Thread by @ck_eternity_

Antibiotics are often given to cows by farmers to promote weight gain, as they rely on gut bacteria to clear carbs before absorption

We know antibiotic use has some association with low microbiome diversity in humans, could this contribute to obesity?

The caveat here is that ruminants rely on bacteria for digestion much more heavily than humans, getting most of their calories from short-chain fatty acids fermented from fiber in their stomachs

However, the link between antibiotic use and obesity does seem to carry over

This study found more than 1 antibiotic treatment in the first year or two of a child's life associated with higher obesity risk
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29359849/

These studies explore potential mechanisms through which this effect may occur
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26459447/

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23159341/

I'm not against antibiotics in principle, but they are certainly over-prescribed in some contexts

This association needs to be explored further, especially to find ways to mitigate risk if antibiotics needs to be deployed for serious or life-threatening infection

Our understanding of viral and bacterial symbiosis within the human body is still in its infancy

Do not underestimate the consequences of poor microbiome health