Antibiotics are a powerful tool to fight bacterial infections. However, while antibiotics work hard to eliminate harmful bacteria, they also kill the healthy bacteria in your gut, leaving your colon susceptible to diarrhea and an imbalance of healthy and harmful bacteria. That’s where probiotics come in—a natural way to support your gut health during and after antibiotic treatment.
Let’s explore why taking probiotics alongside antibiotics, and even after finishing them, can make a big difference:
1. Probiotics Reduce Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea (AAD)
One of the most common side effects of antibiotics is diarrhea. In fact, research shows probiotics can reduce this risk by 37%. Certain strains, like Saccharomyces boulardii and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, are especially effective at protecting your gut.
2. Supporting a Healthy Gut Environment
Antibiotics can disrupt the delicate balance of bacteria in your gut, making it harder for your digestive system to function properly. Probiotics can help maintain this balance. For example, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 has been shown to stabilize the gut environment during and after antibiotic use.
3. Helping Your Gut Recover Faster
After completing a course of antibiotics, your gut needs time to bounce back. Probiotics can speed up this process. Studies show that using a combination of probiotic strains can help restore your gut bacteria to their healthy state more quickly than going without them.
4. Preventing Overgrowth of Harmful Bacteria
When the good bacteria in your gut are wiped out by antibiotics, harmful bacteria can sometimes overgrow. Probiotics promote the growth of beneficial bacteria, which helps keep the bad bacteria in check.
Choosing the Right Probiotics for Your Family
It’s important to choose the right probiotic for each member of your family:
- For infants (under 4 years): A specially formulated infant probiotic supports their developing digestive system.
- For kids (ages 4-12): A children’s probiotic ensures their gut stays balanced during and after antibiotic use.
- For adults: Probiotic capsules designed for adults help restore and maintain a healthy gut.
Taking the right probiotic for your age group can make all the difference in keeping your gut healthy. For my patients, I commonly recommend taking a probiotic daily while on antibiotics and for 2 weeks after finishing antibiotics.
Members of Blue Ocean Family Medicine get 30% off of professional grade supplements. If you are a member and don’t have the link to the store and discount code please text Dr Lofley or the office (615) 266-6465 to get the code. (If you aren’t a member and want this and other great benefits, then visit our new patients page.)
Why Probiotics Matter
Antibiotics are essential for fighting infections, but they can also disrupt your gut health. By taking probiotics during and after antibiotic treatment, you can:
- Lower your risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea
- Support a healthy gut microbiota
- Recover faster after antibiotics
- Protect against the overgrowth of harmful bacteria
Taking care of your gut helps you stay healthy overall. If you or your family are starting antibiotics, consider adding a probiotic to your routine. It’s a simple step with big benefits for your health.
Ready to Support Your Gut?
Explore our recommended probiotics for all ages here.
References
- Goodman C, et al. Probiotics for the Prevention of Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhoea: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. BMJ Open. 2021;11(8):e043054. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043054.
- Preidis GA, et al. AGA Technical Review on the Role of Probiotics in the Management of Gastrointestinal Disorders. Gastroenterology. 2020;159(2):708-738.e4. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2020.05.060.
- Merenstein D, et al. Subsp. BB-12 Protects Against Antibiotic-Induced Functional and Compositional Changes in Human Fecal Microbiome. Nutrients. 2021;13(8):2814. doi:10.3390/nu13082814.
- FitzGerald J, et al. Improved Gut Microbiome Recovery Following Drug Therapy Is Linked to Abundance and Replication of Probiotic Strains. Gut Microbes. 2022 Jan-Dec;14(1):2094664. doi:10.1080/19490976.2022.2094664.
- Forssten S, et al. Influence of a Probiotic Mixture on Antibiotic Induced Microbiota Disturbances. World Journal of Gastroenterology. 2014;20(33):11878-85. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i33.11878.
- Grazul H, et al. Impact of Probiotic Supplements on Microbiome Diversity Following Antibiotic Treatment of Mice. Gut Microbes. 2016;7(2):101-14. doi:10.1080/19490976.2016.1138197.
