Treatment FAQ

what should eat after an antibiotic treatment

by Dr. Isadore Waters Sr. Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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What to eat during and after taking antibiotics

  • Probiotics. They can help to reduce some of the side effects of antibiotics, such as bloating and diarrhea. While...
  • Prebiotics. Prebiotics are food for the beneficial bacteria that live in the gut microbiome. Feeding the beneficial...
  • Fermented foods. Fermented foods are good sources of beneficial bacteria. All fermented...

Eat Fermented Foods
Fermented foods are produced by microbes and include yogurt, cheese, sauerkraut, kombucha and kimchi, among others. They contain a number of healthy bacterial species, such as Lactobacilli, which can help restore the gut microbiota to a healthy state after antibiotics.
Oct 19, 2017

Full Answer

What should you eat before taking antibiotics?

Eating foods with probiotics such as bananas yogurt certain types of cheese even pickles. also you should be eating fiber rich food like pears, bananas, avocado oranges, most things that are whole grain apples are good too and you know just fruits in general vegetables, beans and Grains and nuts, drinking a lot of water is also important because certain antibiotics as well as some of the foods you're eating leads to dehydration also probably the best fluid you can put into your body right ...

How much should I eat before taking antibiotics?

Taking antibiotics at the incorrect time may also increase your chance of developing antibiotic resistance. Should your antibiotics be taken before or after food? In some cases, taking antibiotics whilst eating a meal may help to reduce stomach issues from certain antibiotics such as amoxicillin and doxycycline. Nevertheless, this approach won ...

What is the best diet to follow when taking antibiotics?

What to Eat

  • Foods high in insoluble fiber
  • Cruciferous vegetables (such as cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and broccoli), turnips, beets, carrots, cabbage
  • Raw vegetables
  • Fried or greasy foods
  • Fatty foods (such as mayonnaise or fatty meats)
  • Spicy foods
  • Whole wheat, wheat bran, wheat cereals
  • Rye
  • Unnatural oils (such as margarine, Olean, or Olestra)

More items...

Can I eat any food after taking antibiotics?

Yoghurt, or yogurt, is probably the most famous probiotic food, and it certainly is one the best foods to eat after taking antibiotics. Milk is transformed into yogurt through a fermentation process that uses live probiotic bacteria such as Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus.

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What should you not eat after antibiotics?

Foods that must be avoided while on antibiotic treatment include grapefruit, foods rich in calcium, and alcohol. Grapefruit contains compounds known as furanocoumarins, which interfere with how the liver and intestines break down the medicine and filter out toxins.

When should I eat after antibiotics?

As a general rule, medicines that are supposed to be taken on an empty stomach should be taken about an hour before a meal, or 2 hours after a meal. Forgetting these instructions on rare occasions is unlikely to do any harm, but taking these medicines with food regularly may mean they don't work.

How do I balance my body after antibiotics?

A healthy diet combined with probiotic supplements can balance your gut's good bacteria by replenishing what is killed off by antibiotics, both during and after a course of antibiotics. They can also prevent the most common side effect: antibiotic-associated diarrhea.

Why should you not eat after antibiotics?

Impact of Food to Antibiotics Because the breakdown enzymes are not functioning properly, the antibiotics stay in your body for longer and the level in your bloodstream may become too high. This increases your chance of experiencing side effects from the medication.

What helps your stomach after antibiotics?

How can I help my gut bacteria to recover after antibiotics?Take probiotics. The clinical evidence for the benefits of taking probiotics during and after antibiotic use is confusing. ... Make the most of prebiotics. ... Eat like a hunter-gatherer. ... Reduce stress. ... Exercise.

Can you eat eggs with antibiotics?

Eggs from hens treated with antibiotics cannot enter the food supply until they are totally safe.

How long should you wait to eat yogurt after taking an antibiotic?

Dairy products include milk as well as butter, yogurt, and cheese. After taking an antibiotic you may need to wait for up to three hours before eating or drinking any dairy products. Grapefruit juice and dietary supplements containing minerals like calcium may also work dampen the effect of antibiotics.

