Antibiotics can make us well, but are they also making us fat? Farmers have long used antibiotics to make cows, pigs, and chickens gain weight faster. In a recent article in the journal Nature, scientists found that being exposed to antibi otics early in life may also make children grow fat. The drugs can alter the compo sition of the bacterial population in the gut dur ing a crucial developmental stage that may have a long-lasting impact. The bac teria play a important role in the diges tion and absorption of nutrients in our diet. Antibiotics can damage the delicate balance of good and bad bacteria in the gut. Besides prescriptions, by consuming meat, dairy, and eggs, we are getting a steady stream of anti biotics.
Can antibiotics be making us fat?
Dr. Daniel Thomas, DO, MS
Dr. Thomas is a dedicated and hard-working physician with a wealth of knowledge and experience. With a medical career spanning over 35 years, he has helped people worldwide by providing innovative solutions to improving and maintaining their health. His strength lies in his scientific curiosity, creative and analytical thinking, and practical application of important biomedical research. Despite the demands of a full-time medical practice, to stay at the forefront and continuously improve the care of his patients, Dr. Thomas devotes 20-30 hours a week to reviewing the latest scientific literature and talking with leading scientists to uncover potentially promising treatments.