Modern antibiotics have relieved suffering and saved countless lives since they were developed. Most bacterial infections can be cured with a seven-to-10-day regimen of the drugs, and some antibiotics require even less time. In some cases, however, the antibiotic cure clears the way for opportunistic infections by bacteria that aren't susceptible to the drugs.
Bacteria in Your Body
Your body is home to about a hundred trillion bacteria, many of them in your large intestine. While some of the bacteria that live in your body have the potential to be harmful, a large proportion enjoy a symbiotic relationship with you. You supply them with a desirable environment and they help with many processes needed for life, including strengthening your immune system, making vitamin K and helping with digestion. Other not-so-good bacteria and fungi can reside alongside the beneficial bacteria, but as long the populations of beneficial bacteria are healthy and strong in number, they keep the others from becoming numerous enough to cause illness. Lactobacillus acidophilus is one of the good guys. It and other beneficial bacteria and yeasts are known as probiotics.
Antibiotics and Bacteria
Antibiotics are great for killing bacteria that are making you sick, but many of them use a shotgun approach in that they kill off beneficial bacteria as well. When this happens, fungi, such as candida, and bacteria, such as clostridium difficile, can grow out of control. Most fungi and bacteria that cause problems after you take antibiotics live inside you normally, but good bacteria, such as lactobacillus acidophilus, keep them in check. Depending on which problem bacteria or fungi run wild, you may develop diarrhea, a vaginal yeast infection, thrush or other opportunistic infections.
Lactobacillus Acidophilus
One way to minimize the chances of developing an opportunistic infection when taking antibiotics is to supplement with lactobacillus acidophilus. By sending a probiotic cavalry to help replace good bacteria that are killed by the medication, you help ensure that harmful bacteria and yeast do not become numerous enough to cause problems. Sweet acidophilus milk is milk enriched with lactobacillus acidophilus. It tastes much the same as any milk and is available in supermarket dairy cases. Lactobacillus acidophilus is also present in yogurt, miso and tempeh. Add these products to your diet several times a day while taking antibiotics.
Supplements and Precautions
Probiotics are organisms, not drugs. To do you any good, they must still be alive when you consume them. New York University's Langone Medical Center says evaluations have shown that some off-the-shelf supplements do not contain any live organisms, making them a waste of money. You can usually buy lactobacillus acidophilus from the same pharmacist that fills your antibiotic prescription. Pharmacies often keep their probiotics refrigerated to help keep the organisms alive.
While it's a good idea to give a helping hand to your good bacteria through supplementation or eating probiotic foods, it isn't always enough. If you get a vaginal or oral infection or experience diarrhea while taking antibiotics, contact your doctor.
References
- University of Florida IFAS Extension; Go With Your Gut: Understanding Microbiota and Prebiotics; W. Dahl, et al.; 2009
- MedlinePlus; Lactobacillus; June 2011
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Lactobacillus Acidophilus; S. Ehrlich; June 2009
- New York University Langone Medical Center; Acidophilus and Other Probiotics; May 2011
