9. Medications & Antibiotics: Unforeseen Gateways to Celiac?
Modern medicine, with its array of drugs and treatments, has undoubtedly transformed lives. However, there’s a flip side to this coin. Some medications, particularly long-term antibiotic use, might play a role in celiac disease development. Here’s a closer look at this intriguing connection.
Antibiotics, while combatting harmful bacteria, can also diminish beneficial gut flora. This alteration, over time, might make the gut more susceptible to disorders, including celiac. A gut stripped of its protective microbes becomes vulnerable, perhaps reacting more aggressively to substances like gluten.
Beyond antibiotics, certain medications might induce or exacerbate gluten sensitivities. For instance, drugs affecting gut motility or those altering immune responses might indirectly heighten celiac risks. It’s a ripple effect, with one alteration leading to another.(9)