How long does an antibiotic stay in your system?

Antibiotics start working right away after a person takes them. Each antibiotic may stay in the body for different lengths of time, but common antibiotics such as amoxicillin and ciprofloxacin stay in your system for about 24 hours after taking the last dose.

How long does it take for your stomach to recover from antibiotics?

After an antibiotic course, recovery of the gut microbiome can take some time. In general, after short-term antibiotic use (between five and ten days), studies have observed it can take at least one to two months for most bacterial groups to recover to pre-antibiotic levels2,3,13–16.

Should you eat yogurt when taking antibiotics?

Eating yogurt or taking a so-called probiotic when you have to take antibiotics may help prevent the diarrhea that often accompanies antibiotic treatment. That's the conclusion of a study just published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

What reduces the side effects of antibiotics?

How to Reduce the Side Effects of AntibioticsTake Antibiotics as Directed. Some antibiotics should be taken only with water. ... Take All of the Antibiotic Prescription. You should finish the entire prescribed course of antibiotics, even if your symptoms clear up. ... Abstain from Alcohol. ... Take a Probiotic. ... Talk to Your Doctor.

Can I take antibiotics after eating banana?

“There's a few antibiotics which milk can block the absorption,” Dr Walker said. “This is because the calcium in milk binds to the drug in the gut and reduces absorption.” Bananas shouldn't be mixed when taking ACE inhibitors, which lower blood pressure and treat heart failure.

How to restore gut microbiome after antibiotics?

People can do this by eating probiotics, prebiotics, fermented foods, and fiber. Probiotics and prebiotics can also help to reduce the side effects of antibiotics.

How to prevent antibiotic related diarrhea?

that taking probiotics is a safe way to prevent antibiotic-related diar rhea. Antibiotics can kill the beneficial bacteria in probiotics, so it is advisable to take the two a few hours apart. After finishing a course of antibiotics, taking a mixture of probiotics can also help to restore balance in the microbiome.

What is the best way to bring balance back to the gut?

Prebiotics. Prebiotics are food for the beneficial bacteria that live in the gut microbiome. Feeding the beneficial bacteria before and after taking antibiotics can help to bring balance back to the gut. Some foods contain low levels of prebiotics, such as: onions. garlic.

What are probiotics? What are their functions?

Probiotics are live microorganisms commonly known as “healthy bacteria.”. They can help to reduce some of the side effects of antibiotics, such as bloating and diarrhea. While research about probiotics and antibiotics is still inconclusive, studies suggest. Trusted Source.

What are the side effects of taking antibiotics?

diarrhea. bloating. indigestion. abdominal pain. loss of appetite. These side effects may be uncomfortable, but they tend to pass quickly. Eating the right foods can help to prevent bothersome side effects and encourage healing. In this article, learn which foods to eat and which to avoid while taking antibiotics.

Is fermented food good for bacteria?

Fermented foods are good sources of beneficial bacteria. All fermented foods contain microorganisms, but some heat or filtration processes can kill the beneficial bacteria. Fermented vegetables, such as sauerkraut or pickles in jars and stored at room temperature, do not contain live cultures.

Can you eat artichokes while taking antibiotics?

People should avoid high-fiber foods while taking antibiotics, as they may affect how the stomach absorbs the medicine. However, once a person finishes the full course of antibiotics, eating fiber can help to restore the beneficial bacteria and promote proper digestion. Foods that are rich in fiber include: artichokes.

How do probiotics help your gut?

Probiotics are found naturally in foods or can be taken as high-quality supplements, and these support your gut microbiome by working in opposition to the antibiotics. Probiotics will not only reduce your risk of antibiotic-related side effects like diarrhea, but they will also keep your gut community balanced and healthy. You're better protected from disease and illness when your gut is balanced.

Do antibiotics help with infection?

Be sure to promote a healthy amount of good bacteria during and after a course of antibiotics to ensure your health isn't jeopardized. As beneficial as antibiotics are, we also need to take care when using them. Without them, we wouldn't be able to fight some serious bacterial infections, but they can cause damage if we aren't careful.

