How much probiotics should i take when on antibiotics?
Are you currently taking antibiotics and feeling a little off in the gut? Well don’t worry, my dear friend. This is a common side effect of those little capsules filled with unicorn tears that are supposed to be making us better. Fear not, for there is hope: probiotics.
What Exactly Are Probiotics?
Probiotics are tiny organisms that live inside our bodies (yes, we have things living inside us). These mini dudes help keep our guts healthy and happy by helping break down food and fighting off harmful bacteria (take that, bad bacteria!). You can find these good guys hanging out in foods like yogurt or fermented vegetables (mmm kimchi).
Wait…Why Do I Need Them Again?
When you take antibiotics, they pretty much go “scorched earth” on all the bacteria in your body- even the good ones we just talked about! This can leave your digestive system flailing around trying to rebalance itself. Enter probiotics: they introduce more of those friendly bugs that were destroyed by antibiotics back into your system.
So How Much Probiotic Should I Take?
The amount of probiotic supplements you should take will vary depending on what kind it is and how many colony-forming units (CFUs) it contains. Think of CFUs like tiny probes scanning for life (alien life forms detected!) Many people recommend 10 billion CFU’s per day while on antibiotics but this isn’t one-size fits all so ultimately talk to your Doctor.
But Wait…What’s A Colony Forming Unit?!
I’m glad you asked (you’re smart)! As mentioned earlier briefly ,CFU’s refers to the ability of an individual bacterium -when cultivated- hence triggering its replication potential yielding “colonies,” which can be specified via genetic identification techniques.
What Kind of Probiotic Should I Take?
The market is filled with options that each contain their own specific strains of probiotics. But which one to choose? Here’s a few popular and effective strain types:
- Lactobacillus acidophilus: A classic – this type specifically aids digestion in the small intestine
- Bifidobacterium bifidum: Optimized for helping keep stomach bacteria at bay
- Saccharomyces boulardii: Not to be outdone by names alone, S. Boulardii is yeast-based and helps prevent infections from worse bacteria
So Many Options…Which One Do I Choose?!
Ultimately you should speak to your Doctor
or a registered dietician (they know good gut health) or take what floats your boat (proverbial or literal). An easy option many people recommend is those little Yakult drinks, they’re pretty tasty and come pre-packaged (easy peasy)!
When Should I Start Taking Them?
Start taking them as soon as you begin antibiotic therapy, continuing throughout its duration until an additional 1-2 weeks after it ends! Why before and after medication? Think of it like having guests arrive at a house party; You wanna make sure there are plenty of snacks available for everyone arriving but also ensure no one leaves hungry either so keeping the pantry full for stragglers makes sense too.
Can They Interfere With My Antibiotics Working Properly Though?
While it’s still being studied more thoroughly just remember : Give antibiotics and probiotics some space between each individual dose Otherwise effects can cause counter-intuitive consequences overall impacting well-being on multi-levels
How Long Do I Keep Taking Probiotics After Antibiotic Therapy Ends Then?
It’s generally recommended that you continue taking them about two weeks after stopping antibiotic use.
Final Editorial Note
While we made this article as genuine and informative as possible, always remember that your Doctor is going to provide you with the most tailored medical guidance for you. However we hope in reading it gave some insight into how probiotics work during antibiotic use, why they’re important,and perhaps added a laugh or two (Humor’s great too!)