Bacteria inside the intestines play a crucial role in digestive health and affect the immune system.<br />Korean researchers have found out how taking antibiotics can damage these vital micro-organisms.<br />Park Se-young has more. <br />The average human has about one kilogram of bacteria in their gut.<br />These 'good bacteria' aid digestion and prevent harmful bacteria from reproducing.<br />But the thousands of types of bacteria exist in a delicate balance, and a dysfunction in any one species of bacteria could cause illnesses. <br /><br />"The imbalance of gut bacteria destroys the intestinal environment and the bacteria can cause atopic dermatitis, drive autoimmune diseases or, even worse, induce mental illnesses."<br /><br />The main cause of bacterial imbalance is antibiotics.<br />Korean researchers found that, upon sensing the presence of antibiotics, gut bacteria created a stress-sensing molecule known as an alarmone.<br />Alarmones adjust the genes within bacteria, slowing their activity and inhibiting their growth, …resulting in genetic variation and mutation.<br /><br />"The problem is that stopping antibiotic treatment and being careful does not quickly recover the damage."<br /><br />The study stresses the importance of the appropriate use of antibiotics, and is expected to aid the development of medicines for conditions linked to gut bacteria.<br />Park Se-young, Arirang News. <br />
