lisanti and Professor Federica Sotgia have made a discovery that could turn cancer into a treatable disease and remove the fear from a cancer diagnosis. Despite years of research and billions of pounds of investment, there are no MHRA/FDA-approved drugs for the prevention of metastasis. As a consequence, cancer metastasis remains a mysterious, untreatable, lethal disease. What is cancer metastasis? Metastasis is what happens when cancer cells spread throughout the body, most often to other organs, like the brain, bone tissue, the lungs and the liver. Metastasis, more often than not, turns cancer into an untreatable, terminal disease. No effective therapies are available. After surgical removal of the primary tumor, most cancer patients are treated with chemo-therapy and radiation to eradicate the remaining tumor cells that have been left behind, by incomplete surgical removal of cancerous lesions. Unfortunately, many cancer patients ultimately undergo tumour recurrence, resulting in distant metastasis (cancer spread). As a result, more than 90% of these patients that undergo treatment failure, die from metastatic disease. Therefore, the discovery of inhibitors of metastasis could turn cancer into a chronic treatable disease and remove the fear from a cancer diagnosis. In order to fill this knowledge gap and meet clinical needs, researchers at the University of Salford have identified that the Achilles’ heel of metastasis is ATP-depletion, which can be achieved by simply removing the cancer cell’s ability to make new energy. Professor Michael Lisanti and Professor Federica Sotgia, who both work in Translational Medicine at The University of Salford, have designed and tested new inhibitors of cancer metastasis that are based on an existing FDA-approved antibiotic, namely Doxycycline, first approved in 1967. They have now chemically modified Doxycycline, making it 5 times more potent for the targeting of metastatic cancer cells. Fortunately, this modification also renders Doxycycline ineffective as an antibiotic, effectively removing the risk for the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria and infections. In addition, they show that this new drug, which is named Doxy-Myr, to reflect that addition of a fatty acid, is also non-toxic in pre-clinical studies. “While this new family of drugs must now undergo clinical trials the work directly shows proof of concept that it is feasible to successfully design drugs that can prevent metastasis, by targeting the process of cellular energy production. Hence, cutting off the fuel supply, prevents metastasis. This breakthrough could ultimately change clinical practice, by adding metastasis prevention, as a new, more effective, weapon in the war on cancer. ” (Professor Michael Lisanti, University of Salford) To read the original article click here.

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