Overuse of antibiotics can be counterproductive by permanently getting rid of the body’s “good bacteria.” At least that’s the argument put forth in a recent article in Nature receiving national attention.

Some researchers are concerned that overuse of antibiotics could be attributing to increased rates of obesity, asthma and cancer by killing off beneficial bacteria. The contention is that too many doctors prescribe antibiotics for children before determining whether an illness is viral or bacterial. Antibiotics don’t help if the problem is viral.

The result has been a diminishing of bacteria in the gut that can help the body by making vitamins and strengthening immunity. There’s no question that antibiotics save lives. But like an old adage says, there can be too much of a good thing.