You won’t find this warning on the label. And your doctor won’t mention it.
Heck, unless he’s keeping careful watch over the latest research, he might not even be AWARE of this newly exposed risk. But if you ever take antibiotics, you NEED to know about this threat.
A new study has revealed that these common drugs can sometimes cause a permanent change inside your body. And this change could trigger a devastating disease YEARS later.
According to researchers, antibiotics could lead directly to Parkinson’s disease.
So today, allow me to give you what far too many docs won’t. And that’s a way to help make sure you ONLY take the drugs when they’re ABSOLUTELY needed.
That way, you may never have to face this terrifying risk yourself.
The antibiotic link to Parkinson’s disease
Scientists have been aware of this alarming trend for years. But they were never quite able to put all the pieces together… until now.
The bacterial mix in the guts of Parkinson’s patients is often very different than the rest of us. But those differences don’t suddenly pop up when the disease hits.
In fact, they often show up MUCH earlier. In some folks, they even appear as much as two decades before the Parkinson’s is diagnosed.
The new study revealed that in some cases, certain drugs could be to blame for both those gut changes AND the development of the disease.
The worst of the lot seems to be powerful broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Or, as I like to call them the “hmmm, it’s worth a try” drugs because docs often prescribe them when they’re not sure what’s going on. So they turn to one drug that attacks many germs to cover their bases.
Consider antibiotic alternatives
Now, in some cases, a broad-spectrum antibiotic might not be the worst idea in the world. Especially if you’re miserable and the doc is stumped.
But too often, doctors turn to the meds as a quick and easy first option instead of a last – or at least later – resort.
And that’s just one way many people end up on antibiotics they may have never needed and potentially increasing their Parkinson’s risk at the same time. Another one is unitary tract infections.
UTIs are frequently treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics. Some docs give the meds for every urinary infection. And even worse, some prescribe them if you DON’T have an infection, but are prone to them, in hopes of preventing an outbreak.
And in most of those cases, the drugs were never needed either.
So here’s what you can do…
1. BEFORE you take the drug: Ask about your options. If it’s a non-serious infection, you may be able to wait and see or try natural therapies first.
For example, for UTIs, cranberry extract (not juice), D-mannose, and probiotics could all help block recurring infections. And they may help you recover faster from a current one as well.
Olive leaf extract can help battle a variety of bacteria and viruses. And Manuka honey is tops when it comes to minor skin infections.
And none of these natural options come with an elevated risk for Parkinson’s disease.
2. AFTER you take the drug: If you end up needing to take an antibiotic, be sure to take probiotics for at least several weeks after (and ideally, keep taking them).
They will help to restore and maintain the balance of good bacteria in your gut you need for overall health. And that could lead to a reduced risk for Parkinson’s.
There’s no question that antibiotics can save lives. But their misuse can ruin lives too. And their potential connection to Parkinson’s disease is just one more reason to treat these miracle drugs with the respect and restraint they deserve.
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