Everyone’s heard about antibiotic resistance, and that’s simply speaking a form of medicine resistance where a microorganism can survive exposure to an antibiotic. This regrettable occurrence is assumed to have come about due to over-prescription and use of antibiotics.
Yet, long-term use and overuse of antibiotics has various other notable side effects, in addition to resistance. One of the most well-known effects is their effect on the digestive system and the balance of micro flora in the stomach.
Just how do antibiotics impact the digestive system?
Antibiotics perform by either eradicating bacteria (bacteriocidal antibiotics) or by precluding bacteria from growing (bacteriostatic antibiotics).
Undoubtedly, they can be extremely valuable in fighting bacterial infections, despite the antibiotic resistance that exists. On the other hand, as outlined above, they do carry a danger of unintended effects.
One of the leading problems with antibiotic use is that, while they’re created to eliminate bacterial cells, they cannot be programmed to kill only harmful bacteria (i.e. the pathogen responsible for the disease). Regrettably, they also destroy the important “good” bacteria within the body.
Friendly bacteria exist in their millions all around the body - on the skin, in openings such as the mouth area, nose area and vagina and, most importantly, in the intestines of the gastrointestinal system. They undertake critical functions at all of these sites, yet their most important purpose is to protect our bodies against prospective pathogens. The antibiotics are thus eradicating our bodies’ natural capacity to safeguard itself down the road.
Just how could an imbalance of intestinal flora affect your wellbeing?
Healthy intestinal flora is very important for a number of bodily activities, including forming stools, maintaining a healthy digestive system and manufacturing critical vitamins (such as B vitamins). Even so, they’re most critical to the most effective functioning of our immune systems.
You may be surprised to be told that the key to our immune system is in our gut. In truth, seventy per cent of all antibody producing cells in your body are situated in what is termed “Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissue” or GALT. This is the biggest collection of immune cells in the body.
Imbalances of intestinal flora can have a wide variety of bad side effects and manifest in many ways. For instance, fungi (like Candida) and bacteria such as pathogenic strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and C difficile may very well seize the chance offered by the body’s reduced resistance and are then better able to advance far more easily. This is one reason why antibiotic programmes typically trigger thrush (a fungal infection caused by Candida overgrowth).
Similarly, C difficile infections have become common in hospitals and nursing facilities over the last decade. It is because, after antibiotic treatments, the C difficile can grow rapidly in the absence of the usual limitations. The bacteria make poisons that inflame and eliminate the cells that line the large intestine, which can lead to severe diarrhea and internal hemorrhaging. Many other digestive conditions and complaints are also quite common, such as dysbiosis, toxic bowels and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) to mention but a few.
Multiple experiments have also revealed variations between the gut flora of obese people and those of the optimal size, implying that an imbalance may possibly cause problems for your weight and/or make it harder to get slimmer.
Maintaining a healthy balance of good and bad bacteria
Research indicates that the injury caused by antibiotics to the gut lasts for a far longer period than was previously assumed. Stanford University scientists in the USA evaluated the friendly gut bacteria in 3 healthy adult women both before and after each of 2 rounds on the antibiotic Cipro. Following the initial cycle, they saw that the medication affected the amount of the women’s good bacteria in the gut substantially, maybe even permanently. Following the second cycle half a year later, they noted that the effect was even greater.
As a result, it is best to take antibiotics only when absolutely necessary, i.e. when an infection is bad enough to result in pain and distress, or is debilitating or a risk to others. They should never be applied as a repeated “quick fix” for trivial afflictions and lengthy programmes ought to be avoided whenever realistically practicable.
In cases where antibiotic use is unavoidable, many individuals find it helpful to supplement their diets with additional friendly bacteria (called probiotics), before, during and after the programme of antibiotics is finished. It is widely considered that this will assist to replenish the digestive tract with the healthy bacteria that the antibiotics have annihilated.
Specialist Supplements Ltd offer a selection of top quality probiotics, including:
Multi-Flora ProBio: An 8-strain spectrum of friendly lactic bacteria, which should inhabit a healthy gut. 4 billion viable (living) probiotic organisms per vegetable cellulose capsule. Suitable for vegetarians.
ProBiotic MAX: Practitioner strength of 20 billion live probiotic bacteria per vegetable cellulose capsule. Also provides 8 strains of friendly bacteria for full spectrum support of the whole digestive and intestinal system. Suitable for vegetarians.
InternaCALM: A yeast probiotic, which contains 5 billion cfu Saccharomyces boulardii per vegetarian capsule. Suitable for vegetarians.
Check them out now by clicking on any of the links above!
* Before taking supplements, you are recommended to consult a physician or qualified health practitioner - particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or on medication.
Science