Antibiotics spur 'dark side' of immune system
09 September 2005

Antibiotics and refined foods that kill beneficial bacteria in the body may have contributed towards the high rates of asthma among UK children, suggested a leading microbiologist this week.

Dr Gary Huffnagle, from the University of Michigan, believes that increased use of antibiotics and diets high in refined food can destroy much of the 'good bacteria' (pictured) in our bodies that enable our immune systems to operate effectively.

Speaking at the British Association for the Advancement of Science conference in Dublin, Dr Huffnagle reported research showing a link between changes to microbes found in the gut and changes to the immune response that have contributed to the rise in asthma.

Bringing out the 'dark side'

'Our 40-year experiment with antibiotics and diets high in refined foods appears to now be proving that if we alter our microflora we alter communication with the immune system,' he asserted.

'In the absence of this communication, the 'dark side' of the immune system takes control, resulting in uncontrolled allergies,' he said.

Dr Huffnagle recommended consuming probiotic yoghurts, drinks and supplements in order to maintain healthy levels of microflora in the gut.

'This is a hotly debated area,' said Dr Lyn Smurthwaite, Research Development Manager at Asthma UK. 'Some studies appear to show that early use of antibiotics in children may increase their risk of allergy, but others have failed to establish this.

'More research is necessary to establish if there is a definitive link between changed gut flora and the development of asthma,' she concluded. '