Half the drugs in use damage gut bacteria, says new study ▫️The term ‘gut microbiome’ refers to the whole of the microbial population in the gut, and is considered to be another and very valuable organ in the human organism. - It is made of almost 40 trillion bacteria, viruses and fungi, with the bacteria belonging to a thousand or more species. ▫️The study identified four drug categories that had the largest impact on the microbiome, namely: - Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) - Metformin - Antibiotics - Laxatives ▫️PPIs are commonly used to treat digestive disorders such as flatulence and heartburn. Such conditions affect 11% to 24% of the population in Europe. - These drugs are also useful for peptic ulcer treatment, and to eradicate the implicated bacterium Helicobacter pylori from the stomach lining. - It is also used to treat esophageal metaplasia and gastroesophageal reflux. - PPI users had increased numbers of bacteria in the upper digestive tract because of the reduced acidity, as well as higher levels of fatty acid synthesis within the gut lumen. ▫️Metformin is used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, which is found in 10% of the adult European population. - Metformin causes an increase in the population of a potentially harmful bacterium, Escherichia coli, which can cause different types of infection. ▫️Laxatives are used to relieve tight bowel motions or to prevent constipation, which affects 17% of adults in Europe. ▫️The current study also concluded that another seven drug groups cause marked changes in the gut bacterial populations. - For instance, the type of antidepressant called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRIs) can cause a steep increase in the numbers of Eubacterium ramulus, a potentially harmful bacterial species. @dr.vijay sharma