Keeping the Balance -Probiotics with Antibiotics

The following from Olwen Anderson highlights some reasons for probiotics supplements

when using antibiotics, as well as, making probiotics a part of your daily habits.  If you are looking to buy probiotics, Some links can be found there to a couple of products we trust.  Follow the link to information for your review process.

If Taking Antibiotics, Don’t Forget the Probiotics

We are all carrying some extra passengers in our intestines: Friendly bacteria, over 400 species in fact. As we have evolved, these bacteria have evolved with us to create a mutually beneficial relationship.

These friendly bugs help us absorb vital minerals and nutrients, and boost our gut immunity. They compete with pathogenic (bad) bacteria for space and resources, and actually produce substances which help keep the population of bad bacteria in check. If you’re stressed or run down, your gut environment changes, making it easier for pathogenic bacteria to take over.

Antibiotic medication will kill the good bacteria in your gut as well as the pathogenic ones. You can often tell when the bad bacteria have taken over; they produce lots of toxic gases, bringing on abdominal bloating, discomfort and some very anti-social levels of flatulence. The toxins they produce can inflame your gut wall too, which makes it harder for you to absorb nutrients from your food. Sometimes they’re active enough to bring on feelings of queasiness too, as your liver struggles to cope with the high level of toxic byproducts from their intestinal party antics.

If you are taking antibiotics, here are some important steps you can take to re-populate your intestines with good bacteria and improve your well being at the same time.

- Start taking probiotics supplements, and continue for a few weeks after you have finished the course of antibiotics. Buy a small bottle, and choose a different brand every time as each brand will supply a different blend of friendly bacteria. You can buy probiotics at your local health food store.

- Take your probiotic supplement in the evening, with a fibre-based food like fruit or legumes, as more bacteria will survive the trip to your intestines when they can hitch a ride on fibre. Ever noticed that advertisements for probiotics boast of the high numbers of bacteria in each dose?  That’s because some of the bacteria won’t make it past the very acidic environment in your stomach.

- You should take your probiotic supplement in the evening, as your gut is more active overnight.

- If you are not dairy intolerant, 100g of plain yogurt every day is a great natural probiotic supplement, and has been used in many cultures for centuries, along with other fermented foods, to promote bowel health. Make sure the yogurt is young (fresh) and enjoy several different brands for the best effect.

The probiotic bacteria will start to elbow out the bad bacteria, and help calm any bowel inflammation they have caused.  Now that you know how important those good bacteria are, remember to buy a bottle of probiotics when you pick up your antibiotic prescription.

Author: Olwen Anderson

Olwen Anderson is an accredited naturopath based on the north coast of New South Wales, Australia. Visit her web site for free health information, subscribe to her monthly Health e-News for up to date natural health information; and read more articles that can help you take control of your health.

Technorati Tags: antibiotics probiotics, buy, natural probiotic, probiotics benefits, probiotics supplements, probiotics yogurt