Probiotics

I have heard that I should take a probiotic after I have taken an antibiotic to restore the good bacteria that the antibiotics have killed.   Will eating yogurt be enough to give me all the probiotics I need?

Antibiotics kill all bacteria.  They do not differentiate between the bad bacteria or pathogens and the good beneficial bacteria that keeps us healthy and our immune system strong. Prolonged use of antibiotics as well as other medications such as non-steroidal autoinflammatory drugs, oral contraceptives, anti-ulcer medications, antacids and consumption of processed foods contribute to dysbiosis.  Dysbiosis, which is an imbalance between protective and harmful bacteria, not only weakens our immune system making us more susceptible to illness but may lead to a serious condition that may be the underlying cause of some prevalent diseases. Some of the disorders include:  weakened immune function, hormonal imbalance, eczema, insomnia and mood disorders such as anxiety.

We have trillions of bacteria (over 5,000 known good strains) in our digestive tract which needs to stay in balance to keep us at optimal health.  In fact, we have 10 times more bacterial cells in your body than you do human.  Researchers have even been able to isolate probiotic strains that work specifically in the mouth and throat that help destroy disease causing bacteria and replace them with beneficial bacteria that protect teeth and gums and even prevent Strep throat by keeping disease causing organisms such as Streptococcus pyrogens under control.  The gut which is also called the second brain and uses beneficial bacteria found there in the production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin.  Researchers have shown that using two specific strains of probiotics relieved symptoms of anxiety and depression, while demonstrating reductions in stress and anxiety producing hormones.  The list of benefits and stacks of studies goes on and on.  That is why it is said that health begins in the gut!

Now that I have had so much about the benefits of probiotics let me answer the question.  While Yogurt is a good source of probiotics, most commercial brands on the shelves contain many additives and lots of sugar in the form of high fructose corn syrup which is actually food for the disease-causing bacteria and yeast in our gut.   My recommendation is to read the label before buying yogurt.  There are good Greek unsweetened yogurts out there and you can add your own fruit to add flavor if you wish. A Canadian study also found that most of the products don’t have anywhere near enough of the “healthy bacteria” to do much good.

Over the ten years of owning my pharmacy the number one selling and requested supplement was probiotics.   The reason for this was the health benefit derived from taking them.  The important thing in choosing a probiotic to restore balance to your gut after taking antibiotics is to choose a high quality multi-strain brand.  I know it can get confusing with all of the brands out there.   Read the label carefully and seek advice from a knowledgeable health care professional who is familiar with the product.   I will provide a chart explaining what the various strains do.

Here is a list of other highly beneficial foods naturally high in probiotics:

Kefir, Sauerkraut, Kimchi, Kombucha, Raw Cheese, Apple Cider Vineger and Miso to name a few.