New research has found that the more courses of antibiotics seniors take, the greater their risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD.
These findings may help explain some of the increases in Crohn’s and colitis diagnoses among older adults.
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Researchers believe that environmental factors play more of a role in older adults than genetics regarding IBD. In younger patients, there is generally a strong genetic component to risk. But that is not the case in older, 60+ adults.
The team looked at prescribing records for 2.3 million adults aged 60 and over in Denmark who were newly diagnosed with IBD between 2000 and 2018. They found a close link between antibiotic use and higher rates of IBD, and the risk went up significantly with each course of antibiotics.
Compared with no antibiotic use in the previous five years, one course was associated with a 27 percent higher risk of a new IBD diagnosis. The risk was 55 percent higher after two courses, 67 percent higher with three courses, 96 percent higher with four courses, and 236 percent higher with five or more.
The higher risk was associated with all types of antibiotics except for nitrofurantoin, which is commonly used to treat urinary tract infections. Perhaps unsurprisingly, antibiotics prescribed to treat gastrointestinal issues were most likely associated with a new IBD diagnosis.
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Antibiotics may play a role in gut health and diversity because they essentially carpet bomb the microbiome. They cannot discriminate between good and bad bacteria, and repeated bouts of antibiotic use may decimate healthy populations and lead to digestive troubles.
However, that doesn’t mean that antibiotics should be avoided at all costs. Sometimes they are the only treatment for certain infections. The issue, however, is when they become prescribed too often.
Talk to your doctor about various treatment options before resorting to antibiotics, and use them only when necessary to potentially reduce IBD risk.
About eight years ago, Mat Lecompte had an epiphany. He’d been ignoring his health and suddenly realized he needed to do something about it. Since then, through hard work, determination and plenty of education, he has transformed his life. He’s changed his body composition by learning the ins and outs of nutrition, exercise, and fitness and wants to share his knowledge with you. Starting as a journalist over 10 years ago, Mat has not only honed his belief system and approach with practical experience, but he has also worked closely with nutritionists, dieticians, athletes, and fitness professionals. He embraces natural healing methods and believes that diet, exercise and willpower are the foundation of a healthy, happy, and drug-free existence.