Where can I find prebiotics?

Prebiotics can be found in a range of foods, including legumes. Additional sources of resistant starch include under-ripe bananas, cooked and cooled rice, cornflour, cooked and cooled potatoes. For babies, breast milk is naturally rich in oligosaccharides.

What are prebiotics? What are their functions?

Prebiotics are compounds that help beneficial gut microorganisms grow and survive. Prebiotic foods contain complex carbohydrates that can’t be digested and dietary fibres that resist digestive processes in the stomach and small intestine.

What are probiotics?

Probiotics are foods, typically yoghurts and yoghurt drinks, that contain “good gut bacteria”: live microorganisms that can recolonise the gut or improve your gut health.

Can you take probiotics after taking antibiotics?

But people at high risk of diarrhoea after antibiotics may benefit from consuming probiotic – as well as prebiotic – foods daily. There is also emerging evidence that combining specific probiotics and prebiotics can increase the beneficial effects of both.

Can yogurt cause stomach acid?

Most yoghurts contain good bacteria but can’t survive the acidity of the stomach. The review found side-effects were common when taking antibiotics and include taste disturbances, nausea, abdominal cramping, soft stools, fever and flatulence. But people taking probiotics reported fewer side-effects, suggesting they may be helpful in countering some ...

Do probiotics grow well?

For probiotics to exert these beneficial effects, they not only have to make it to the large bowel, but once there they need the right fuel to help them grow well . That’s where prebiotics come into play – but more on them shortly.

Is yogurt a probiotic?

To be called a probiotic, the dose of microorganisms needs to be sufficient to help restore the “good” bacteria, by elbowing out the “bad bacteria”. Most yoghurts contain “good bacteria” but not all can survive the acidity of the stomach acid or the bacteria won’t grow in the bowel, so there is no probiotic benefit.

What is a probiotic?

To be called a probiotic, they must be able to resist stomach acid and digestive processes, and then be able adhere to the gut walls and grow, while not causing any issues for the gut wall. They must also be tested for safety and efficacy in controlled trials.

What are some sources of resistant starch?

Shutterstock. Additional sources of resistant starch include under-ripe bananas, cooked and cooled rice, cornflour, cooked and cooled potatoes. For babies, breast milk is naturally rich in oligosaccharides.

Is it good to take prebiotics?

Prebiotic foods are good for everyone, contain a range of nutrients and help promote a healthy bacterial gut environment. The benefits of probiotics for a range of health conditions are unclear – they’re likely to be small, and depend on what is being taken and the underlying health issues.

Can antibiotics cause nausea?

The review found side effects were common when taking antibiotics and include taste disturbances, nausea, abdominal cramping, soft stools, fever and flatulence. But people taking probiotics reported fewer side effects, suggesting they may be helpful in countering some of the side effects.

Do antibiotics kill viruses?

It’s important to use antibiotics only when needed, and definitely not for viral infections, because antibiotics can’t kill viruses such as the common cold or COVID-19.

Is yogurt a probiotic?

To be called a probiotic, the dose of microorganisms needs to be sufficient to help restore the “good” bacteria, by elbowing out the “bad bacteria”. Most yoghurts contain “good bacteria” but not all can survive the acidity of the stomach acid or the bacteria won’t grow in the bowel, so there is no probiotic benefit.

What are the best prebiotics to eat after taking an antibiotic?

Eating prebiotic foods is a vital and easy part of the post-antibiotic guide; all plant foods are beneficial, but if you’re serious about it, the hard-hitting prebiotic foods are asparagus, bananas (on the green side), garlic, leeks, onions and chicory.

Why are antibiotics lifesaving?

Antibiotics are lifesaving precisely because they eradicate bacteria – but that’s the problematic trade-off. The infection goes, but a devastated gut microbiome is left in its wake – both ‘good’ and ‘bad’ bugs are indistinguishable to the antibiotics.

What vegetables are soluble in fibre?

