Podcast Summary: The Dr. Josh Axe Show – "This Is What Happens to Your Body After Antibiotics"

Release Date: July 28, 2025

In this comprehensive episode of The Dr. Josh Axe Show, host Dr. Josh Axe explores the profound and often underestimated effects of antibiotics on the human body. He sheds light on the pervasive presence of antibiotics in everyday environments, their detrimental impact on gut health and overall well-being, and offers actionable strategies for healing and prevention.

Introduction: The Dual Nature of Antibiotics

Dr. Axe begins by acknowledging the lifesaving role of antibiotics since their discovery in the 1920s. However, he quickly emphasizes that their use is a double-edged sword, capable of causing significant harm to vital bodily systems.

“Antibiotics have saved lives in numerous cases, but they can also wreak havoc on your gut, your mitochondria and your immune system.” [00:15]

Hidden Sources of Antibiotics

Contrary to common belief, antibiotics aren't confined to prescription medications. Dr. Axe highlights their pervasive presence in various facets of daily life:

• Food Supply: Antibiotics are extensively used in livestock, leading to residues in dairy, meat, and produce.
• Household Products: Found in hand sanitizers, soaps, and other cleaning agents.
• Environmental Exposure: Increased usage during events like the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated antibiotic presence in the environment.

“They’re found in your food supply, like your dairy, your meat, your produce. They’re found in hand sanitizers and soap. They’re found all over the place.” [00:28]

Impact on Gut Microbiome and Beyond

Dr. Axe delves deep into how antibiotics disrupt the delicate balance of the gut microbiome, which is essential for various bodily functions:

• Gut Dysbiosis: Antibiotics indiscriminately kill both harmful and beneficial bacteria, leading to a weakened immune system and impaired digestion.
• Chronic Inflammation and Diseases: Links to conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), autism, and even cancer.
• Gut-Brain Connection: With 95% of serotonin produced in the gut, disruptions here can lead to mood disorders and cognitive issues.

“There’s a deep gut brain connection.” [04:20]

Supporting Research and Statistics

Multiple studies underscore the long-term dangers of antibiotic use:

• Gut Microbiota Disruption: A 2024 study published in the Journal of Medicine and Microecology found that even a single course of antibiotics can disrupt gut microbiota for up to six months, with some beneficial species potentially never returning. [05:00]

• Increased Cancer Risk: Research from Johns Hopkins University indicates that a 30-day course of antibiotics can increase colon cancer risk by 15%. [06:15]

• Childhood Health Risks: Children exposed to antibiotics before age two face a 50% higher risk of developing asthma and eczema, and a tripled risk of food allergies by age six. [13:50]

“When you take an antibiotic, your risk of having another infection in the future goes up.” [12:00]

Personal Experiences and Success Stories

Dr. Axe shares his personal battle with a severe spinal cord infection, which required prolonged antibiotic use. Despite concerns about the repercussions, he successfully navigated the recovery process using targeted strategies.

He also references inspiring stories:

• Elaine Gottschall: Her daughter overcame ulcerative colitis through the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, avoiding repeated antibiotic courses.
• Dr. Terry Wahls: Reversed her Multiple Sclerosis (MS) symptoms by focusing on gut health and mitochondrial support, attributing her recovery to addressing antibiotic-induced gut dysbiosis.

“Most of us have a very similar advice. One, only use antibiotics in life-threatening emergencies or only if you have a good protocol to help your body recover and heal quickly.” [25:00]

Current Medical Practices and Overuse of Antibiotics

Dr. Axe criticizes the medical community for the rampant over-prescription of antibiotics, especially for non-life-threatening conditions such as:

• Ear Infections
• Common Colds
• Flus

He cites alarming statistics:

• Children Under Two: Nearly 70% are exposed to antibiotics, with 20-30% of prescriptions deemed inappropriate or unnecessary, a figure he believes is closer to 70-80%. [09:47]

• C. Diff Infections: A CDC study found that 70% of children with C. difficile infections had received numerous antibiotic courses beforehand. [10:43]

