A strong link between antibiotics and obesity
According to a study carried out by researchers at the NYU Langdone Medical Center, a link has been demonstrated between taking antibiotics very early and the formation of obesity.
Two projects have been carried out by researchers on rodents such as mice, by injecting low doses of penicillin. The first project was carried out only at the end of the gestation of the mice and the second project was carried out throughout their life (from breastfeeding). These projects were able to demonstrate that antibiotics could disrupt the microbiota of the intestinal flora.
Despite the fact that, depending on the projects, the effects on the flora were sometimes different, one consequence is common in mice: the formation of obesity. This obesity occurs following the taking of antibiotics such as penicillin.
Study results
Rodents given antibiotic injections only at the end of gestation had similar weight gain as rodents given these injections during lactation.
The researchers were able to observe that a high-fat diet and taking penicillin early have the same consequence: significant weight gain. Combining the two, ie eating fat and taking antibiotics very early, has even more devastating effects. Indeed, the mice injected with penicillin and who had a diet rich in fat obtained, in the end, a weight three times higher than that of a mouse fed in a balanced way and having taken no antibiotics. These mice then had a quantity of fat in the body which represented up to a third of their body mass.
Causes relating to the intestinal flora
According to the researchers, this weight gain causing obesity in mice would be related to the intestinal flora. This set of micro-organisms located within the digestive tract is indeed closely associated with the digestion process. INSERM has also recently published a short film on the link between this intestinal flora and obesity and in April it was discovered that some peoples had such an intestinal flora that they did not know obesity.
Antibiotics could thus act on this flora and cause reactions on the metabolism. At least on that of mice and when the antibiotics are injected early enough (ie when the mouse is not fully developed and the intestinal flora continues to form).
The researchers also noticed that even if the intestinal flora stabilizes after stopping antibiotics (such as penicillin), certain effects on the metabolism remain permanent . Therefore, if taking antibiotics for these rodents can have harmful effects on their metabolism, the impact on their development remains uncertain.
What are the consequences for humans?
Following the projects carried out by the researchers and the results obtained, the question was obviously asked with regard to humans. It seemed necessary to ask whether taking antibiotics and being overweight or obese could also have a link.
According to the researchers, this conclusion remains hypothetical . New research may soon confirm, or not, this analysis.
Stephen Paul is the lead author and founder of My Health Sponsor. Holder of a diploma in health and well-being coaching with more than 200 articles in the field of health, he makes it a point of honor to offer advice based on reliable information, based on scientific research, and verified by health professionals.