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Repeated use of some types of antibiotics can raise your risk of Type 2 diabetes, a new study reveals.
Patients are at increased risk as the treatment alters their gut bacteria.
The findings suggest the need to stamp out unnecessary prescriptions.
They found those prescribed at least two courses of antibiotics were at higher risk of being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. The risk grew with the number of antibiotic courses prescribed.
A nurse giving a patient a diabetes test looked at the number of antibiotic prescriptions given out in the UK to over 200,000 diabetics at least one year before they were diagnosed with the disease, and compared this to the number given to 800,000 non-diabetic patients of the same age and sex.
They found those prescribed at least two courses of antibiotics were at higher risk of being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. The risk grew with the number of antibiotic courses prescribed.
Lead author Dr Ben Boursi said: “Gut bacteria have been suggested to influence the mechanisms behind obesity, insulin resistance and diabetes in both animal and human models. Previous studies have shown that antibiotics can alter the digestive ecosystem. “
Senior author Dr Yu-Xiao Yang added: “While our study does not show cause and effect, we think changing levels and diversity of gut bacteria could explain the link between antibiotics and diabetes risk.”
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