Can antibiotics and antacids increase the risk of obesity for obese toddlers?

We can only know that the main cause of obesity is weight gain that is not controlled. In fact, young children may be overweight if they continue a high-calorie diet without balanced with a good exercise routine. But according to research, the side effects of antibiotics and antacids (ulcer drugs) are also believed to contribute to the causes of obesity in addition to children due to unhealthy lifestyles. How can
Antibiotics and antacids, the initial causes of childhood obesity
The above statement was concluded by a collaborative study by the Walter Reed National Military Health Center and Uniformed Health Services University (USU) in the online journal Gut.

The research team had previously observed 300,000 registered babies born from October 2006 to September 2013. The results showed that almost 72.4% of children used antibiotics and 11.8% of antacids before the age of two were more exposed. at risk of obesity later.


Antibiotics are used to treat diseases caused by bacteria, while antacids are drugs used to treat ulcers by controlling acid reflux in the stomach. So why are these two drugs used as scapegoats, even though they are very useful?
Antibiotics and antacids kill good bacteria in the intestines
Cade Nylund, USU's Research Manager and lecturer, found that these two drugs cause obesity in children under five years. Although the treatment goals are different for antibiotics and antacids, the effects on the body seem to be proportional. Both affect changes in the balance of good bacteria in the body.

Antibiotics work to kill and inhibit bacterial growth. However, antibiotic drugs do not recognize which bacteria are good or bad. All types of bacteria will be removed. Meanwhile, antacids act to reduce the level of acidity in the stomach so that it indirectly participates in the destruction of a number of good bacteria that live in the intestine.

"Changes in the balance of good bacteria in the stomach will have an impact on how the body digests and processes nutrients," Nylund said. Good bacteria play a role in stimulating the immune system to fight germs that carry diseases that enter the body.

So, when the intestine does not contain enough colonies of good bacteria, the strength of your body's "fighting power" to fight inflammation due to infection will automatically diminish. Chronic inflammation in the body can increase the risk of obesity in children.
So what should parents do?

The longer and more frequent use of high doses of antibiotics or antacids, the lower the population of good bacteria in the gut. Therefore, to prevent the risk of side effects from inappropriate drug use, ask yourself first whether your child should take medication or not.

Infants and toddlers are the most common age groups, such as colds and colds, because their immune systems are not as strong as adults. However, parents sometimes panic in panic before seeing their children get sick and immediately buy antibiotics at the pharmacy. This is a wrong and useless step, but it is still often done.

Common infections such as flu and colds are diseases caused by viruses. They do not work and can be treated with antibiotics. In addition, antacids are also often given to babies during acid reflux. Although this condition is normal in babies with the development of the digestive system.

If you are still unsure about medicines that are suitable for children, consult your doctor. To increase the amount of good bacteria in the intestine when antibiotics are prescribed to children, you can give them yogurt and other probiotic foods. Children can eat yogurt from one year old. Remember to pay attention to children's eating habits and eating habits every day.

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