Jonathan introduces the episode and explains how his accident led to the opportunity to show the effects of antibiotics on his gut microbes.
Dr. Will and Professor Tim answer quick fire questions about antibiotics and gut health.
Jonathan shares the story of his accident involving smashing his toes and needing a minor operation.
Jonathan had to take antibiotics after an operation and reached out to Dr. Will Bulsiewicz for advice due to his expertise in the microbiome.
Dr. Will was concerned about Jonathan's vulnerability due to his history of irritable bowel syndrome and diarrhea issues.
Dr. Will was not happy about Jonathan taking the antibiotics.
Dr. Will Bulsiewicz explains the risks associated with the antibiotic clindamycin and its impact on gut microbes, particularly the increased risk of C. diff infection.
Prof. Tim Spector highlights the short-term thinking within medicine and the potential long-term consequences of antibiotic use, emphasizing the importance of considering broader impacts.
Dr. Will Bulsiewicz and Prof. Tim Spector discuss the specific probiotic recommendation for mitigating the risks of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and C. diff infection, based on individual history and evidence from randomized controlled trials.
Jonathan shares the significant impact of the antibiotic on his gut microbiome, leading to a drastic drop in his gut health score and the loss of beneficial microbes, prompting the use of fermented foods to restore gut health.
Prof. Tim Spector explains the rationale behind fermented foods, emphasizing their diverse microbial composition and potential benefits for gut health, and provides guidance on selecting live fermented products.
Jonathan shares his experience with consuming live fermented products, highlighting the potency and effectiveness of the recommended kefir and kombucha.
Prof. Tim Spector had visited the Momo factory in London and observed sediment in their products.
Jonathan was initially skeptical of kombuchas but was open to anything that could help him.
Jonathan's primary focus at that time was on his gut health, not on his blood sugar.
Prof. Tim Spector emphasizes the importance of being cautious when buying fermented products, advising to look for live active cultures or live probiotics to ensure it's not pasteurized and has artificial ingredients.
Dr. Will Bulsiewicz explains the significance of eubiosis, a balanced microbiome, and the negative impact of antibiotics, causing dysbiosis by reducing good microbes and creating space for bad ones to flourish.
Jonathan shares his progress after three months, mentioning a slight recovery in his microbiome. Prof. Tim Spector suggests increasing fiber intake and reducing ultra-processed foods to support good microbes and starve bad ones. Dr. Will Bulsiewicz adds the importance of sleep, exercise, and caution with refined carbohydrates and alcohol to maintain a healthy microbiome.
There are people who take longer to recover from the effects of antibiotics, resembling the gut of an ICU patient, and may take up to six months to get back to baseline.
When considering antibiotics, it's important to weigh the benefits versus risks, ask questions to minimize exposure, and consider the appropriateness and duration of antibiotic use.
Overuse of antibiotics can lead to increased allergies, weight gain, and antibiotic resistance, and it's crucial to be thoughtful about their use.
Repeated antibiotic usage, especially in children, can have long-term effects on the gut microbiome, contributing to poor microbiome scores.
Antibiotics are used in agriculture to fatten animals, and residues in meat can lead to antibiotic resistance in the gut.
Fermented foods like kimchi, kombucha, and kefir, along with a high-fiber diet, can support gut health in the long term.
Time-restricted eating, sleep, and exercise can also contribute to gut health.
Antibiotics are effective but have a broad impact, and it's important to recognize their potential side effects.
Prof. Tim Spector and Jonathan discuss the importance of not setting off a nuclear bomb unless necessary.
Jonathan thanks Tim and Will for joining Zoe's Science and Nutrition and promotes Zoe's personalized nutrition program.
Jonathan signs off the podcast, mentioning the production team and inviting listeners to tune in next time.