Taking Probiotics With Antibiotics
Many people experience nausea, diarrhoea, tummy upsets, bloating, and even vomiting when taking antibiotics. Some doctors recommend taking a probiotic supplement at the same time to help with these digestive side effects.
Even after taking antibiotics, you can boost your own beneficial bacteria with probiotic foods and supplements. They contain microbes that maintain your gut environment and help regulate your microbiome, keeping opportunistic pathogens at bay and beneficial ones thriving.
Choose A Quality Probiotic Formula
Quality assurance practices do matter. Probiotic manufacturing is not highly regulated and some label claims do not stand up to scrutiny. Consider the results of these investigations into probiotic quality:
- One study assessed 26 commercial probiotics and found that none fully supported label claims. Some probiotic supplements contained unacceptable microorganisms .
- The same study found two common problems in probiotic supplements: low concentration of viable cells and the presence of undesired organisms .
- Another study found only half of the probiotics examined had the specific strain listed on the label .
- 43% of the probiotics in another study contained less than half the amount of probiotics listed on their labels .
If a company follows quality assurance practices, a probiotic supplement will meet its label claims and not contain potentially harmful organisms.
Antibiotic Risks For Your Microbiome
Thats because your gut microbiome is critical for your health. It’s involved in immune system function, body weight, and even brain health. However, antibiotics can lower the diversity of microbes present in your gut, causing imbalances that increase the risk of inflammation and lower your protection from diseases.
The use of antibiotics during pregnancy, in newborns and infants, is especially problematic because the gut microbiome develops in early life and, during that period, it educates the immune system.
Infants who are exposed to antibiotics either before or after birth have been shown to have fewer health-promoting microbes like Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus that are dominant members of the infant microbiome.
Research shows that antibiotic disruption of the gut microbiome at a young age is linked with an increased risk of allergies, asthma, and autoimmune disorders. Antibiotics and weight gain are also a major issue: this medication has been pinpointed as an important factor in the obesity epidemic.
For example, Clostridium difficile is a deadly bacterial infection affecting the colon that is common in healthcare settings, and it’s resistant to most antibiotics. Nowadays, doctors have found that transplanting a healthy microbiome into patients is most effective when treating for C. diff.
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On An Empty With Food Or After Meals
This question has generated conflicting responses among health professionals. Division is based on the labels on products and recommendation provided by literature.
Taking Probiotics on empty Stomach
Those who recommend that probiotics be taken on an empty stomach argue that acid production is stimulated during the cephalic phase of digestion that would lead to loss of probiotic bacteria. They add that taking the probiotics with water dilutes the acid and preserves the bacteria. However conflicting with this is the fact that during the fasting phase gastric pH is usually very low to the units of 0.8 2. This is a really corrosive environment for the existence of the bacteria.
Taking Probiotics with Food
Those who advocate for consumption of probiotics with food argue that food provided a protective buffered environment against stomach acid. This basis is supported by destruction of probiotics even the freeze-dried ones in pH of 1.5. It therefore provides that probiotics be consumed with meals.
Taking Probiotics after Meals
Studies have led to the identification of strains that can survive the harsh acidic condition of the stomach. Such strains include the Lactobacillus acidophilus Rosell-5. It has been well studied and findings are that acid and bile salts are not a match. They should therefore reach the intestines.
Do Antibiotics Kill Probiotics
Only a few probiotic strains have been found to survive when taken concurrently with antibiotics. Because all antibiotics have some sort of detrimental effect on the gut microbiome, its critical to choose the optimum probiotic strains when taking this type of medication.
You want strains that have been studied not only for their ability to survive when taken alongside antibiotics but also for their ability to provide benefits.
The comprehensive analysis behind the three Lactobacillus strains listed above distinguishes them from many other probiotic supplements on the market today, making them a good alternative for anyone who wants to take natural bacteria while on antibiotics. Lactobacillus acidophilus Rosell-52, Lactobacillus rhamnosus Rosell-11, and Bifidobacterium lactis Lafti B94 have also been examined and found to tolerate stomach acidity and bile salts in vitro.
