If you need to take antibiotics this winter, consider probiotics too
Posted on 22 December 2008
Antibiotics can be life-savers and reduce illness and suffering, but they are no without risk. For a start, the widespread (and sometimes indiscriminate) use of antibiotics over the last few decades has contributed to the emergence of anti-biotic resistant bacteria that themselves can prove fatal. Antibiotic-related allergy is another issue with potentially fatal consequences. Another risk associated with antibiotics is that of them cutting a swathe through the
Published December 22, 2008 . Filed under: Nutrients and Supplements
I just finished a course of Keflex antiobiotic and prednisone for a bad sinus infection. Any suggestions for what to look for in a probiotic? Am I looking for a supplement in “pill” form or should I try a kefir drink, and if so, how long do I need to use them?
TrailGrrl
December 24, 2008 @ 1:29 am
“Seven good quality studies were identified, and the results support the use of antibiotics for the prevention of antibiotic-related diarrhoea.”
Do you mean “the use of probiotics for the prevention of antibiotic-related diarrhoea”?
December 24, 2008 @ 1:39 am
“Antibiotic therapy (particularly repeated courses) has the theoretical capacity to upset the
December 24, 2008 @ 1:43 am
Ian
“How theoretical?”
What do you mean “how theoretical”? How would this be measured?
“What are the chances? What are the outcomes?”
Can’t say: it’s not been studied to my knowledge.
December 24, 2008 @ 11:27 am
[...] Dr. John Briffa echoes a sentiment I made recently; if you must take antiobiotics be sure to take some probiotics to protect your gut. [...]
December 31, 2008 @ 5:26 am
Wayne…
This post Moments with Marilyn, Write in Your Questions | Herbal Collective Source is just the kind of information I am looking for. I am a colon cancer survivor, so all health issues have become of great concern to me. Just so you know, I found it w…
February 1, 2009 @ 5:11 pm
i would like to know if a person takes probiotic during taking antibiotics or after antibiotics?
March 17, 2009 @ 9:47 pm
Thanks Dr. Briffa! I read a recent article in Health magazine about the benefits of probiotics. I then went online for more information and found your site. I’ve been taking Align probiotic for only 5 days and have noticed a significant improvement in my symptoms, which I’ve had for probably 10 years (extreme bloating/gas, and alternating constipation/diarrhea). I was on a maintenance antibiotic for 10-15 years for recurrent UTI and had no idea that this could be the root of my problem. I stopped taking the antibiotic in February but noticed little improvement in my GI symptoms. It’s clear to me that my body needed some help rebuilding the balance in my GI tract due to destruction of my body’s good bacteria, caused by years of taking a maintenance antibiotic. I’ve gone for every test under the sun to figure out what was wrong with me, asked every possible question of my doctors, tried different meds and supplements, and finally probiotics (which no one previously recommended). Wish I had known years ago that probiotics may be the solution! If you know of other probiotics that might also help me, please let me know. I’m once again hopeful that this is the solution to all of my symptoms.
Thanks for posting this information and I hope others will find it as helpful as I did!!!
June 6, 2009 @ 10:10 am