Researchers at the Rochester General Hospital NY found that antibiotics use in children less than 2 years of age is associated with lower vaccine-induced antibody levels1. For those who understand the importance of the digestive system to general immunity, this observation is likely due to antibiotics’ negative effects on the GI microbiome. Here is another reason antibiotics probably should not be prescribed too easily to infants.
In recent years foods high in cholesterol have been found not to be associated with an increased risk of developing heart disease. However, this “fear” would take years to ease in the general public. What about saturated fats? A 2022 review of available scientific evidence published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology shows that consumption of saturated fatty acids is not significantly associated with cardiovascular risks, events, and mortality2. Wow! If you practice medicine long enough, soon or later you come to realize that many scientific consensus or facts are simply opinions that may evolve or change as times change. It is important to listen to opposing opinions/evidence, keep an open mind, and think critically. This becomes even more important when you throw in patient biochemical individualities.
Martin Kwok, ND, DrTCM
Editor-in-Chief
1Chapman TJ, et al. Antibiotic Use and Vaccine Antibody Levels. Pediatrics. 2022 May 1;149(5):e2021052061. doi: 10.1542/peds.2021-052061.
2Valk R, et al. Saturated fat: villain and bogeyman in the development of cardiovascular disease? Eur J Prev Cardiol. 2022 Dec 21;29(18):2312-2321. doi: 10.1093/eurjpc/zwac194.
