A new study published in the journal Nature from researchers at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg, Germany report that not only can many common non-antibiotic drugs alter gut bacteria, but they can also contribute to antibiotic resistance.

The human gut is home to vast colonies of bacteria called gut microbiota. A balance of bacteria in the gut is important, as it supports proper digestion and overall health.

For the investigation, researchers compiled a panel of 40 species of gut bacteria that are typically found in the human gut and use it to screen more than 1,000 drugs currently on the market. Of the 923 non-antibiotic drugs that were analyzed, researchers discovered that 250 had disrupted the growth of at least one of the 40 species of gut bacteria in the panel. While researchers say more research must be done, this study has highlighted a potential, previously unknown risk – the use of non-antibiotic drugs may contribute to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.

“This is scary,” say co-author Dr. Athanasios Typas, who leads a group in the Genome Biology Unit at EMBL, “considering that we take many non-antibiotic drugs in our life, often for long periods.

Probiotics are Healthy Gut Bacteria

Probiotics are friendly bacteria that make up the microbiome of your gut or digestive tract and are the key to good health, especially for good digestion and regularity. Bacteria, though naturally present in the body, accounts for two pounds of bio-mass in your intestines, which needs a balance of beneficial bacteria to promote good health.

Levels of probiotics decrease with age and can also be impacted by other factors, including a poor diet and obesity. As level decrease, problematic bacteria in the gut thrive, which can lead to digestive problems like bloating and gas.

Probiotics may be beneficial for you if –

1. You’re on an antibiotic. According to a report in the April 2002 issue of Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, researchers analyzed the results of 34 studies and concluded that the use of probiotics during antibiotic therapy resulted in a 50% lower risk of developing Antibiotic-Associate Diarrhea (AAD) compared to those taking a placebo, in both children and adult data from the study.
2. You’re trying to lose weight. In a 2013 study published in the British Journal of Nutrition, researchers found that probiotic supplementation over a 24 week period showed significantly higher weight loss than those who took a placebo. In the double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial of obese men and women, each subject consumed either two capsules of probiotics or a placebo. Each group was submitted to moderate energy restriction for the first 12 weeks, followed by 12 weeks of weight maintenance. After 24 weeks, a significant treatment between sex interactions was observed. The mean weight loss in women in the probiotic group was significantly higher than that in women in the placebo group.
3. You have digestive issues. Probiotics, especially the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species, have been shown in numerous clinical trials to support healthy digestion. When your gut bacteria is balanced and healthy, it keeps your entire digestive system working as it should. This allows for healthy digestion and absorption of foods (carbohydrates, fats and proteins), maintaining acidity of the colon and normalizing bowel movements, eliminates issues with gas, and supports the ability to digest dairy products.
4. You have bad skin or acne. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, emerging research is finding that the benefits of probiotics may extend beyond the digestive tract and into the skin. “In fact”, the website reports, “skin prone to acne or rosacea has shown improvement with daily probiotic use, giving dermatologists reason to consider supplementing traditional acne therapy with a dose of this beneficial bacteria.”
5. You suffer from UTIs. According to the University of Colorado’s department of Urogynecology, one area where probiotics have been studied is in women with recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs), which occurs due to the transmission of pathogens (bacteria) from the rectum and/or vagina to the urethra or bladder. According to a randomized, controlled trial (published to the universities website) involving treatment of UTIs with Lactobacillus probiotics, there was a 73% reduction in episodes of recurrent UTI compared with the previous year. The control group had six UTIs per patient per year vs. 1.3 UTIs per patient per year after intravaginal administration of probiotics.

How to Compensate Drug- Induced Nutrient Depletions

Whether you occasionally take a pharmaceutical like an antibiotic, or count on a drug long term, such as a cholesterol health lowering statin, your need for specific nutrients increases. You must be aware that many prescriptions, as well as commonly used over-the-counter drugs, can cause potentially serious nutrient depletions. That’s why you should always seek advice or get checked out by your doctor first before taking an unknown medication, as you don’t want your problem to get worse by taking something that you’re unfamiliar with. Jerry Hickey, R.Ph, Scientific Director and Radio Host at InVite® Health has created a Drug-Induced Nutrient Depletion Chart in order to educate you on the nutrients that are commonly depleted by commonly consumed drugs.

Questions about gut bacteria, nutrient depletions or Probiotics? Leave us a comment below to join the conversation!