The human gut contains over 400 different species of micro-organisms. Fortunately, this microflora can be kept in balance by ensuring just two types are dominate: Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria.

Poor dietary choices, excessive alcohol, antibiotics and pregnancy are just some of the factors that may cause a disturbance in our normal intestinal flora.

Antibiotic administration may result in the destruction of much of the healthy intestinal flora leading to possible intestinal disturbances such as:

• Diarrhoea
• Nausea
• Intestinal discomfort
• Flatulence

Antibiotics are medications that kill or stop the growth of bacteria. They are administered to you when you are suffering from a bacterial infection. Antibiotics do not discriminate between the good and bad bacteria in our guts, and therefore will kill or inhibit the growth of both good and bad bacteria. It is recommended that while you are on a course of antibiotics to also take a medical strength probiotic to help replenish and maintain the levels of good bacteria in your gut.

Studies have shown the benefits of probiotics in association with antibiotics:

• One clinical trial showed a significant reduction in the occurrence of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea in children given a probiotic formula which included Bifidobacterium.
• A double-blind controlled study involving 740 patients showed that Lactobacillus is an effective prophylactic against antibiotic-associated diarrhoea in adults. The patients who received both antibiotics and Lactobacillus did not develop diarrhoea.

If you are taking an antibiotic it is recommended to take a probiotic twice a day, at least two hours away from the antibiotic dose, so as to minimise the amount of probiotics that are killed by the antibiotics. If you have just finished a course of antibiotics, a probiotic such as Inner Health Plus may help replenish the good bacteria levels in your gut.

References

1. Edlund C, Nord CE. Effect on thgew human normal microflora of oral antibiotics for treatment of urinary tract infections. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. 2000;46 Suppl: 41-48
2. Correa NB, Peret Filho LA, Penna FJ, Lima FM, Nicoli JR. A randomized formula controlled trial of Bifidobacterium lactis and Streptococcus thermophilus for prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in infants. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2005 May-Jun;39(5):385-9.
3. Ahuja MC, Khamar B. Antibiotic associated diarrhoea: a controlled study comparing plain antibiotic with those containing protected lactobacilli. J Indian Med Assoc. 2002 May;100(5):334-5.
4. Bruce AW, Reid G. Probiotics and the urologist. Can J Urol. 2003 Apr;10(2):1785-9.
5. Salminen SJ, Gueimonde M, Isolauri E. Probiotics that modify disease risk. J Nutr. 2005 May;135(5):1294-8.
6. Alexander G, Gueimonde M, Isolauri E. Method of action, clinical application and toxicity data. J Adv Med, Vol 3, No. 3. Fall 1990.
7. Probiotic Identity Card: Bifidobacterium lactis BI-07. Flora Fit. Rhodia Probiotics. Version 6-D-04.