Most U.S. livestock farms administer low doses of antibiotics to ward off infections that might limit their animals’ growth. Japanese scientists report preliminary data online December 22 in the Animal Science Journal that indicate certain natural products — such as licorice and seaweed — enhance the immune systems of pigs. It’s possible, they conclude, that including such products in animal feed could limit the overuse of antibiotics in agriculture, a practice that has been charged with fostering the development of resistant microbes that can later infect people.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Pigging out on licorice
Most U.S. livestock farms administer low doses of antibiotics to ward off infections that might limit their animals’ growth. Japanese scientists report preliminary data online December 22 in the Animal Science Journal that indicate certain natural products — such as licorice and seaweed — enhance the immune systems of pigs. It’s possible, they conclude, that including such products in animal feed could limit the overuse of antibiotics in agriculture, a practice that has been charged with fostering the development of resistant microbes that can later infect people.
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