Tag: Immune system

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Health Public Health

Could antibiotics increase risk of disease?

New research suggests that antibiotic use during pregnancy and in early childhood may affect a child’s chances of developing asthma, obesity, Crohn’s and other inflammatory bowel diseases later in life, and increase risk of severe infection in the first 6 years of life.

A baby’s first contact with bacteria is during birth. The organisms in the mother’s birth canal will be the first to become established in the baby’s digestive system and on the skin. If a baby is born by Caesarean section, she will acquire organisms from the mother’s skin and from whatever she contacts in the hospital.

In my June 15th blog, The world inside…, I talked about how the types of bacteria, viruses, fungi and other organisms we have in our digestive systems (collectively known as the “microbiome”) can change the way the immune system works, especially in early life when the immune system is “learning” how to function. Studies I found this week suggest that this effect can extend to later in life and perhaps even to the next generation.

Obesity

In agriculture, animals are given antibiotics to promote their growth and weight gain, increasing production. The effect is believed to occur by changing their gut microbiome. It has been proposed by scientists that a similar effect could be expected in humans. Depending on the antibiotic, growth could be promoted or stunted, the same as what is seen in animals.

An article published in the National Review of Endocrinology suggests an altered microbiome in early life could have long-lasting effects on weight, possibly contributing to 10-15% increases in rates of obesity. This article also describes how researchers have demonstrated in animals that antibiotic exposure early in life has a longer-lasting effect than when given later. This supports the premise that antibiotics have a greater disrupting effect if given while the microbiome is becoming established in the early years. In humans this happens in the first 3 years of life.

Infections

One study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology showed that antibiotics taken by an expectant mother before or during pregnancy, especially in larger amounts and close to the birth, were associated with an increased chance that the child would later be hospitalized for an infection. This is believed to be caused by an antibiotic-induced change in the microbiome, passed from the mother on to the baby, that changes the way the immune system develops in the newborn.

Inflammatory diseases

Another study reported that 7 or more courses of antibiotics in childhood increased risk of developing Crohn’s disease 7-fold. Celiac disease was also associated with early antibiotic use and these effects were greatest when the medications were given during the first year of life.

Asthma

Increased antibiotic use has also been found in many studies to be associated with asthma, but it is yet to be proven that antibiotics or resulting changes in gut microbiome are the cause. Some researchers have suggested that infections severe enough to require an antibiotic or some other factors could be contributing to the increased risk of developing asthma. So, lots of controversy…

The hygiene hypothesis

The “hygiene hypothesis” originally suggested too little exposure to infections as a child could disrupt development of our immune systems and cause increases in allergic and inflammatory diseases. Researchers now also suggest that overuse of antimicrobial soaps and strict avoidance of exposure to non-infectious bacteria in early life in an effort to avoid contact with disease-causing bacteria may contribute to both a poorer quality microbiome and a malfunctioning immune system. It seems that it’s a matter of balance: too little exposure to microorganisms may create immune problems, and too much exposure may increase risk of infectious disease. The big question is, what is the best level? That hasn’t been determined yet but, for now, experts recommend spending lots of time outdoors in nature where we will be exposed to plenty of healthy natural organisms, especially children with developing immune systems.

We need more research…

More research is needed to determine whether antibiotic is increasing risk of allergic and autoimmune diseases. Fortunately, in the past 10 years there has been increased interested in investigating links with antibiotic use, changes in microbiome and how this could affect us. This research is especially important as there have been substantial increases in asthma, allergies, and autoimmune diseases, such as Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus and inflammatory bowel diseases like Crone’s and Celiac disease in the past generation as antibiotics have become more widely used. We need to learn whether it’s just a coincidence or a cause…

There is no question that we benefit from proper use of antibiotics. They can save lives. But too often they are used when unnecessary or for viral infections like colds and flu when they have no effect. Increasingly, healthcare professionals are recommending probiotics to help our microbiome recover after a needed course of antibiotic treatment, as they become aware of the negative consequences of damage to our gut organisms.

So, if you’re sick with an infection, don’t just go to your doctor and demand an antibiotic. Ask if you truly need this medication, take the lowest level antibiotic that will work if you do need one (ideally one that has been identified by a culture to work on the infection you have), and ask what you can do afterward to repair any damage to your gut microbiome. This could include probiotics and a change in your diet to help stimulate growth of your good organisms.

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Health

Yin and Yang

I’ve seen the symbol for Yin and Yang many times, but never understood what it represented beyond light and dark, male and female, strength and passivity. I was surprised to find a detailed explanation of Yin and Yang in body functions in a scientific article about chronic inflammation.

During the Yin phase, natural cell death, or apoptosis, is promoted. Growth of various tissues is slowed, inflammation is promoted and potential tumor growth would be blocked.

During the Yang phase healing of wounds is promoted, growth is stimulated, and anti-inflammatory mediators are produced, but there is a tendency toward tumorigenesis, or the growth of new tumors.

As with other Yin and Yang interpretations, the need for balance between the two opposing elements is important.

Acute inflammation, the type that occurs in response to injury or acute illness, is considered a “friend” that protects the body against harmful elements. However, chronic or persistent inflammation becomes a “foe” that eventually destroys tissue integrity and function. The immune system uses inflammation to stimulate its protective actions but this function needs to be self-terminating… stimulating acute Yin inflammation when necessary to kill off foreign invaders such as bacteria and reverting to the Yang anti-inflammatory growth and repair phase when the threat is gone.

The ability of our immune system to protect us from disease is affected by the amount of oxidative stress (quantity of damaging free radicals versus protective antioxidants) in our system, immunosenescence (the gradual deterioration of the immune system that occurs with age) and altered function of various hormones (the stress hormone, cortisol, as well as estrogen, progesterone, androgens, insulin, and thyroid).

Here are some simple ways to address each of these factors:

  • Oxidative stress – increase the amount of colored fruits and vegetables to ensure adequate intake of antioxidants.

    • Brightly coloured foods are known to contain these beneficial substances, and including five different colours on your plate is an easy way to increase intake of antioxidants.

  • Immunosenescence – ensure optimal bacterial flora in the digestive system.

    • Substances that control the amount and type of inflammation in the body are largely produced in the gut, and are controlled by the type of bacteria that resides there. Eating more fermented food, such as yogurt and sauerkraut, or taking a probiotic supplement, introduces good bacteria to the digestive system, and is especially important after taking antibiotics.

  • Altered hormone function – reduce stress, and change response to stress.

    • Stress hormones, Including cortisol, are an important anti-inflammatory factor. However, cortisol also increases blood sugar levels. While this function is important for the “fight or flight” response, with chronic stress cortisol tends to cause unhealthy weight gain around the waist. Increased levels of cortisol can also interfere with the function of reproductive hormones that are similar in structure (estrogen, progesterone and androgens) giving the effect of a lack of hormone even if levels are normal.

    • While it maybe difficult to avoid stress, you can change your response to stress. Simply pausing to do a few deep breaths, and thinking positive thoughts can induce a relaxation response, and reduce chronic production of cortisol.

    • Work to keep a positive outlook – look for the good side of every situation!

Even low-level ongoing inflammation has been associated with many chronic diseases, such as heart disease, arthritis, and dementias. Working to keep your Yin and Yang balanced, and your immune system functioning properly, may be the ideal approach to preventing chronic disease.

Reference: Inflammation, Chronic Diseases and Cancer-Cell and Molecular Biology, Immunology and Clinical Bases, Mahin Khatami. Intechweb.org