Antibiotics & Microbiome: Separating Athletes from Couch Potatoes
with Guests Dr. Theodore Garland, PhD, - Dr. Monica McNamara, PhD
New research demonstrates that by killing essential gut bacteria, antibiotics ravage athletes’ motivation and endurance. The UC Riverside-led mouse study suggests the microbiome is a big factor separating athletes from couch potatoes. “We believed an animal’s collection of gut bacteria, its microbiome, would affect digestive processes and muscle function, as well as motivation for various behaviors, including exercise,”
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Show Notes:
Antibiotics & Microbiome: Separating Athletes from Couch Potatoes
[00:04:28] Dr Theodore explains why they did the study on the effects of antibiotics on athleticism.
[00:06:32] Dr Monica joins in on the explanation.
[00:08:00] Dr Monica expounds on how it is possible that microbes and chemical reactions in the gut can change our attitude towards expending energy.
[00:10:45] A discussion ensues on the western diet and the affects it had on the microbiome of mice in the study.
[00:12:19] What microbes should we be looking to see and what microbes should we want to get rid of – is the topic of the next discussion.
[00:15:00] Dr Theodore answers question on the selective use of various antibiotics for longevity and fast twitch muscle repletion.
[00:18:00] Follow the riveting talk on the propensity of transgenerational microbiome seeding as well as genes and epigenetics.
[00:25:00] The microbes specifically that were associated with athleticism – amongst others:
- Butyrate producing bacteria.
[00:34:13] Does the chemicals or the lack thereof affect mitochondrial output and efficiency? Dr Monica addresses the question.
[00:36:26] The discussion turns to our bodies’ ability to produce substances that have antibacterial and antimicrobial actions and how it could affect the microbiome.
[00:39:16] This leads further to a dialogue on the possibility of the sun playing a role in the diversity of the microbes in the gut.
[00:42:39] There were no recovery (in the short amount of time available for the study) in any of the mice after the antibiotic treatment was discontinued, a conversation on this interesting finding follows.
[00:44:40] Carl talks about his childhood – tune in ?
[00:47:06] Dr Theodore imparts his view on Carl’s belief that there has to be a way to “retrain” or “reseed” microbes to help people get lean and entice them to exercise.
[00:48:50] Exercise is medicine! - Dr Theodore explains and Dr Monica joins in.
[00:54:52] Dr Monica speaks on a link between these microbes and certain hormones that make you want to get up and move. Carl then continues with talking about
a study that showed it is not estrogen that increases bone mineralization in women, but estrogen’s ability to raise oxytocin and it is oxytocin that keeps you from developing osteoporosis and osteopenia.
[00:59:27] Dr Theodore shares his view on the subject.
[01:00:16] A remarkably interesting chat on probiotics and fecal transplants follows.
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