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Drugs Reshape Gut Buffet, Fueling Cancer Risk
19 Nov
Summary
- Over 140 medications alter gut microbes by controlling nutrient competition.
- Drug-resistant bacteria thrive on nutrients from killed-off beneficial species.
- This process creates inflammation that can lead to colorectal cancer.
A groundbreaking study by Stanford University researchers has identified over 140 medications that drastically alter the gut microbiome. These drugs create a competitive environment where bacteria vie for nutrients, often leading to an intestinal imbalance and inflammation that can promote cancer. Common medications, including antibiotics, chemotherapy agents, antifungals, and antipsychotics, were found to kill off weaker bacterial populations.
This disruption leaves essential nutrients in the gut, allowing more dangerous, drug-resistant strains to multiply. The surviving microbes can reshape the body's healthy microbiome into a pro-inflammatory state, significantly raising the risk of colorectal cancer. This finding offers a new perspective on drug side effects beyond direct toxicity.
The research provides a critical tool for predicting a drug's impact on gut bacteria, paving the way for strategies to protect or restore a healthy microbiome. Scientists aim to use this knowledge to select drugs, diets, and probiotics that not only treat disease but also preserve or promote a healthy gut environment.
