Sometimes it is absolutely essential to take antibiotics, and in such cases, you should take them. However, most people are aware that antibiotics can have a very negative impact on the gut flora by killing many probiotic bacteria, which can have long-term consequences for health—yeast overgrowth being just one of them.
Some people believe that probiotics should not be taken during a course of antibiotics, thinking that the antibiotics will kill the probiotics, making it pointless to take them. This is not true. Several high-quality studies (randomised, placebo-controlled) have shown that taking probiotics during an antibiotic course reduces negative side effects and helps prevent gastrointestinal infections. However, it is best to leave as many hours as possible between taking your antibiotics and your probiotics.
A study was conducted involving 135 hospitalised patients who were given antibiotics along with either probiotics (gut bacteria) or a placebo (inactive placebo capsules). Among those who received the inactive placebo capsules, 34% developed antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, compared to only 12% of those who took probiotics. Additionally, 17% of the placebo group developed diarrhoea caused by the severe gut pathogen *Clostridium difficile*, whereas none of those who took probiotics experienced this issue.
Prolonged use of antibiotics can also negatively affect the liver, impairing its ability to detoxify. Furthermore, antibiotics contribute to increased levels of lipopolysaccharides (LPS), which are molecules found on the surface of gram-negative bacteria. When these bacteria die, large amounts of LPS are released, potentially triggering an immune response that can cause severe symptoms—sometimes worse than the illness itself.
We have not come across a better probiotic than Flora Plus+. During an antibiotic course and for at least two weeks afterwards, we would triple our probiotic intake. Probiotic supplements should always be taken with food. Of course, we also recommend taking probiotics before starting an antibiotic course. Flora Plus+ can also be taken continuously.
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Scientific references and sources
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