Rarely do I go to the doctor…ever! Why?
1) They will tell me something I already know (“you’re sick”, “you have an infection” etc.)
2) The one way they treat a sickness is with antibiotics.
Common bacterial infections are:
• Pneumonia
• Sinus infections (lasting more than 10 days)
• Ear infections
• Acute bronchitis
• Strep throat
…and even the common cold or flu.
Yup, I’ve been there, done that. I listened to my typical family practitioner doctor years back and took that Z-Pack they hand out like candy. Many already are aware antibiotics kill the bad AND the good bacteria in the body. That’s the least of your worries. We can replenish out bodies with good bacteria from high quality cultured yogurt and probiotics, but what other damage can antibiotics do other than kill off bacteria?
Your GUT will suffer…for years!
You know how antibiotics can sometimes get things moving down there a little faster than you’d like? That’s because they’re going to town on all kinds of bacteria – good and bad – totally disrupting the order of command in your intestines. While many see relief after stopping the antibiotic therapy, some people NEVER recover, according to a study in the American Journal of Gastroenterology. Researchers found that participants who took more than three antibiotics within a 5-year period were 1.5 times more likely to develop IBS (irritable bowel disease, specifically Ulcerative Colitis and/or Crohn’s disease.
Increased waistline
By now, you’re probably already aware there are antibiotics in your meat (hence the fact that they’re are companies that advertise they’re proteins are “antibiotic free”). But did you ever wonder why farmers give animals antibiotics in the first place? Your first thought may be “so I’m not eating a sick animal.” That’s doesn’t make any sense because there are plenty of hormone and antibiotic free options out there that are healthy. So the question still stands: Why are antibiotics fed to animals?
They’re used to fatten them up! (Scientists still aren’t entirely sure why this works, but it does). And they could be doing the same thing to your body. This study published in the International Journal of Obesity found that antibiotic use in childhood not only influences childhood weight gain, but weight gain years later after the antibiotic treatment. On a related note, antibiotics have been linked to the development of type 2 diabetes (obesity is one risk factor leading to diabetes).
Even your brain may be at risk
Yes, there is a gut-brain connection. Ever heard of it? When antibiotics annihilate the bacteria in your gut – good and bad – they’re affecting your mind, too. According to this study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, just a single course of antibiotics may be associated with a higher risk of depression and anxiety. And the risks can continue to rise with each subsequent antibiotic course. Researchers found that participants were 50% – Yes,you heard me, 50%! – more likely to be diagnosed with depression or anxiety after five separate courses of penicillin.Luckily, I found out I was allergic to penicillin when I was young (I get severe hives all over my body) so ever since then I was ruled out from that antibiotic option. However, penicillin is of course just one of many options doctors have access to providing and the list can go on and on.
Now, as a disclosure, I can not say “refuse all medication and antibiotics” and must advise you to seek your doctor. However, I do want to point out the risks of antibiotics and complications that arise from taking them. And also the importance of eating antibiotic free proteins.
Hey Bethany! I wish I had seen this before taking a round of Z pack for my upper respiratory infection. But since ending the antibiotics I feel terrible! I’ve been bloated and uncomfortable. I have no appetite and I was wondering on what tips you had to help this? Because honestly I’m scared to eat at this point because I feel so uncomfortable!
Im so sorry to hear hun! Many of my health tips posts should help. ox
So informative! Love you girl!!
Love this!!❤️ We should heal naturally👍🏻❤️
I totally know first hand how bad antibiotics are for the body! I had tear duct surgery as a 2-year-old and was put on antibiotics. Then I had strep throat ALL THE TIME as a kid and was on so many antibiotics for that. I had stomach issues all growing up and was in crisis-mode my junior year of college and missed so many classes because I was constantly running to the bathroom! I healed my gut with the help of a naturopathic doctor about 6 years ago, but recently feel like my gut’s not doing so great again. ALSO I’m going to be having surgery for my endometriosis at the end of this month and they will be giving me antibiotics as well as stool softeners for my recovery. Would you recommend not taking those? I’m going to talk to my herbalist/acupuncturist as well, but I’d love your input as well! Thanks so much!
What a fantastic read! I have become very aware of the way antibiotics kill off the good bacteria over the last 1-2 years as I have been struggling with IBS for the past 7 or so, but wasn’t aware that it could be what has led to my IBS today. It would certainly make sense as I had many rounds of antibiotics as a kid/teenager! I know you always talk about giving the body good pre & probiotics, but do feel like you can reverse the damage antibiotics have done to your body? (Loaded question, I know!)
Thank you for all of your insight– you have truly helped me learn so much about IBS and gut health over the last few years I’ve been following you, and am forever grateful for it!!
Hi Bethany. I’ve been in the hospital for 7 days and home yesterday with sever acute colitis, I am on heavy dosages of 2 antibiotics for the 7 days already plus 10 more days from now. I typically refuse antibiotics from docs; the last time I was on them was 2012. I, in severe severe pain and I’m very worried about the effects of the antibiotics on top of my colitis and chrons. I also don’t want to get worse. The first time in my life I’m questioning myself instead of the docs orders. I’m scared to not take them but fearful of the consequences. I don’t really know if I have a question I just wanted to tell so,done my fears that would understand. Thank you for your blog and ideas and personal stories. I feel very alone right now and your instagram and blog are really helpful.
Hi Mandy,
Totally understand, you’re not alone! The best thing you can do right now is try not to stress about it. Stress can make things even worse. This post was not to make people fear antibiotics but just to inform people so they can make the right choice. I wold suggest completing your round then focus (and have fun!) in the process of repairing your gut. Getting creative in the kitchen with my recipes is a fun task and enjoying the process.
Thanks Bethany! I promise your post did not scare me. Reading your post made me feel not as alone as someone else thinks the same way I do and has the same knowledge as I do for antibiotics. It was just a very interesting coincidence that you posted this the day I got home. I shared my concerns about anti-biopics with docs, because all of my labs cane back negative for any kind of infection yet they still have me On them and want me to continue for 10 more days. I know I need to listen to the doctor who is caring for me currently. I’m very excited to try some of your recipes and tricks for gut healing along with my own.
Thank you for responding! And I look forward to continue reading your blog and finding new ways to help heal from the inside out!
Good info Bethany. I am allergic to penicillin as well and found years ago that oregano oil (applied topically when diluted or in pure capsule form) fixes almost anything they would throw antibiotics at!
Thansk for reading Ashley! And I love using oreganol (the brand). Glad it’s been helping you!