Penicillin is an antibiotic often prescribed for treatment of infections. It is usually effective against strep throat, bacterial sinus infections and certain ear or skin infections. Although a very good medication, penicillin may destroy some of the normal, healthy bacteria that live in the intestines, potentially causing diarrhea. If you are taking penicillin, consuming probiotic foods that contain healthy bacteria may lessen the likelihood you will experience diarrhea. Consult your doctor to determine if adding probiotics is a good strategy for you.
Intestinal Bacteria and Diarrhea
The human intestinal tract contains millions of healthy bacteria. These bacteria perform many important functions such as breaking down indigestible parts of food and preventing growth of harmful, pathogenic bacteria present in the food we eat. When you take penicillin for more than a few days, the antibiotic may destroy many of these good bacteria. The result may be overgrowth of harmful bacteria, an upset in the functional balance in the digestive tract and an onset of diarrhea.
Probiotics
Probiotics are bacteria that are similar or identical to the good bacteria that normally live in the digestive tract. Consuming these microorganisms may benefit the digestive system, especially when the normal populations of intestinal bacteria have been depleted, for example, by a course of penicillin. Consuming foods or supplements containing probiotic bacteria may be a very helpful strategy to lessen the symptoms of diarrhea and restore the normal balance in the intestines.
Probiotic Foods and Supplements
Any food fermented by the action of healthy bacteria is a probiotic food. To obtain the benefit of these bacteria, the foods should not be pasteurized or homogenized, and they should not be cooked at high temperature. Good examples of probiotic foods include Asian dishes containing fermented soybeans such as natto, miso and tempeh. Fermented cabbage dishes, such as sauerkraut and Korean kimchi, are also probiotic foods. In addition, yogurt or cheese containing live cultures are probiotics. Probiotic supplements are also available from health food stores in powdered form or in capsules.
Recommendations and Precautions
Probiotics are generally considered safe and free of any serious risks. However, they may cause gas or bloating in some people. Add probiotic foods to your diet gradually and in small quantities. If you take probiotic supplements, start with a low dose every other day, increasing the frequency and amount if there are no gastric side effects.
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