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What Are The Benefits Of Taking A Probiotic While On Antibiotics
Aside from helping to maintain a balance and diversity of healthy bacteria in the guttaking a probiotic supplement while on antibiotics also helps to reduce potential side effects. Some of the most common side effects of antibiotics, for example, are bloating and antiobiotic-associated diarrhoea . The good news is, however, that there are now many studies which confirm that taking a course of probiotics can help to reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea by as much as 50 percent in children and can have equally positive effects in adults. There is also evidence to show how probiotic bacteria can restore gut microbiota health to its original state after a disruption such as a course of antibiotics.
The beneficial effects of probiotics extend beyond remedying any potential adverse effects of antibiotic therapy, howeveras studies show that the live bacteria that we consume can support overall gut, skin, immune health and overall wellbeing. Probiotic species such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus,Bifidobacterium and Saccharomyces boulardii, are just a few examples of probiotics that have been well-studied for their health benefits. Probiotics also have immunomodulatory effectswhich, simply put, means that probiotics can positively affect us as their host by helping to regulate our immune system, bolster our mucosal immune cells and intestinal epithelial cells. When it comes to fighting off future pathogens and infections, this is therefore a very good thing!
What To Know About Prebiotics
What are alternatives to both probiotic and fecal transplants to get the gut back to health? Meyer, of the IFIC Foundation, wrote that if you are planning on taking probiotics, you should make sure to incorporate prebiotics in your regimen.
Prebiotics are defined as a substrate that is selectively utilized by host microorganisms conferring a health benefit, which means these foods cant be broken down by the human digestive system, she added. Simply stated, prebiotics are food for probiotics. Fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, cereals are all prebiotics. Specifically, artichokes, asparagus, bananas, berries, chicory, garlic, green vegetables, legumes, onions, tomatoes, as well as grains like barley, oat, and wheat prebiotics. In addition, other fibers like inulin are also prebiotics that are added to foods like granola bars, cereal, and yogurt.
She said the jury is out on what the ideal amount is for daily prebiotic or probiotic intake.
Id recommend incorporating prebiotics and probiotics predominately from food. Think yogurt topped with fruit and an oat-based cereal or an Asian-inspired veggie stir-fry with kimchi, she wrote.
Mayer said that even though there is no scientific evidence for support, consuming a variety of naturally fermented food products could be helpful for your gut.
Again, without scientific evidence, I would suggest not to increase fiber intake drastically, as it may result in gas and bloating type symptoms, he added.
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When Should You Take Probiotics With Antibiotics
Taking antibiotics gradually decreases the natural friendly bacteria gut which can result in less-than-ideal digestive issues, like not fully breaking down waste.
This can cause you to have diarrhea, indigestion, abdominal pain and cause a rapid decline in energy levels. The goal is to maintain a healthy gut microbiome, where many trillions of bacteria live peacefully with each other.
Studies have shown that taking probiotics at the same time while youre taking antibiotics can act as a counterbalance in the gut microbiome. Probiotics increase the beneficial bacteria and lessen the side effects of taking antibiotics.
Many pharmacists are already recommending people to take it together or eat more foods that replenish the good bacteria if they have been prescribed antibiotics.
Taking probiotics wont ruin the efficacy of your antibiotics, however you might want to make sure that your probiotics are suited to do the job.
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Why You Need To Take Probiotics With Antibiotics
Antibiotics are essential in killing harmful bacteria, but they can cause collateral damage to the good bacteria in your gut. The result may be diarrhea for a couple of days and sometimes weeks after stopping to take medicine. However, how can you benefit from the antibiotics without having to deal with nasty stomach side effects? The solution you are looking for can be found in probiotics, either in pills or even powders containing live microorganisms that provide health benefits.
