According to a new study published by the University of California - Riverside, the antibiotics that fended off your infection could be the reason you feel sluggish and unmotivated after getting sick.
Research in the past has shown antibiotics are effective in bacterial infections. While they come with side effects like nausea, loss of appetite and vomiting, they’re highly effective in fighting off infections.
However, as the URC research suggests, antibiotics are indiscriminate towards all bacteria, and they often destroy essential gut bacteria that protect our immune system. The study found that the impact on healthy gut bacteria from antibiotic use can cause individuals to lose motivation to exercise.
Though mice used in the research did not experience the typical side effects of antibiotics, the study found that gut bacteria was cut by half after a ten-day antibiotic treatment. There was also strong evidence pointing to a dent in muscle function due to microbiome disturbance.
Perhaps the most interesting finding from the report suggests that killing gut bacteria from antibiotic use doesn’t impact all individuals in the same way. A loss in motivation was recorded only among mice bred for voluntary exercise, while the same medication did not affect regular mice.
The research also found a correlation to lowered performance “Antibiotic treatment caused a significant reduction in daily wheel-running distance in the High Runner mice (−21%).”
These high-performing mice did not recover in either motivation or performance for 12 days after their antibiotic cycle.
The findings suggest gut health plays a more significant role in athletic performance than previously understood. It also provides insight into an unhealthy diet, which can impact gut health, and a lack of exercise often goes hand in hand.
While the study does not offer insight into how those on antibiotics can combat this attack on their microbiomes, several studies have identified foods that promote healthy gut bacteria.
A Stanford University study found a diet rich in fermented foods such as kimchi, sauerkraut, yoghurts and kombucha led to an ‘increase in overall microbial diversity.’ These foods boost the overall health of the immune system.