Probiotics are "friendly" bacteria that can aid in digestion and help keep your immune system healthy. When you take antibiotics, all the bacteria in your system is affected. Taking probiotics will replenish the good microorganisms, which are essential to stop other opportunistic bacteria -- such as the yeast-like Candida bacteria -- from quickly repopulating and causing problems such as a yeast infection. You can take probiotics, either in foods or as supplements, simultaneously with antibiotics.
Probiotics
There are hundreds of different strains of probiotics living in your body. According to Harvard Medical School, there are 100 trillion microorganisms living in your digestive system at any time. Also called "gut flora," probiotics can treat gastrointestinal problems, allergies, vaginal and urinary tract infections, reduce the length and severity of colds and simply improve general health. Not all probiotics will help with all health issues. It's important to learn which strains will help with your individual needs.
Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea
The most common complaint associated with antibiotic use is diarrhea. S. cerevisiae boulardii, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, and Bacillus coagulans GBI-30 are three specific strains of probiotics that will help protect you against diarrhea caused by antibiotic use. A 2002 meta-analysis published in the "British Medical Journal" looked at using the data from nine different studies of probiotic and antibiotic use and concluded that people taking probiotics while using antibiotics suffered from diarrhea 50 percent less often than those who didn't take probiotics.
Yeast
Lactobacillus is an entire category of bacteria that includes several specific strains -- such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG which can help with diarrhea. Together, Lactobacillus can help treat bacterial vaginosis and may be effective for treating vaginal yeast infections caused by taking antibiotics, according to the National Institutes of Health. Using vaginal suppositories that contain 1 billion live microorganisms twice daily for one week seems to improve symptoms, especially when combined with more conventional anti-fungal treatment. Two specific strains -- Lactobacillus gasseri and Lactobacillus rhamnosus -- can lengthen the time between vaginal yeast infections.
Probiotic Sources
Probiotics are found in cultured dairy products such as yogurt and kefir and fermented vegetables, such as sauerkraut, kimchi and some pickles. Look for foods that haven't been pasteurized; the heating process kills all microorganisms, whether bad or good. Look for labels that say "live bacteria" or "active cultures." Some yogurts will list the types and amounts of probiotics they contain. You can also take probiotic supplements, which will allow you to choose the specific strains you need. Always check with your doctor before adding any type of supplements to your diet.
References
- The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: An Introduction to Probiotics
- Harvard Medical School; Health Benefits of Taking Probiotics; September 2005
- Mayo Clinic; Probiotics: Important for a Healthy Diet?; Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.; April 2010
- MedlinePlus; Lactobacillus; June 2011
- CNN Health; Best Cure for Stomach Troubles - Which Probiotics Work and Why; Jessica Snyder Sachs; March 2009
- "British Medical Journal"; Probiotics in Prevention of Antibiotic Associated Diarrhoea: Meta-Analysis; AL D'Souza, et al.; June 2002
