Understanding the Hidden Impact of Antibiotics on Long-Term Health: Insights from Dr. Thomas Incledon
On Power Athlete Radio, I had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Thomas Incledon from Causenta Wellness, who shared some eye-opening insights on how certain medical practices -particularly the use of antibiotics around surgical procedures - can have long-term health consequences. Dr. Incledon’s perspective is particularly relevant as we’re starting to understand more about the gut microbiome and how vital it is to overall health. He highlighted a hidden health risk that many people don’t even think about: the unintended effects of antibiotics on the body’s natural defenses and the health issues that can arise years down the line.
Dr. Incledon explained how antibiotics are frequently used around the time of surgery, whether it’s a life-saving procedure or something elective like breast implants. In many cases, a patient receives a dose of antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection at the surgical site. While antibiotics are essential for preventing serious infections, they don’t discriminate; they wipe out the good bacteria along with the bad. When the natural bacteria in our bodies are suppressed, the balance in our microbiome shifts, leaving us more vulnerable to other pathogens like fungi or mold. Dr. Incledon’s point is that this disruption can open the door to health problems that don’t surface until years or even decades later.
One startling example he brought up was the experience of women who undergo breast augmentation. These women may look perfectly healthy on the outside, yet they often suffer from a range of unexplained symptoms, sometimes referred to as “breast implant illness.” Symptoms can include fatigue, joint pain, memory issues, and other mysterious complaints that don’t seem to add up. Many of these women go to doctor after doctor, only to be told that nothing’s wrong or that it’s “all in their head.” But Dr. Incledon has observed that these symptoms can often be traced back to that initial disruption in the microbiome, caused by antibiotics given at the time of their surgery. Without their natural bacteria to maintain a healthy balance, their bodies become more susceptible to fungal or mold-related issues that can linger for years.
What’s especially troubling is that traditional medicine often overlooks this connection. Many doctors simply don’t consider the long-term effects of antibiotics beyond their immediate purpose. So, when patients show up with seemingly unrelated symptoms years after surgery, they’re often dismissed or misdiagnosed. Dr. Incledon pointed out that he’s seen this scenario play out in numerous cases, particularly among women who were models or actresses—people who appear perfectly healthy on the outside but struggle with debilitating symptoms on the inside.
At Causenta Wellness, Dr. Incledon takes a more holistic approach, addressing the full spectrum of potential health issues, including those that conventional medicine might overlook. Instead of just treating the symptoms, he digs deeper to understand the root cause, which often leads back to that disrupted microbiome. His approach includes advanced testing to assess the health of a person’s microbiome and identify any lingering fungal or mold issues. By restoring balance to the gut, he’s been able to help many of these patients finally find relief after years of frustration and misdiagnoses.
Dr. Incledon’s insights are a reminder of how interconnected our bodies truly are, and how crucial it is to consider the long-term effects of even routine medical interventions. Antibiotics can be life-saving, but they aren’t without consequences. It’s essential for patients to be aware of the potential impact on their microbiome and, if possible, take steps to protect or restore it. For anyone who’s had surgery or taken antibiotics and is experiencing lingering health issues, it may be worth exploring the possibility of a disrupted microbiome with a functional medicine specialist.
As Dr. Incledon emphasized, it’s not just about treating what’s visible on the outside; it’s about achieving real health from the inside out. This approach, rooted in addressing the whole person, is what makes Causenta Wellness a game-changer for people who feel overlooked by traditional healthcare.
John Welbourn is Founder/CEO of Power Athlete Inc and former NFL player. John was drafted with the 97th pick in 1999 NFL Draft and went on to be a starter for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1999-2003, appearing in 3 NFC Championship games, and started for the Kansas City Chiefs from 2004-2007. In 2008, he played with the New England Patriots until an injury ended his season early with him retiring in 2009. Over the course of his NFL career, John started over 100 games regular season games with 10 play-off appearances. He was a four-year letterman while playing football at the University of California at Berkeley. He graduated from the college of letters and sciences with a bachelor's degree in Rhetoric in 1998. And did his Masters work at the UC Berkeley School of Education in 1999. Since retiring from the NFL, John has worked extensively with the NFL, NHL, MLB, Olympic athletes, the US Army and Naval Special Warfare. He works as a consultant and advisor for several companies focused on improving human performance through training, nutrition and fitness-based technologies. John provides daily coaching and mentorship to over 5000 athletes around the world through his Power Athlete Coaches Network and training program delivery platform. Since in 2013, John has hosted a weekly podcast, Power Athlete Radio; a podcast dedicated to improving performance and connecting with some of the smartest people on the planet. With more than 700 episodes Power Athlete Radio has proven to be on the top podcasts in the strength and conditioning realm. John travels the world lecturing on performance and nutrition for Power Athlete and as a keynote speaker. John is a married father of three and resides in Austin, Texas. You can catch up with him at his personal blog, “Talk To Me Johnnie”, at Power Athlete or on social media @johnwelbourn.