Antibiotics can save lives and can be a powerful weapon against bacterial infections when used responsible. Antibiotics specifically attack groups of bacteria with certain properties.
Broad-spectrum antibiotics are the ones that kill the most bacteria. Unfortunately, antibiotics are not only effective against pathogens, but also against the good bacteria in our intestinal flora. Thusly, the use of antibiotics damages the beneficial intestinal flora, which allows detrimental bacteria to gain the upper hand.
Fast and violent: diarrhea and intestinal inflammation
If antibiotics damage the intestinal flora, then it reduces the body’s ability to defend against illness. Particularly, it can lead to an infection with the bacterium Clostridium difficile as a result. Clostridium difficile is a regular colon inhabitant that normally does not cause any discomfort.
However, if the proportions of the different bacterial species change, then the colon is unbalanced. Clostridium difficile can take over and cause life-threatening diarrhea and intestinal inflammation. Sick and vulnerable people, people in the convalescence phase (e.g. after hospitalization), and people after taking antibiotics for several weeks are particularly at risk.
The negative antibiotic effect on the intestinal flora is still lingering, even after 12 months.
Studies show that the intestinal flora is not only damaged in the short term by taking antibiotics, but it could effect the long term health of the flora. In one study, for example, a strong decrease in bacterial diversity (bacterial diversity) was demonstrated after 12 months. This has consequences!
Since it has been possible to analyze the bacterial composition of stool more precisely using laboratory tests, the correlations between dysbiosis and diseases have become increasingly clear. Bowel diseases – from Leaky Gut Syndrome to inflamed intestinal mucosa to chronic intestinal inflammation – are associated with the disruption of intestinal flora.
Allergies, food intolerances and autoimmune diseases are increasing. The body weight and the psyche are also influenced by the intestinal bacteria. Therefore, it is particularly important to restore the intestinal flora as quickly as possible after antibiotic therapy for long term health.
Probiotics prevent the side effects of antibiotics.
The intestinal flora weakened or damaged by antibiotics needs external support. Probiotics are preparations containing high concentrations of health-promoting bacteria and effective preparations provide at least 10 billion CFU (colony-forming units) per daily dose. These quantities are not achieved with just yogurt.
After antibiotic treatment, consistent and long-term use of probiotics is highly recommended. If possible, in order to strengthen the intestinal flora and increase its resistance, one should start supplementation before antibiotic therapy. Supplementary probiotics support is also possible during ingestion. In this case, it is important to keep the time between taking antibiotics as long as possible.
Multi-strain preparation has advantages over mono-products
Doctors often recommend mono-products containing only one bacterial species or Saccharomyces yeast, as their costs are partially reimbursed by health insurance companies. Clinical studies have proven its effectiveness in preventing diarrhea caused by Clostridium difficile.
However, multi-strain preparations containing several species are even more effective, as a meta-analysis has shown. For the restoration of bacterial diversity to support the desired intestinal flora, multi-strain preparations containing different bacterial cultures are also more beneficial. The interaction of several bacterial species promotes a stable and diverse bacterial community, which is a cornerstone of human health.
