Eli5: If we are to assume that probiotics survive and thrive in our bodies, why is it necessary to take them indefinitely? Shouldn’t we be able to establish a self-sustaining colony?

Question

Eli5: If we are to assume that probiotics survive and thrive in our bodies, why is it necessary to take them indefinitely? Shouldn’t we be able to establish a self-sustaining colony?

In: Biology

Answer 1

Probiotics are usually prescribed with antibiotics.

The problem with antibiotics is they kill all microorganisms in your body, the “bad” ones that are causing the infection, and the “good” ones in your digestive tract that help with digestion.

So the doctors give you probiotics in order to “restore” your digestive tract bacteria. But typically you have to continue taking antibiotics for at least two weeks, so the probiotics you just took will be killed by the antibiotics.

So that’s why you have to keep taking them.

Once the antibiotics are done, you should stop taking the probiotics too; what you have in your intestines will then be able to survive and thrive.