Antibiotics are drugs that inhibit the growth of disease-causing microorganisms. They are prescribed for infections in your skin or internal organs, including parts of the respiratory, urinary and reproductive systems. Diarrhea sometimes develops when you take antibiotics, leading to frequent, watery stools and abdominal cramping. Consuming probiotic foods may be very helpful in combating diarrhea and relieving your symptoms. Consult your doctor or a dietitian to determine if this is advisable for you.
Intestinal Bacteria
Your intestines contain colonies of beneficial bacteria that play an important and natural part of the digestive process. When you take an antibiotic, the drug may kill enough of these bacteria to upset the proper balance normally maintained between healthy bacteria and potentially harmful microorganisms that you ingest with your food. Overgrowth of these unhealthy bacteria in your intestines may cause poor digestion of nutrients and decreased absorption of water, leading to diarrhea.
Probiotics
Probiotic foods contain bacteria that are very similar or even identical to the types that normally live in your digestive tract. Consuming these foods while taking antibiotics may help replenish colonies of healthy bacteria that are depleted by the drug, lessening the severity or duration of diarrhea. Some of the more common microorganisms contained in probiotic foods include members of the Lactobacillis, Bifidoacterium or Saccharomyces genus.
Probiotic Foods
Milk products such as yogurt and cheese that are not pasteurized and contain live Lactobacillus cultures are probiotic foods. Some fermented cabbage or soybean dishes in Asian cuisines are also probiotics because they contain various types of healthy bacteria. These include kimchi, a spicy Korean cabbage dish, and natto, miso and tempeh, which are probiotic foods containing fermented soybeans. When cooking with these foods, do not subject them to high temperature, as this will kill the living cultures.
Supplements
Probiotic supplements are available as freeze-dried granules, capsules or tablets from most health food stores. Since preparations differ, dosage guidelines recommend taking the equivalent of 1 to 2 billion colony-forming units daily. Check product labels to determine how much supplement will provide this amount of bacteria. These supplements are generally considered safe, although they may cause mild symptoms such as gas or an upset stomach. Check with your doctor to determine if probiotic supplements are a good strategy for your situation.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Antibiotic-associated Diarrhea
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: An Introduction to Probiotics
- MayoClinic.com: Probiotics: Important for a Healthy Diet?
- The Conscious Life: Top Probiotics Foods You Are Not Eating
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Lactobacillus Acidophilus
