We are all carrying some extra passengers in our intestines: Friendly bacteria, over 400 species in fact. As we have evolved, these bacteria have evolved with us to result in a mutually beneficial relationship.
These friendly bugs help us absorb vital minerals and nutrients, and boost our gut immunity. They compete with pathogenic (bad) bacteria for space and resources, and actually produce substances which help keep the population of bad bacteria in check. If you're stressed or run down, your gut environment changes, making it easier for pathogenic bacteria to take over.
Antibiotic medication will kill the good bacteria in your gut as well as the pathogenic ones. You can often tell when the bad bacteria have taken over – they produce lots of toxic gases, bringing on abdominal bloating, discomfort and some very anti-social levels of flatulence. The toxins they produce can inflame your gut wall too, which makes it harder for you to absorb nutrients from your food. Sometimes they're active enough to bring on feelings of queasiness too, as your liver struggles to cope with the high level of toxic byproducts from their intestinal party antics.
If you are taking antibiotics, here are some important steps you can take to re-populate your intestines with good bacteria and improve your well being at the same time.
- Start taking a probiotic supplement, and continue for a few weeks after you have finished the course of antibiotics. Buy a small bottle, and choose a different brand every time as each brand will supply a different blend of friendly bacteria. You can buy probiotics at your local health food store.
- Take your probiotic supplement in the evening, with a fibre-based food like fruit or legumes, as more bacteria will survive the trip to your intestines when they can hitch a ride on fibre. Ever noticed that advertisements for probiotics boast of the high numbers of bacteria in each dose? That's because some of the bacteria won't make it past the very acidic environment in your stomach.
- You should take your probiotic supplement in the evening, as your gut is more active overnight.
- If you are not dairy intolerant, 100g of plain yoghourt every day is a great probiotic supplement, and has been used in many cultures for centuries, along with other fermented foods, to promote bowel health. Make sure the yoghourt is young (fresh) and enjoy several different brands for the best effect.
The probiotic bacteria will start to elbow out the bad bacteria, and help calm any bowel inflammation they've caused. Now that you know how important those good bacteria are, remember to pick up a bottle of probiotics when you pick up your antibiotic prescription.
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