Antibiotics destroy harmful bacteria that cause illness and infection in your body. Unfortunately, antibiotics also tend to kill off the healthy bacteria that live in your intestines and promote a healthy digestive system. Probiotics, live microorganisms similar to the bacteria in your intestines, help restore balance in your gut. Taking a probiotic dietary supplement during or following a round of antibiotics may reduce certain side effects of antibiotic use. Consult your physician taking any type of dietary supplement.
Healthy Bacteria
Various types of bacteria exist within the body. Most of these bacteria help strengthen your immune system and regulate digestion. More than 400 types of healthy bacteria live and help maintain the natural balance in your digestive tract. These "friendly" bacteria aid the digestive process and prevent the growth of harmful bacteria that cause infection. Illness or infection occurs when harmful bacteria grow and multiply, causing a disruption in the balance of healthy and harmful bacteria. Antibiotics help destroy these harmful bacteria, but they also destroy beneficial bacteria in the process. Probiotics help replace the beneficial bacteria and prevent side effects of antibiotics, such as yeast infection or diarrhea.
Antibiotic Side Effects
Because antibiotics tend to destroy healthy bacteria while fighting infection, your body may experience other health problems. Common side effects of frequent use of antibiotics include digestive problems, such as upset stomach or diarrhea, and yeast infections. The bacteria, or flora, that prevents overgrowth of yeast is often destroyed with harmful bacteria, leaving females more susceptible to a vaginal yeast infection. Children may experience a fungal diaper rash or oral thrush after a round of antibiotics. Probiotic use may minimize or prevent the occurrence of these side effects.
Probiotic Benefits
Taking probiotics while taking a round of antibiotics may limit or prevent some side effects, including diarrhea and yeast infections. A 2008 study published in the "Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology" reports that certain probiotics helped reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea among participants who took probiotics and antibiotics at the same time. Lactobaccilus acidophilus, a probiotic present in cultured foods, may help prevent fungal diaper rash and thrush in infants. Talk to your physician before using probiotics to prevent or treat side effects of antibiotics.
Dosage
Probiotic supplements, available at most pharmacies and health food stores, come in liquid, powder, capsule or tablet form. Follow the directions on the label regarding dosage. Certain cultured foods, including yogurt, kefir and some soy products, naturally contain probiotics, such as L. acidophilus, that help replace beneficial bacteria. For optimal results, wait a few hours after taking your antibiotic before taking probiotics. Talk to your physician about what type of probiotic is best for you.
References
- "Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology"; Probiotics for Prevention of Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea; S.I. Doron; July 2008
- Ask Dr. Sears; Antibiotic Side Effects; William Sears, M.D.
- "The Internet Journal of Nutrition and Wellnes"; Probiotics and Antibiotics: A Brief Overview; S.S. Biradar; February 2009
- MayoClinic.com: Infectious Diseases: Germs; April 2011
