Most of us have heard of antibiotic resistance, that is basically a form of drug resistance where a microorganism is able to withstand exposure to an antibiotic. This unfortunate trend is considered to have come about due to over-prescription and reliance on antibiotics.
Yet, long-term application and overuse of antibiotics has other major side effects, besides resistance. One of the most notable effects is their impact on the digestive tract and the balance of micro flora in the stomach and intestines.
In what ways do antibiotics damage the digestive system?
Antibiotics operate by either killing bacteria (bacteriocidal antibiotics) or by hindering bacteria from expanding (bacteriostatic antibiotics).
Unquestionably, they can be very effective in beating bacterial infections, despite the antibiotic resistance that exists. Nevertheless, as mentioned above, they do have a risk of unintended effects.
One of the leading problems with antibiotic use is that, whilst they’re created to destroy bacterial cells, they cannot be made specific to only harmful bacteria (i.e. the pathogen causing the disease). Sadly, they also eliminate the vital healthy bacteria in the body.
Friendly bacteria develop in their millions all around the body – on the skin, in openings including the mouth area, nose area and genitals and, most significantly, in the intestines of the digestive system. They perform critical functions at all of these locations, yet their main role is to guard our bodies against possible pathogens. The antibiotics are thus wrecking our bodies’ natural capacity to shield itself later on.
Just how can an imbalance of intestinal flora affect your overall health?
Healthy intestinal flora is vital for lots of physiological processes, including forming stools, maintaining a robust gastrointestinal system and producing important vitamins (such as B vitamins). Yet, they’re most critical to the effective functioning of our immune systems.
You may be surprised to find out that the key to our immune system is in our gut. As a matter of fact, seventy per cent of all antibody producing cells in your body are situated in what is known as “Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissue” or GALT. This represents the biggest group of immune cells in the body.
Imbalances of gut flora can have a variety of disagreeable side effects and manifest in lots of ways. For instance, fungi (such as Candida) and bacteria like pathogenic strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and C difficile could very well use the opportunity offered by the body’s decreased immunity and are then much better placed to advance far more easily. This is a primary reason why antibiotic programmes usually end in thrush (a fungal infection caused by Candida overgrowth).
In a similar fashion, C difficile infections have become prevalent in hospitals and nursing facilities over the last decade. The reason is, after antibiotic therapies, the C difficile can grow speedily without the usual restrictions. The bacteria manufacture unhealthy toxins that irritate and kill the cells that line the large intestine, which can lead to severe diarrhoea and internal bleeding. Various other digestive ailments and complaints are also very common, such as dysbiosis, toxic bowels and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) to name but a few.
Various studies have also noticed variations between the gut flora of overweight men and women and those of the optimum size, implying that an imbalance could possibly have an impact on your weight and/or cause it to be harder to get slimmer.
Ensuring a healthy balance of healthy and harmful bacteria
Research indicates that the injury caused by antibiotics to the gut persists for a far longer period than was formerly thought. Stanford University analysts in the United States of America analysed the beneficial gut bacteria in three fit adult women both before and after each of two cycles on the antibiotic Cipro. Following the initial round, they found that the drug decreased the population of the women’s good bacteria in the gut drastically, maybe even permanently. After the second round half a year later, they discovered that the effect was exponentially greater.
Consequently, it is best to use antibiotics only when absolutely necessary, i.e. when an infection is bad enough to result in pain and distress, or is deadly or a threat to others. They shouldn’t be relied upon as a recurring “quick fix” for minor ailments and long programmes ought to be avoided wherever reasonably possible.
If antibiotic intake is unavoidable, many people find it beneficial to supplement their diets with additional good bacteria (called probiotics), before, during and after the programme of antibiotics is completed. It’s considered that this will help to replenish the digestive tract with the friendly bacteria that the antibiotics have annihilated.
Specialist Supplements Ltd supply a selection of high 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.
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