Canadian scientists from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver found that poor nutrition increases the risk of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, also known as superbugs. The study was published in the scientific journal magazine Nature Microbiology.
The team examined how deficiencies in essential micronutrients such as vitamin A, B12, folic acid, iron and zinc affect the community of bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microbes that live in the digestive tract.
“Micronutrient deficiencies have been an overlooked factor in discussions of global antibiotic resistance. This is an important finding because it suggests that nutrient deficiencies may make the intestinal environment more conducive to the development of drug-resistant pathogens, which appears to be a major global health problem,” said study author Dr. Paula Littlejohn.
Bacteria naturally have genes that can resist external threats as a defense mechanism. The use of antibiotics or the lack of necessary elements strengthens these mechanisms. There is a risk that in the future many powerful drugs will become ineffective and such infections may become life-threatening.
Scientists estimate that approximately 340 million children under the age of five worldwide suffer from complex nutritional deficiencies that not only slow their development but also alter their gut microbiomes. Antibiotics are often prescribed for diseases caused by malnutrition. This means their bodies may provide an environment for the development of new superbugs.
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