Antibiotics have saved millions of lives. The discovery and subsequent use of antibiotics has been a proven leap in medicine and healthcare. It’s important in this current day and age to have access to antibiotics.
That being said, we have abused this miracle drug. According to the CDC, 1 in 3 prescriptions for antibiotics are unnecessarily prescribed yearly. 50% of antibiotics written in outpatient settings were also deemed unnecessary. Antibiotic overuse and overprescribing has resulted in numerous poor health outcomes, antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria and increased risk of chronic disease.
So, how do antibiotics cause this much damage?
An antibiotic is designed to destroy invading microorganisms. It does a great job of this BUT an antibiotic is indiscriminate – killing good and bad bacteria alike.
Your gut microbiome – the ecosystem in your gut – is made up of 10x more bacterial cells than human cells! This microcosm of bacterial helps maintain the health of your gut lining, facilitate digestion, regulate your immune system and maintain healthy GI function.
70-80% of your immune system is housed in the gut. Thus, poor gut health = poor immune health.
This is why maintaining a healthy gut is vital in preventing chronic disease, including cancer. The health of our gut microbiome impacts cancer risk, treatment effectiveness and rates of cancer recurrence.
It is vital to find a middle ground with antibiotics. Work with a qualified practitioner or functional medicine doctor to determine the necessity of your antibiotic use. Is this prescription just for a cold that your body can handle on its own? Is there an alternative form of treatment that may also be effective?
There will be times, however, where the use of an antibiotic will be necessary. In this circumstance, it is important to repair your gut after the antibiotic.
I recommend taking a quality multi-strain probiotic, consuming foods rich in prebiotics, consuming a low sugar whole foods diet and consuming nutrients that help in gut repair. You may also benefit from digestive enzymes as your gut recovers.
Got questions? Send me a message and I would be happy to help!