Cambridge researchers identify pesticides, plasticizers, and industrial compounds that inhibit beneficial gut bacteria, prompting calls for regulatory reform.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
A landmark study published in Nature Microbiology has identified 168 human-made chemicals—including pesticides, plasticizers, and flame retardants—that harm beneficial gut bacteria, exposing a previously overlooked threat to human health.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge tested 1,076 chemical contaminants on 22 species of gut bacteria and found that 16% (168 chemicals) inhibited bacterial growth. Many of these chemicals, commonly found in food, water, and consumer products, were not previously known to have antibacterial effects.
A Hidden Threat to Gut Health
The gut microbiome, composed of trillions of microorganisms, plays a critical role in digestion, immunity, and disease prevention. Disruption of this ecosystem, known as dysbiosis, has been linked to inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, diabetes, and mental health disorders.
“The real power of this large-scale study is that we now have the data to predict the effects of new chemicals, with the aim of moving to a future where new chemicals are safe by design,” said Professor Kiran Patil, the study’s senior author.
The team developed a machine-learning model to predict which chemicals—both new and existing—could harm gut microbes. Their findings challenge current chemical safety assessments, which do not consider impacts on the human microbiome.
Link to Antibiotic Resistance
The study also revealed that some gut bacteria, when exposed to these chemicals, developed resistance to antibiotics like ciprofloxacin. This suggests that environmental pollutants could be contributing to the global antibiotic resistance crisis by fostering superbugs in the human gut.
“We’ve found that many chemicals designed to act only on one type of target, say insects or fungi, also affect gut bacteria,” said Dr. Indra Roux, the study’s first author.
Regulatory Gaps and Real-World Risks
While the study was conducted in a laboratory setting, researchers emphasize the need for real-world exposure data to assess actual risks. “Now we’ve started discovering these interactions in a laboratory setting, it’s important to start collecting more real-world chemical exposure data to see if there are similar effects in our bodies,” Patil said.
In the meantime, the team recommends practical steps to reduce exposure, such as thoroughly washing produce and avoiding pesticide use in home gardens.
A Call for “Safe-by-Design” Chemicals
The study underscores the need for a paradigm shift in chemical regulation, advocating for a “safe-by-design” approach that considers microbiome impacts before approval. This research highlights the urgent need to modernize safety assessments to protect both human health and the essential microbial ecosystems within us.
Source: Natural News
Original article
Comments