There are about 1000 different species of bacteria with approximately 100 trillion bacteria in your intestines. When 80% of the bacteria are good bacteria, the harmful ones are kept at bay. However, when you take antibiotics, you change the microbiomes balance, which results in increasing numbers of harmful bacteria. The following are some of the reasons why you should take your probiotics with antibiotics
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Can Antibiotics Cause Diarrhea
Antibiotic therapy can cause diarrhea, which is known as antibiotic-induced diarrhea or antibiotic-associated diarrhea.Antibiotics kill both healthy and bad bacteria in the gut, disrupting the usual balance of microorganisms in the intestines.Until the antibiotic therapy is finished, a minor incidence of soft stools or diarrhea is common. Colitis, colon inflammation, and infection caused by Clostridium difficile, is a more significant side effect of antibiotic-induced diarrhea .Severe, watery diarrhea, stomach cramps and discomfort, fever, weight loss, and pus or blood in your feces are all possible side symptoms of C. difficile. If you have C. difficile symptoms, see your doctor right once for an evaluation and treatment.
When Antibiotics Meet The Gut Microbiome
While taking a full course of antibiotics is important for getting rid of pathogens, it also damages the commensal good gut microbes. One recent review study found that antibiotics cause profound changes in the gut microbiome which can persist for more than four months, though the long-term consequences of these changes is unclear.
Overall, antibiotics reduce the number of different bacteria in the gut which reduces the diversity of the ecosystem. In addition, the total amount of commensal bacteria is reduced after antibiotic treatment. Lower levels of bacterial diversity are also associated with many, though not all, autoimmune disorders.
But theres another unwanted consequence, pathogenic bacteria could take up some of the empty real estate and in rare cases it can lead to an antibiotic-resistant infection. Scientists are searching for ways to provide more protection to the commensal microbes as well as ways to promote the health of the gut ecosystem.
If we want to protect the gut microbiome while taking antibiotics, it makes sense to use a probiotic that is resistant to those drugs. Antibiotics can kill bacteria but arent as effective for other organisms. As a yeast, S. boulardii CNCM I-745 is the only probiotic resistant to any tested antibiotics, ensuring that it can survive what kills bacterial probiotic strains.
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Probiotics May Help Prevent Diarrhea Due To Antibiotic Use
- By Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing
ARCHIVED CONTENT: As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date each article was posted or last reviewed. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
Eating yogurt or taking a so-called probiotic when you have to take antibiotics may help prevent the diarrhea that often accompanies antibiotic treatment.
Thats the conclusion of a study just published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. A team of California-based researchers combined the results of 63 randomized trials pitting probiotics versus placebo among almost 12,000 men and women taking antibiotics. Those who took antibiotics plus probiotics were 42% less likely to develop diarrhea as those who got the placebo.
About one in three people who take antibiotics develop diarrhea. The symptoms usually start on the last day or two of antibiotic therapy, or a day or so after it has ended. The diarrhea is usually mild, with two to four loose stools per a lasting for a couple days. In most cases, it gets better quickly without treatment. That said, antibiotic-associated diarrhea makes some people very sick. The most severe form, called C. difficile colitis, can be life threatening.
Probiotics To Beat The Bacterium
Probiotic supplements are the best way to restore the balance of the natural bacterial colony in your gut. Poor diet and the use of antibiotics can cause these beneficial floras to become depleted, and probiotics can help restore numbers.
When the balance is in favor of beneficial strains again, bacteria like C. diff dont stand a chance.
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Specifically, there are three probiotic bacterial strains that have been shown to combat C. diff effectively. Incorporating these strains into your regular diet or taking in supplement form can prevent the harmful bacteria from taking over or if taken after infection, symptoms can be reduced and recovery will be much faster.
