ARE ANTIBIOTICS MAKING US FAT?
By Michal Baird, M.D. -
There is an explosion of research in the human micro biome. Scientists are learning that “no man is an island.” We are, in fact, teeming with bacteria, viruses and other such critters – on our skin, in our gut, and everywhere. And even more astounding, we need each other! In our zeal to wipe out these “filthy” critters, we have neglected the time to get to know each other.
GUT CHECK TIME
The micro biota living in our guts greatly outnumber our own cells. Plus, they work for us. They make vitamin B12 and other beneficial compounds. We can’t make B12 on our own. H. Pylori, the bug that leads to peptic ulcer disease, quickly changed the treatment to primarily antibiotics.
Studies are now showing that H. Pylori also regulates ghrelin (hunger hormone) levels. If you have H. Pylori in your stomach, you have a drop in ghrelin after you eat. No drop in ghrelin, then you stay hungry and may eat more. If you eat more… well, you get the picture.
Kids these days generally don’t have any H. Pylori. Rounds of antibiotics for ear infections, bronchitis (you name it) have been changing the population. And this scenario does seem to be part of the obesity puzzle. So, the next time you ask for that pink antibiotic medicine and your doctor doesn’t really think you need it, take his or her advice – it may save a few pounds.
AND THERE IS MORE
We don’t seem to be inoculating ourselves with these helpful bugs. Babies get their first inoculation by traveling through the vaginal canal. A caesarean section bypasses this process. Also, playing outside with bare feet can boost inoculation, as well as walks in the woods and petting our dogs.
Recent comparisons of the distal (lower) gut micro biome of obese mice and lean mice (as well as lean and obese human volunteers) have revealed that obesity is associated with changes in the numbers of two of the main bacterial divisions – bacteriodes and fimicutes. Peter Turnbaugh, et al., found that this trait is transmissible.
Colonization of germ free mice with an “obese gang” results in greater body fat than the “lean gang” germs. Apparently the obese gang has a greater capacity to harvest energy from the diet.
Fecal transplants have been used to treat recurrent C. Diff infections. Perhaps this will become a weapon in the war against obesity. Hopefully not, but if you do choose this treatment, the inoculating tube comes in from above, not from below. So know (and like) thy donor well.
AND STILL MORE!
Dr. Luding at Boston Children’s Hospital, in a study of 73 obese adults, looked at high and low insulin secretors. The high secretors tended to be of the “apple” shape and the low secretors of the “pear” shape. The lower carb-eating plan has more success with the apple category, both in losing weight and also in the critical maintenance phase. Pears seem to be able to add more carbs to their diet as long as they don’t overeat and continue to exercise. So, for apples, checking the insulin level seems to be important.
STAY TUNED
The gut micro biome also plays a role in regulating inflammation and prodding our immunity into action. Stay tuned for the rest of the story.
Periodicals and articles referred to in this article supplied upon request.
The author grew up on a farm amongst beef cattle, dairy cattle, hogs, a few chickens, horses, dogs, cats and yes, a few humans. She seems to have a healthy gut….while her husband, a town boy, does not. Coincidence or something in their microbiome?
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Metabolic Medical Centers
Metabolic Medical Centers of Columbia -
Columbia Weight Loss Center
Mt. Pleasant Office
570 Long Point Rd, Suite 101
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
843.971.1919
West Ashley Office
1941 Savage Rd, Suite 100F
West Ashley, SC 29407
843.573.9910