GET THE LOWDOWN ON ANTIBIOTICS

A miracle cure or a pain in the gut? Our expert explains what you need to know about antibiotics

At some point, most of us will have gone to the GP with a persistent cold or flu in the hope of being prescribed antibiotics, and ended up walking away empty- handed (and a little frustrated).

GP Dr Alka Patel says this is common, but explains many people don’t know that antibiotics can have a hugely detrimental effect on the body, including gut health and mental wellbeing, and should only be taken if necessary.

“When you’re not feeling well it’s understandable that you want something to help you feel better,” she explains. “I’ve had many conversations where I’ve had to explain that taking antibiotics when they’re not needed just won’t help and can do more harm than good.”

But despite resistance to prescribe them when not required, more than 1.5 million doses of antibiotics are dished out daily in the UK. In fact, prescriptions in the UK – which can now be given out by pharmacists for conditions such as urinary tract infections and skin conditions – rose by 8.4% in 2022 compared with 2021.

While they have a beneficial effect against bacterial infections such as ear and sinus infections, antibiotics can cause significant disruption to your gut microbiome, the ecosystem of bacteria and microorganisms that colonise your gut. This can lead to problems such as metabolic and immune system issues, inflammatory conditions, depression and anxiety. Dr Patel says, “Disruption can take months or even years to recover from, and in some cases, certain beneficial strains may be lost long term.”

Here, Dr Patel, also a longevity and lifestyle doctor, gives us the lowdown and tips for tackling negative side effects…

'Antibiotics ruined my gut health'