Viewed from a purely semantic perspective, antibiotics and probiotics would appear to be at cross-purposes with each other. In truth, these two substances are both used to cure illness and support health. Antibiotics are drugs that kill harmful bacteria. Probiotics are helpful bacteria and at least one species of yeast that support human health when consumed live. Antibiotics and probiotics interact in a number of health-related circumstances.
Antibiotics Function
Antibiotics help fight infection by killing harmful bacteria. They can do this by destroying the bacteria's cell wall, a structure that isn't present in human cells. Unfortunately viruses don't have cell walls either, and that's why antibiotics are not effective against them. Antibiotics can also kill bacteria by depriving them of the nutrients they need in order to divide and reproduce.
Probiotics Function
Not all microorganisms are harmful pathogens. Your body is home to a hundred thousand billion bacteria that are either harmless or beneficial to your health, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Your digestive tract, for example, is lined with helpful bacteria that protect your intestines from being overrun by harmful pathogens. Probiotics are beneficial microbes that are found in some foods and nutritional supplements. Probiotic consumption has been shown to be effective in addressing numerous digestive disorders including lactose intolerance, diarrhea and ulcerative colitis.
Normal Flora
The helpful bacteria that reside in your gastrointestinal tract are referred to as your normal flora. Antibiotics cannot distinguish between normal bacterial flora and the harmful bacteria that antibiotics are designed to kill. As a result, taking antibiotics can decimate your normal flora and leave you vulnerable to infection. Taking probiotics can help restore your normal flora and aid in the prevention of antibiotic-related side effects.
Considerations
In a number of instances, antibiotics and probiotics are used together. The most thoroughly studied of these is the use of probiotics to prevent and treat antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Another area is the use of probiotics as an adjunct to antibiotics in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection, the bacteria that causes gastric ulcers. In both instances, probiotics have demonstrated effectiveness, according to USProbiotics.org. It is important to note that probiotic therapies are strain-specific, meaning that different types of probiotic bacteria are only effective for certain diseases. Consult your doctor if you are considering taking probiotics.
References
- HealthyChildren.org; How Do Antibiotics Work?; Margaret C. Fisher; August 2010
- "The Journal of Nutrition"; Helicobacter Pylori and Probiotics; Drahoslava Lesbros Pantoflickova, et al.; March 2007
- "American Journal of Gastroenterology'; Meta-Analysis of Probiotics for the Prevention of Antibiotic Associated Diarrhea and the Treatment of Clostridium Difficile Disease; LV McFarland; April 2006
- USProbiotics.org: Probiotic Basics
