Why does our stomach get upset when we take Anti-Biotics
There are many side effects of using Anti-Biotics, stomach upset is one among them. Most of the people experience some sort of gut issue while taking an anti-biotic drug such as bloating, diarrhea, constipation, indigestion.
While anti-biotics are necessary to kill harmful bacteria and relive us from various infections, they would also kill good bacteria in our stomach. An anti-biotic does not discriminate between good and bad bacteria and kills everything in its path. As a result this disrupts and create imbalance in our gut microbiome or gut flora causing various digestive issues.
What to do?
Add Pro-Biotics to bring back balance in gut flora – Probiotics are friendly bacteria, fungi that restore or maintain the natural flora in the gut reducing antibiotic induced digestive issues.
Why is it important to maintain gut microbiome balance?
There are trillions of bacteria, fungi, virus and protozoa that reside in our gut. All these different species of micro organisms living in our gut are called gut flora or microbiome. Apart from gut these good microorganisms also live in mouth, vagina, urinary tract, skin, lungs. There are many key functions that our gut flora performs in our body.
- Modulates Immunity
- Helps in digestion and absorption of nutrients from food
- Produces some of the vitamins like Biotin and Vitamin K
- Controls our mood as our gut produces 95% of serotonin – a neurotransmitter that controls mood and our digestion
- Control proliferation of bad micro organisms
- Support cell lining of our intestines
What are the most common types of probiotic bacteria?
Though there are many types of bacteria that can be considered probiotics, there are two specific types of bacteria that are common probiotics found in stores. These include:
- Lactobacillus.
- Bifidobacterium.
Probiotics are also made up of good yeast. The most common type of yeast found in probiotics is:
- Saccharomyces boulardii.
Foods that contain probiotics
- Yogurt or Curd (fermented more than 12 hours)
- Buttermilk made from fermented curd.
- Sourdough bread.
- Kombucha.
- Tempeh.
- Fermented pickles.
- Fermented sauerkraut.
- Kimchi.
Will probiotics from natural foods enough while taking antibiotics
Most of the good micro organisms from natural foods listed foods are good enough to maintain a healthy gut while not using anti-biotics. When we use anti-biotics it is recommended to supplement with probiotics as the antibiotic has a high tendency to kill these natural cultures.
Hence one may consider taking a quality probiotic supplement which as 10 to 20 billion CFUs (colony forming units) per day while on antibiotic course.
When to take Probiotics
- While taking antibiotics: Since there is a high chance that antibiotics can kill good bacteria in probiotics if both of them taken together, keep a gap of at least 2 hours between two tablets. For example if antibiotic is taken in the morning, take the probiotic supplement in afternoon. It is a good practice to take probiotic during the antibiotic course and also continue for 5 more days after to restore the gut microbiome.
- If not taking antibiotics and for general health: A Probiotic supplement can be taken empty stomach or 15 minutes before a meal. If a probiotic is taken after a meal, there is a possibility that some of the probiotic bacteria could die due to our stomach acid.
*Do read the Disclaimer