I am on an antibiotic right now to kill off an ear infection (Cephalexin 500MG).
I’ve been told I should eat yogurt to help repopulate my body with “good bacteria”
BS or sound idea?
I’ve had both doctors and pharmacists say that’s a good idea.
Or you can take acidophilus supplements; like eating a whole lot of yogurt at once. (Acidophilus is the culture in yogurt).
Well, here’s a BBC article on the notion of repopulating the body with “good” bacteria to help fight gastro-intestinal problems in the aged after taking antibiotics. And here it’s discussed with regard to nasal and sinus infections.
Check with your doctor.
It is actually a sound idea, as long as you eat cultured yogurt and don’t take your antibiotics at the same time of day (e.g., if you take your antibiotics in the morning, have yogurt for lunch or supper).
Essentially, antibiotics kill the beneficial flora in your intestinal tract, which is why antibiotic use can cause yeast infections (particularly in females), constipation, etc. Cultured yogurt (yogurt which contains acidophilus, etc.) replaces the poor slain flora. Other than yogurt, you can find acidophilus capsules in the refrigerator section of most health food stores - they’re also an effective way to replenish your intestinal flora. Just make sure you get the kind with an enteric coating so the flora survives the trip through your stomach acid (yogurt has that effect naturally).
Why on earth are those doctors using yoghurt if the OAPs don’t like it? We use a pro biotic powder which is tasteless and oligosaccharides (medi-fos) to feed the healthy bacteria.
IME if you’re prone to candida or the abx upset your gut, it’s a really good idea to take good bacteria. Most of the doctors I’ve seen have either thought it was a good idea or an idea which will do no harm.
Eating yogurt after taking antibiotics is also a good idea for those who suspect they may have problems with milk.
There are two types of bacteria that live in the colon - those that ferment previously undigested lactose, giving off gas, and those that digest lactose.
Once you wipe out your bacterial population, it is crucial to rebuild a population that digests lactose or you could suddenly start feeling lactose intolerance symptoms.
Yogurt is a good way of doing this, although there are several probiotic pills on the market that will also work.
Apart from the fact that it works you get to eat yogurt…yum.
My mom and sister both swear by it as a method to prevent yeast infections after a course of antibiotics. Anecdotal, I know, but what the hell. I’ve never had that particular reaction to antibiotics, so I can’t say for myself. I imagine it can’t hurt, though.