Benefits of Taking Probiotics While on Antibiotics

Antibiotics are great at fighting a bacterial infection. But while they are attacking the bad bacteria, they can also destroy some of your good bacteria. This can lead to unpleasant side effects, like gastrointestinal problems or a yeast infection. Probiotics have been shown to help alleviate those side effects and possibly shorten the duration of your symptoms.

Probiotics are living microorganisms found in healthy bodies and certain foods. You can also get them from probiotic supplements ^1,2. Not only are probiotics good for your gut, they are also beneficial for immune, urinary, and vaginal health^3,4. Here's how probiotics can help your body stay balanced, especially when you're taking an antibiotic.

Antibiotics Can Impact Your Digestive System

Not only do antibiotics kill off bad bacteria, they also reduce the bacteria that balance the body’s digestive system. For those who may suffer from an upset stomach or more serious gastrointestinal conditions, there’s evidence that some probiotics help you avoid antibiotic-associated diarrhea, infection-induced diarrhea, and irritable bowel syndrome ¹. These friendly bacteria inhibit pathogens, or disease-causing germs¹. But even if you are not on an antibiotic, you can benefit from probiotics to help balance your body's gut bacteria^3,4.

Antibiotics Can Bring on Vaginal Infections

A healthy vagina contains various microorganisms, including lactobacillus (the most common kind of good bacteria). Found naturally in the vagina, lactobacilli play a role in stopping disease-causing bacteria that can lead to infections, including bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, urinary tract infections, and STDs ⁵. For certain vaginal infections, your doctor may prescribe medications, which can cause pH levels in the vagina to fluctuate⁶. By taking a daily probiotic, you can help maintain a healthy vaginal flora and pH.

Probiotic Supplements Can Help Replenish Healthy Bacteria Strains

When choosing a probiotic supplement, check for strains that you'd normally find in a healthy body. These naturally occurring cultures promote digestive and vaginal health, and could have broader benefits.

• Lactobacillus rhamnosus is a probiotic strain that can help prevent and treat gastrointestinal infections and shorten the duration of acute diarrhea in adults and children³.
• Lactobacillus acidophilus may also help prevent and treat diarrhea⁷, symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome like pain and bloating^8,9, and vaginal infections⁵. It has also been shown to support the immune system³.
• Bifidobacterium lactis occurs naturally both in the body and in dairy. This strain helps relieve constipation and help stools pass more easily^10,11,12.
• Bifidobacterium longum is a strain that has been used to treat patients with ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory disease of the colon¹³.

Combine Probiotic Foods With A Daily Supplement

Probiotics can be found naturally in foods like fermented soft cheeses, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso soup, kefir, and yogurt. While it’s smart to add these foods to your diet, it may also be smart to add a probiotic supplement containing billions of cultures, like the NATURELO Probiotic supplement, with 11 probiotic strains 50 Billion CFU strong.