I´ve been sick for last couple of days, but I insist on not taking antibiotics! Why? Read more below…
The goal of antibiotics is to treat the infections and/or diseases caused by bad bacteria. They can be certainly very helpful, almost like a life-saver in case you have a bacterial infection. However, there are many side effects of using antibiotics, especially increasing the potential of obesity! Now you´re questioning: What? Why? How?
Credits: welovecostarica.com
It is based on pure science!
Well, according to some research studies, one week treatment with antibiotics can alter belly bacteria for up to 4 years. We all know that bad bacteria develop the weight gain in a long term. Almost everyone has taken antibiotics at least once in their life, even if it was used early in childhood it may affect the bad bacteria, thus increase risk of becoming overweight in the future.The researchers found that children who were given antibiotics in their first six months had a higher percentage of obesity later in life. This was proved by 2013 New York University study.
Antibiotics are put not only into our foods!
As you all might know, antibiotic residues can be found in meat, fish/seafood, milk, and even in prepared salads sold in supermarkets! You heard there are many chemicals added into our fruits and vegetables too! It is to kill any bacteria that would actually shorten a product´s shelf life. Producers, therefore, add lots of preservatives in order to make the foods last longer.
But it is not only food where we may find antibiotics. Cosmetics, clothing or furniture may be victims too. For example, antibiotic called Triclosan, which can be found in soaps and toothpaste. There are many other cleaning compounds that contain hidden antibiotics, these are usually very long chemical names and are not that easily recognised on the packaging labels.
How can I avoid this to jeopardise my health?
What we need to do is to always maintain the good level of healthy bacteria in our bodies. Yes, we have bad and good bacteria. To live healthy, we need to have 80% of good gut bacteria and 50% of bad gut bacteria.
Even though we are surrounded by antibiotics on a daily basis, we still can help our bodies to get a healthy balance. This balance of eating proper foods can help us to burn fat instead of storing the fat.
Do you want to find out what types of food you should eat to maintaing good belly/gut bacteria in order to avoid the obesity? Stay tuned, I´ll bring you couple of ideas.
Picture Credits: Tony Alter
