If someone takes antibiotics for several weeks, and also takes a probiotic, do the antibiotics just kill the probiotic bacteria before they can do any good?
In: Chemistry
It’s worth remembering that different antibiotics work in different ways. Some, such as co-amoxiclav, are combined with acids to target resistant bacteria.
That said, antibiotics do play havoc with your gut bacteria. However, there are something in the region of 100 trillion in there, and they aren’t all wiped out. Best practice is to try and “feed” them by eating plenty of yoghurt as well as fibre-rich seeds, nuts, lentils, peas and berries.
The problem with probiotics is that you’re effectively introducing competition rather than helping your gut bacteria recover – which bacteria can do notoriously well.
Kind of think of it as if you were off sick from work, got back and your boss said “Hey, I’ve hired this new person to help you out. Because, you know, I think you’re a bit unreliable because you were sick. Work with them for a bit”. People don’t like sharing a job and gut bacteria are little different.
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