Posted on 07/20/2013 4:47:40 PM PDT by neverdem
Some people harbor a strain of bacteria that chews through cardiac medication
The next time you pop a pill, know that the microbes in your gut might get to it before you do. Some people harbor a strain of bacteria that inactivates a common cardiac drug, a finding that could explain why people have different reactions to some medications.
“Microbes have long been known to ‘steal’ drugs by converting them into inactive forms,” says Peter Turnbaugh of Harvard University, who led the study. But picking out the specific culprits among the gut’s throngs of bacterial suspects has been a challenge for scientists, he says.
Turnbaugh’s team focused on microbial interactions with the cardiac drug digoxin. Made by the foxglove plant, digoxin has been used for more than 200 years to treat irregular heartbeat. More than 30 years ago, scientists discovered that some patients harbor a common gut bacterium, Eggerthella lenta, that could convert the drug to an inactive form, dihydrodigoxin. But researchers were confounded by the observation that some E. lenta carriers still had the active drug in their blood.
Turnbaugh’s team decided to dig into E. lenta’s genes. The results, reported in the July 19 Science, reveal a small cluster of E. lenta genes responsible for nixing digoxin. The researchers found that not every strain of E. lenta turns on the drug-dampening genes...
(Excerpt) Read more at sciencenews.org ...
Just one more argument in favor of transdermal drug delivery. Several companies out there working on this; Lux Research likes one of these companies very much.
Frost and Sullivan say patients and physicians prefer transdermal as well. Bypasses lots of problems.
Interesting!
If one group of E. lenta in the gut like to snack on the cardiac drug, digoxin, it is possible that, out of all the other bacteria in the gut, some others may like to chew on and neutralize other medications, or convert a drug to a toxic compound. This phenomenon may help explain complications some people have had, while others have had none, with certain medications.
I wear nitro patches and they are terrific. If I could take ALL my meds this way, I would be thrilled.
Other than a couple of bites of yogurt daily what can I eat to replace the good bacteria. I’m on a 3 daily push of antis for sepsis and MRSA. Hip recall/hip revision. Sux.
Did your hip replacement get infected? Yikes! The surgeon who replaced my hip told me that there are two thing I *don't* want to have happen to my hip 1) dislocation 2) infection.He told me I have to take an antibiotic before dental appointments for the rest of my life.
Same advice here. That’s standard for hip or knee replacement.
Mine recalled hip didn’t show voids or necrosis on the MARS mri but after Revision dead tissue and void pockets were apparent. Cultures went wild. 1 week out from surgery. I’m doing the protocol but opted to do it out of hospital. Least I can control the germs here :)
Not according to my dentist.He said that the American Dental Association's guidelines are now 3 years after replacement.I told him of my surgeon's advice and he accepts it but is bemused by it.Oh well
Cultures went wild. 1 week out from surgery.
A week after surgery? Yikes!
I worded that wrong. The cultures were back either the next day or 2 days after surgery. Little foggy then. Today I am 1 week + out from surgery. Guess I’m still foggy :)
try kefir ...
I forgot about that. I remember all the pot heads I knew in Boulder, CO drank that stuff :) Headin out to the health food store!
Good luck. Ask your doc. Get a dietary consult if possible. Read the labels. Lactobacillus species appear to predominate.
Yes, headed that way Tuesday. Just wanted some wise Freeper advice.
Forget about yogurt. Hie thee down to a good "Whole Foods" type store, and get capsules of "active cultures". The more different types of lactibacilli and similar species included the better. Take those with every meal. Repeat as needed.
A long time ago in a state far, far away I had many, many, many sinus infections, and took many, many, many courses of antibiotics. As a result, I developed a hard-core infestation of the GI tract with candida albicans, to the point of imitating the symptoms of colitis. I "finally" found a doctor who actually understood the problem, and several courses of Nystatin and Diflucan over a couple of years got rid of it. But it literally took years to completely eliminate it, along with the intake of active cultures to keep it from recurring.
Oh, and I eventually had a sinus infection bad enough to require surgery....turns out I had a genetically deformed sinus which didn't drain well....that plus the allergies was the root cause of all the infections. I haven't had a sinus infection in years and years.
Holy cow! Glad you kept fighting and everything turned out. Whole Foods is a bit of a drive but I have a similar store called Chamberlains down the street. Tried to go yesterday but hit the sick wall. Uphill battle but I’m gonna win this one! Thanks for the advice WW. Neverdem suggested lactibacilli as well. I shook a persistent fever yesterday. That’s something. This has been some ride! Not as bad as yours though!
Note "Whole Foods" TYPE. As long as they have capsules of active cultures (these require refrigeration...if they ain't in the cooler, they ain't "active"), you're probably good to go.
The doc that understood the yeast thing recommended "NOW" as the best brand for "neutraceuticals". She was an interesting person....got a degree in clinical chemistry and was working in a hospital lab...got familiar with "what docs do" and thought "I can do THAT".
So she went to med school (commuted from Baton Rouge to New Orleans to do so, while married and having kids). Although a "standard MD", she had leanings to the naturopathic side.
"This has been some ride! Not as bad as yours though!
Heh! Remind me to tell you about my "simple hernia repair" some time.
By the time I found out about the yeast as the cause of my problems, it had cost me my job (which I was good at and dearly loved).
But God is mysterious, and I "went partners" with a colleague who had retired from Shell, and actually ended up with a situation that gave me more fun and more scope as a scientist, if not as remunerative.
I’m heading out to the store shortly!
I sometimes wonder where I’ll end up having been sick for the last 5 years. Just when I want to give up I get inspired by folks like yourself who went on their ride, kept the Faith and ended up in a better place.
I’m thinking this is my last hurdle. But I said that last year :). Thanks for the encouragement FRiend!
It is very difficult for humans to change our gut population. A little yogurt won’t do it; often even expensive probiotics don’t.
Definitely read up on the new truths about the creatures who own our bodies and control most things about us (health, emotions, food cravings, etc) here:
http://humanfoodproject.com/americangut/
I think attributed to Churchill....."..never, never, never, never give up." Not an accurate quote, I'm sure. But you get the idea.
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