“Antibiotic use in children is associated with higher risk of allergies, dermatitis, celiac disease, being overweight, obesity and ADHD.” [12:30]

Healing and Recovery Protocols Post-Antibiotics

To mitigate the adverse effects of antibiotics, Dr. Axe outlines a multi-faceted recovery strategy:

1. High-Dose Probiotics:

   • During Antibiotics: Take around 400 billion CFUs daily.
   • Post-Antibiotics: Continue with high-dose probiotics (up to 1 trillion CFUs) for three months, then maintain with lower doses for up to two years.

   “Probiotics reduce antibiotic associated diarrhea and side effects by 58%.” [27:57]

2. Prebiotic-Rich Diet:

   • Foods: Apples, pumpkin, Jerusalem artichokes, chicory root, blueberries.
   • Supplements: Fiber supplements like psyllium or apple pectin.

3. Mitochondrial Support:

   • Supplements: Methylated B vitamins, magnesium, glutathione, Omega-3s, CoQ10.
   • Protective Agents: Liposomal glutathione or N-acetylcysteine to replenish depleted antioxidants.

4. Fecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT):

   • Method: Oral capsules containing healthy fecal matter to restore gut diversity.
   • Effectiveness: 82% cure rate in studies, particularly effective for C. difficile infections.

5. Lifestyle Changes:

   • Gardening and Outdoor Activities: Enhances exposure to beneficial microbes.
   • Dietary Adjustments: Emphasis on bone broth, fermented foods, and anti-inflammatory plants like ginger and turmeric.

“If you have to get on antibiotics, follow that supplement plan. It’s going to be very, very helpful.” [32:27]

Detailed Post-Antibiotic Diet Plan

Dr. Axe provides a precise dietary regimen to support gut healing:

• Breakfast: Smoothies with pumpkin, apples, triphala (a prebiotic), bone broth protein, and added fiber.

  “I paired my probiotic supplement along with this prebiotic rich superfood for breakfast.” [29:10]

• Lunch and Dinner: Hearty soups (e.g., chicken vegetable soup), grass-fed proteins, steamed or sautéed vegetables, and fermented foods like sauerkraut and kefir.

• Supplements: L-glutamine powder (5 grams once to twice daily) to repair the gut lining.

• Foods to Avoid:

  • Sugar: Feeds harmful bacteria and yeast.
  • Conventional Grains and Gluten: Can exacerbate inflammation.
  • Seed Oils and Processed Foods: Promote gut irritation.
  • Alcohol: Harsh on both the gut and mitochondria.

Final Advice and Conclusion

Dr. Axe concludes by reinforcing the critical importance of gut health in overall well-being. He urges listeners to:

• Minimize Antibiotic Use: Only when absolutely necessary and under life-threatening conditions.

• Adopt Preventative Measures: Through diet, probiotics, and lifestyle changes to maintain a robust gut microbiome.

• Empower Through Knowledge: Understanding the hidden impacts of antibiotics empowers individuals to make informed health decisions.

“As Hippocrates said over 2,000 years ago, all disease begins in the gut.” [34:59]

Dr. Axe emphasizes that with the right protocols, one can not only recover from antibiotic-induced harm but also prevent future health issues by prioritizing gut health and reducing unnecessary antibiotic exposure.

Key Takeaways:

• Antibiotics Are Ubiquitous: Beyond prescriptions, they are present in food, household products, and the environment.

• Significant Health Risks: Includes gut dysbiosis, increased risk of chronic diseases, and impaired immune function.

• Effective Recovery Protocols: High-dose probiotics, prebiotic-rich diets, mitochondrial support, and FMT are essential for healing.

• Preventative Strategies: Maintaining a healthy gut through diet and lifestyle can mitigate the negative impacts of unavoidable antibiotic use.

Listeners are encouraged to implement these strategies to safeguard their health against the hidden dangers of antibiotics and to foster a resilient, well-functioning gut microbiome.