Antibiotics and obesity

Two new studies suggest that antibiotic use - especially in the under 6 month old set - can cause gut bacteria to rebalance. This potentially sets the stage for obesity. The discovery coincide with a rise in the use of antibiotics, including at a younger age. I've also been doing a lot of reading of emerging science on just how complicated our gut bacteria is. It plays a big and fascinating role in our life. When things go wrong with it, it can have depressing consequences.

But you know, maybe we should ban soda.

Would you go back? Or forward?

During a great speech, Michael Specter at TED asks the question. The answer you give might tell me more about you than you really want me to know.

But in a speech well worth your time, he goes further than that. When I've gotten worked up about issues in the past, I've been asked "why worry about what people want to do. Let them make their choice, even if they are silly." Specter gives a great response.

I won't spoil it, you'll have to watch to see the answer.