Image Credit: Tech Explorist
Many times, we are prescribed medicine from doctors that just don’t seem to get the job done.
We, along with the doctors, are befuddled as to how this is possible. But, research has recently shown that the bacteria that is found in our guts can affect how medicine works in our system.
Doctors are now aware of the type of bacteria that lives inside of their patient’s gut. Gut microbes can alter the drugs that people swallow. This is turning into a larger problem that more physicians need to take notice of. But, with this new knowledge, it can start to work to our advantage.
The genes that exist inside of those microbes can help to predict how well drugs will work for a patient. Knowing this information can now give physicians the knowledge to determine the best course of treatment for their patients.
During their study, researchers chose 76 types of bacteria found in people’s guts. Once tested, they saw that they changed the molecular structure of 271 drugs. The scientists placed the bacteria in test tubes along with nutrients and drug solutions. After 12 hours, two out of every three drugs had been changed by at least one strain of bacteria.
It has been suggested that physicians test a patient’s feces before prescribing any medication to them. The stool sample might be able to tell them whether or not a patient’s gut microbe would alter the drug being prescribed. Antibiotics or a fecal transfer might be a way to change a person’s gut microbes to help them heal faster with their proper medicine.
It is certainly an interesting way to look at what is happening inside of our gut. It is also fascinating to know that the drugs we are taking may not be working properly because of these gut microbes.
