Once you have taken antibiotics to remove bad bacteria from somewhere in your body, these are some steps I recommend in rebalancing your gut flora.

Bad bacteria thrive on sugar, and most antibiotics will remove 50% of your bad bacteria the first week you are on them. The second week about 85%. This may be why your doctor had you on 2 antibiotics to make sure you were eliminating more of the bad bacteria, or they want to make sure you take the full regimen prescribed to you! It is important to not be drinking alcohol or consuming Cannabis because their consumption typically pushes bad bacteria deeper through your gut lining, causing leaky gut and potentially pushing them into other areas in your body. Alcohol and cannabis can be a reason why over growth started in the first place, by slowing down the motility of your gastrointestinal tract creating more time for the bad bacteria grow.

During your regimen not altering your sugar diet keeps the bad bacteria active and ready to be killed off by the antibiotics. After your regimen it is beneficial to cut back all sugars for 2-4 weeks to make sure you are able to kill off any left over bacteria and create an environment for good bacteria to thrive and survive!

Bone broth, and other glycine, like aloe vera juice and gelatin aid in repairing and maintains the integrity of the gut lining.

Some examples of supporting supplements for above:

https://nutridyn.com/gastrointestinal-health/dynamic-gi-restore

https://nutridyn.com/gastrointestinal-health/dynamic-gi-integrity

NutriDyn | Pyloristat

https://nutridyn.com/gastrointestinal-health/cape-aloe-r175

Which Probiotics to take:

During and following a course of antibiotics high-strength probiotic are imperative to take. These friendly microbes in our intestines comprise the beneficial types of bacteria and yeast found in the normal microflora of our gut. Probiotics are also found in certain foods and as dietary supplements. There are hundreds of different types of probiotics, from lactobacilli (for example, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus GG), bifidobacteria (such as Bifidobacterium bifidus) and some yeasts (Saccharomyces boulardii). Considering that antibiotics are indiscriminate to the bacterial microbes they address, it may seem counterintuitive to take probiotics during a course of antibiotics. The medical world would like to do more trials on which probiotics benefit with which antibiotic given and or which illnesses, but the many randomized, placebo-controlled trials have been promising so far. They have demonstrated the effectiveness in taking a high potency, professional grade, probiotic during a course of antibiotics. Talking with a health professional who has experienced success cases post antibiotic use in rebalancing the gut is a great place to start in getting the right probiotics for you!

Antibiotic resistance is accelerated by the misuse and overuse of antibiotics. Antibiotic resistance is the ability of a bacteria to evolve to the point where they resist the effects of the medication previously used to treat them, and thus reduces or eliminates the effectiveness of antibiotics. Dr. Nigel Plummer, a doctor in microbial physiology and a leading authority on probiotics, has found that there is clear evidence that the use of probiotics around an antibiotic decreases the level of antibiotic resistance! Other benefits found is the ability for probiotics given to maintain the balance of gut flora, reduce side effects and prevent the growth of ‘bad’ bacteria during and after the therapy.

Some examples of supporting supplements for above:

UltraFlora® Restore | Metagenics, Inc.

For kids:

https://nutridyn.com/suppys-probiotic-liquid

For infants:

MetaKids™ Baby Probiotic | Metagenics, Inc.

Prebiotics:

Prebiotics are generally soluble fibers. They act like fertilizers by stimulating the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut! Dietary fiber can be split into two categories – soluble fiber which is fermented by gut bacteria, and insoluble fiber which is not fermentable and acts as roughage. It is the soluble fiber we are wanting. During and after antibiotic use, focus on getting plenty of soluble fiber found in starchy tubers, squash, Jicama, Jerusalem artichoke and peeled fruits. Allium vegetables such as garlic, onion, leeks, chives, and scallions are great choices. Add these to food raw for the best source of prebiotics. While you are on your antibiotic it is beneficial to take your probiotic with these foods directly. When you are postantibiotics, taking your probiotics 2 hours after eating before bed, or right away when you sit up from bed and wait 30 minutes to eat anything is an ideal time to take your probiotics. By providing our microbiome with a food source, we can encourage the healthier members of microbiota to grow and in the process make us healthier. As well, taking your probiotic is better than not taking it at all! If the above seems difficult here are some easier examples of supporting supplements for getting in some prebiotics:

https://nutridyn.com/nutridyn-fruits-greens

This helps support your liver as well provide you with some base nutrients to start increasing your gut health again!

How antibiotics take a toll on your liver, especially if you’re on them for an extended period of time. Not only is the liver responsible for metabolizing and detoxifying medications, it also acts as the clean-up crew to the thousands of microbes that have expired as a results of the antibiotics. The liver holds 500 jobs in the body! Milk thistle is a great supplement for supporting liver health, and can be taken in a pill or as a tea (420mg/day in divided doses). Eating beets and carrots can stimulate and support overall liver function. Glutathione, a compound that supports liver detoxification, can be found in avocados and leafy greens. Consider incorporating these foods, as they are also beneficial prebiotics. Also, don’t forget to drink plenty of water, as it will help flush out unwanted toxins.

Our gut bacteria is established in the first 2-3 years of life and play important roles in nutrition, digestion, metabolism, immune function and protection. Our gut protects us, so let’s protect our gut! If you find yourself in a situation where antibiotics are indicated, consider the above and for further assistant please contact us at [email protected] to help support your overall health.

Have a wonderful day!

Dr. Susan