S. Boulardii: This is probiotic yeast, which has been shown to counteract the activities of C. diff within your gut. This beneficial yeast can inhibit the activities of inflammatory markers as well as reduce intestinal wall permeability. These actions reduce inflammation and prevent C. diff toxins from binding. A protease secreted by the S. Boulardii inhibits the production of the toxins produced by C. diff, which prevents it from damaging your intestinal walls.
Lactobacillus: This is a species of probiotics that have been used in numerous studies to combat the effects of C. diff. These bacteria have the ability to colonize in your gut and can protect you from pathogenic invaders.
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Bacteria: Beneficial Or Pathogenic
Bacteria are live, microscopic, single-celled organisms that exist everywhere: in our body, in the air we breathe, in the water we drink, etc. Some are very useful for the human body, particularly those present in the gut and which make up what is known as the intestinal microbiota. Other bacteria are less welcome, since they can cause diseases .
Best Probiotics With Antibiotics
There are a lot of myths floating out there about whether or not to take probiotics during an antibiotic course. The argument goes a little something like this: Im taking an antibiotic that kills bacteria why would I take a probiotic? Wouldnt my antibiotic just kill the probiotic?
The answer is that probiotic supplements during antibiotic treatment has been shown to reduce the severity of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. So even though your antibiotics might kill off some of those good gut bacteria, probiotics still reduce the negative side effects of antibiotics.
Heres a list of the most researched and effective probiotic supplements for reducing the incidence and severity of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. These are some of the best probiotic supplements on the market.
- Saccharomyces boulardii biocodex is found in the Florastor brand probiotic and helps to prevent C.diff infections and even helps those who tend to have recurrent C.diff infections. . This strain does not need to be refrigerated, so its very easy to buy saccharomyces boulardii online.
- Visbiome has also been shown to reduce the incidence of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Note that if you buy Visbiome online, you should choose a retailer that ships it refrigerated.
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG has been shown to reduce the occurrence of antibiotic-associated diarrhea, as well. Like Florastor, its easy to buy Culturelle online since it does not need to be refrigerated.
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How Does Taking Them To Affect Me
Some people experience none at all, while others will notice the effects very quickly.
You should watch for side effects if you decide to take them. If you feel anything strange or uncomfortable, stop taking them immediately. This could be a sign that something else is wrong.
The first and most obvious effect is that you will feel a lot better. This will help you prevent any illnesses and you will feel great.
Side Effects Of Antibiotics
Unfortunately, antibiotics are associated with a few side effects. These include:
- Digestive problems
The most common side effects of antibiotics are digestive problems. These include:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Abdominal pain or cramping
Luckily, many of the digestive problems that are caused by antibiotics can be helped by probiotic supplementation. Well go over that in just a minute, but hold tight there are a few other common side effects of antibiotics that well cover first.
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Some Doctors Warming Up To Probiotics
Probiotics May Help Prevent Diarrhea in Patients on Antibiotics
Thats a question that hospitalized patients being started on antibiotics may want to ask their doctors, according to a panel of doctors convened by the American College of Gastroenterology at its annual meeting here.
A review of 22 studies involving 3,096 patients presented at the meeting showed that taking probiotics while on antibiotics may cut the risk of developing antibiotic-associated diarrhea by about 60%.
Patients took any of a variety of probiotics, most commonly S. boulardii, for an average of one-and-one-half weeks. Most were hospitalized during treatment.
A second analysis that pooled the results of 28 studies involving 3,338 patients showed those given probiotics for at least as long as they were on antibiotics were 56% less likely to develop antibiotic-associated diarrhea than those given placebo.
Why? For all the good they can do, antibiotics kill good bacteria along with the bacteria that cause illness. A decrease in beneficial bacteria may lead to digestive problems. Taking probiotics may help replace the lost beneficial bacteria and help prevent diarrhea.
Probiotics also appeared to provide protection against potentially deadly bouts of diarrhea caused by the bug Clostridium difficile, or C. diff., says researcher Rabin Rahmani, MD, a gastroenterologist at Maimonides Medical Center in New York City.
