When To Take Probiotics and Antibiotics: Unravelling The Truth
- It's usually advisable to refrain from ingesting probiotics for at least two hours after taking antibiotics (1).
- It is suggested that the beneficial microbes in the gut be preserved before ingesting probiotics to decrease side effects (2).
- Probiotics might assist in restoring the equilibrium of bacteria in the gut, reducing the risk of diarrhea (3).
- Probiotics reduced the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea by 42% (4).
You need a balance of both to properly care for your gut flora. This is due to the fact that while some microorganisms in your gut aid in healthy digestion and general wellbeing, others can be harmful if they proliferate unchecked. You will have a healthy microbial balance and reap the benefits if you maintain it by eating a healthy diet and monitoring your lifestyle choices. The imbalance will, however, only worsen over time if the microbial balance is disturbed by external factors like antibiotics or probiotics that are inappropriate for the condition being treated. We'll go into great detail about when to take probiotics and antibiotics in this blog post.
When To Take Probiotics and Antibiotics
Taking an antibiotic actually kills the harmful bacteria in your gut that are most likely the cause of your health issues. By getting rid of the bacteria, your body is better able to use bacterial enzymes, a vital source of nutrients. But it's possible that your body won't be able to make as many enzymes to digest food or absorb vital nutrients as quickly as usual. It might therefore lead to:
- You feel less energised than usual because your body is not getting the energy it requires.
- It's possible for nutritional deficiencies to arise.
- There is a chance of developing bacterial infections once more.
You ought to think about taking probiotics if you struggle with any of these conditions. If you are taking antibiotics for a chronic condition or for a few months after your course of treatment is complete, you may continue to do this.
Can You Take Probiotics While on Antibiotics?
You can use probiotics effectively while taking antibiotics if you choose them wisely. Probiotics designed to produce particular vitamins and minerals as well as probiotics that can withstand antibiotics are among these (antibiotic-resistant probiotics). Antibiotics may destroy probiotics because they are living, naturally occurring bacteria. It's important to ask your doctor if you can take probiotics while taking antibiotics. It is best to stop taking antibiotics at least two to three months before beginning a probiotic regimen, if you can.
Is It Okay To Take Probiotics With Antibiotics?
Probiotics and antibiotics shouldn't be taken together in most cases, but there may be some instances where doing so could be advantageous. Antibiotics have the potential to reduce the effectiveness of probiotics by killing both harmful and beneficial bacteria in the gut. It is therefore best to hold off on taking probiotics until after the entire course of antibiotics has been finished. Taking probiotics after finishing an antibiotic course may help to restore the good bacteria in the gut that the antibiotics may have killed off, potentially lowering the risk of diarrhea brought on by antibiotics and other digestive side effects.
In conclusion, while taking probiotics alongside antibiotics may be acceptable in some cases, it's usually best to wait until the antibiotic course is finished and to consult a healthcare professional before beginning any new supplements.
Do Antibiotics Kill Probiotics?
This is probably one of the most common questions surrounding antibiotics and probiotics. There is some truth to this notion, but it is a little more complicated than it seems. Due to the fact that the dose of antibiotics kills all bacteria, the gut flora gets disrupted. The disruption resulting in a “leaky gut” can allow food particles to enter the bloodstream and cause inflammation in the body.
Antibiotics also rob the gut of important nutrients such as B vitamins, Vitamin K, and Vitamin E. When the gut flora is disrupted, it could be difficult for probiotics to establish themselves and thereby become ineffective. Another thing to consider is that antibiotics can alter the composition of gut flora. Certain strains of bacteria are altered by antibiotics, thus changing the composition of the flora. This is why it is recommended to take probiotics after antibiotics to restore the gut flora to its original composition.
How Long Should You Wait Before Taking Probiotics?
It's generally recommended to wait at least 2 hours after taking antibiotics before taking probiotics. This is to ensure that the antibiotics have had time to work and won't kill off the beneficial bacteria in the probiotics.
However, the exact timing may depend on the specific antibiotics you're taking and the type of probiotics you plan to take. It's always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional, such as a doctor or pharmacist, for specific recommendations based on your individual circumstances.
In general, it's also a good idea to continue taking probiotics for at least a few weeks after finishing a course of antibiotics, as this can help restore the natural balance of bacteria in your gut. Again, your healthcare professional can provide more specific guidance on the timing and dosage of probiotics for your particular situation.
Conclusion
You need a balance of both to properly care for your gut flora. This is due to the fact that while some microorganisms in your gut aid in healthy digestion and general wellbeing, others can be harmful if they proliferate unchecked. You will have a healthy microbial balance and reap the benefits if you maintain it by eating a healthy diet and monitoring your lifestyle choices. The imbalance will, however, only worsen over time if the microbial balance is disturbed by external factors like antibiotics or probiotics that are inappropriate for the condition being treated.
In-depth discussion of when to take antibiotics and when to avoid them is provided in this blog post. From there, we'll discuss the best times to take probiotics and what to watch out for. Remain tuned!
Enjoy reading? Check out this other article: 3 Amazing Signs That Probiotics Are Working
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References
- NPR. (2018, August 20). Taking Probiotics After Antibiotics May Not Be A Good Idea. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/08/20/640380610/taking-probiotics-after-antibiotics-may-not-be-a-good-idea
- McFarland, L. V. (2015). Probiotics for Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea: Focus on Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Saccharomyces boulardii. PubMed Central. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4143727/
- Goldenberg, J. Z., Yap, C., Lytvyn, L., Lo, C. K. F., Beardsley, J., Mertz, D., ... & Johnston, B. C. (2018). Probiotics for the Prevention of Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea in Outpatients-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PubMed Central. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6059356/
- Hempel, S., Newberry, S. J., Maher, A. R., Wang, Z., Miles, J. N., Shanman, R., ... & Shekelle, P. G. (2008). Probiotics during Antibiotic Treatment: What is the Evidence? Clinical Infectious Diseases, 46(Supplement_2), S115-S121. https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/46/Supplement_2/S115/286152
