Antibiotics vs. Probiotics

Learn How To Supplement With Probiotics While On Antibiotics

beneficial bacteriaAntibiotics can take a toll on your body. But let’s face it, sometimes you just have to take them. So what can you do to restore your gut to it’s normal health and vitality after taking antibiotics? Is there anything you can do during the antibiotic regimen to prevent yeast overgrowth? Yes. In short, you need to rebuild the healthy flora in your gut. What does this mean?

First off, we need to discuss what antibiotics do. The root word “anti-” means “to destroy, kill”, or “go against”. “Bio” means “life”. So an antibiotic is taken to kill life or, to kill bacteria in the body. The problem that arises when taking antibiotics is they kill all bacteria in the body, good and bad. Healthy intestines should be filled with “good guy” bacteria though. These “good guys” can be likened to superheroes: They fight crime (like gas, bloating, and diarrhea), and they keep the bad guys (harmful bacteria like E.Coli) under control! But without the good guys to take care of the intestines and keep them clean and safe, the bad bacteria can flourish and cause a number of health problems- including the most common problem caused by taking antibiotics: Yeast infections.

the wonder of probiotics by dr. john r taylorSo how do you prevent yeast infections? (Also known as candida.) The first step you can take is Probiotic supplementation. Probiotics are the exact opposite of antibiotics. “Pro” means “for”. And of course “bio” means “life”. So by giving your body probiotics you are actually giving it good, healthy bacteria. These good bacteria infiltrate the intestines, change the pH, and make life uncomfortable for the bad bacteria to live there. So naturally the bad bacteria leave, making the intestines once again healthy and strong.

When you are on antibiotics for a specific time period, continue to supplement with probiotics. Of course, given at the same time the antibiotics will kill many of the probiotics off. But you can outsmart the system by taking them at least an hour and a half away from each other.

While on antibiotics:

Double the probiotic dose: 11 billion CFU’s of 5 or more stabilized species/strains of beneficial bacteria with each meal.

After completing the antibiotics: (usually a 5-10 day course) continue to double the probiotic dose for 2-3 weeks. This will rebuild the health of your gut and help it get into tip top shape! After the 2-3 week period, continue supplementing with probiotics normally, 5.5 billion CFU’s with each meal.

Remember: you want to take probiotics with food. This will help the probiotics to live longer and flourish in the gut. If a probiotic supplement suggests you take it away from food, the product is not stable, and not strong enough to be of benefit in your gut. If you need to take your antibioitc with food, skip the probiotics for that meal, and resume your regimen at the next.

Email us if you have any questions or need help with your probiotic regimen.

Probiotic Supplements That We Recommend:

Pro-Biotics Plus® Capsules

Pro-Biotics Plus® Stick Packs

Formulated by the Author of The Wonder of Probiotics (click to read an excerpt from the book)