Boost soluble fibre by gearing your 8 fruit and veggies a day towards fibre-rich root vegetables: sweet potatoes, carrots, beetroots, turnips, squash and pumpkins or gently stewed apples and pears.

How to increase diversity of bacteria in gut?

After antibiotics, you’ll boost diversity in a big way by adding a daily portion of probiotic foods such as miso soup, olives, kvass, kefir, kombucha, live yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi and pickles (for more information on fermented foods read here ). Most people like at least one of these options – and foods such as yogurt, miso soup or pickled veggies (e.g. cucumber immersed in salt water) can easily be made at home with very little effort – or cost; a good alternative if your finances won’t stretch to a probiotic supplement.

Does the gut microbiome affect mental health?

We now also know that the gut microbiome impacts our mental health and is a vital component of our immune system. Alongside antibiotic induced diarrhoea, coming down with a dose of thrush, more colds, food sensitivities and allergies and particularly – piling on the pounds as side effects, are entirely unappealing.

Does Boulardii help with gut health?

Boulardii helps to support intestinal health in a variety of ways, including helping to prevent ‘bad’ bugs from adhering to the gut wall, so can be really useful during, and after antibiotics.

What to eat after stopping antibiotics?

Eat high-fiber foods after you stop taking antibiotics. It is important to eat foods that are rich in fiber while taking antibiotics as well as after taking antibiotics. A systematic review of 64 studies on the effects of fiber on gut microbiota found that fiber is necessary for a healthy gut. Fiber helps to balance the gut’s microflora ...

What to do while on antibiotics?

Consume probiotics. The second thing to do while on antibiotics is to take probiotics or consume foods containing probiotics. Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are beneficial for gut health. As with prebiotics, you can get probiotics from foods or supplements.

How to treat diarrhea after antibiotics?

How to Treat Antibiotics Diarrhea 1 Keep well-hydrated. It is important to drink plenty of fluids if you have diarrhea after taking antibiotics. This is important to prevent the effects of dehydration. You may need to take fluids containing electrolytes if your diarrhea is severe. 2 Eat foods that are easy to digest. Soft foods like applesauce, bananas, and rice are easy on your digestion and some contain prebiotics. Although some high-fiber foods help increase the number of probiotics in your gut, you should avoid a lot of fiber if you have diarrhea. 3 Follow the instructions. Dr. Mary Harding on Patient.info says that some antibiotics should be taken with food, whereas others should be taken on an empty stomach. Taking antibiotics as instructed will also help prevent antibacterial resistance. ( 33)

How long after taking antibiotics can you take probiotics?

( 10) To get the most benefit from probiotics, it is good to wait for around 2 hours after taking an antibiotic pill.

How to prevent antibiotics from causing bad bacteria?

At the same time, you should consume foods that are easy on your digestion and contain probiotics to prevent the side effects of taking antibiotics.

What foods help to restore gut flora?

Foods like plain yogurt, bananas, and whole-grain cereals help to boost the number of good bacteria to restore your gut flora. Although we sometimes need antibiotics to treat serious infections, they don’t discriminate between harmful and beneficial bacteria.

What are the side effects of taking antibiotics?

There are some unpleasant side effects of taking antibiotics that include gastrointestinal upset, yeast infections, and rashes.

What are some good sources of probiotics?

Probiotics: — Like prebiotics, probiotics feed good bacteria, helping them to grow and flourish. Good sources include supplements, kefir, yogurt, and milk. Yogurt and Fermented Milk — Both yogurt and fermented milk (kefir) increase the presence of Lactobacilli (a critical element of digestion) in the intestines.

How long should you wait to drink alcohol after a candida treatment?

You should avoid alcohol throughout the duration of treatment and for 48 to 72 hours after treatment ends. Sugars and Yeast — For some patients (especially women) antibiotic usage may lead to candida (yeast) infections. Avoid foods high in sugar and yeast to avoid feeding the candida organism.

What are the building blocks of gut bacteria?

Prebiotics — Prebiotics are the building blocks for healthy gut bacteria. When you ingest them, they help to make your gut a friendly place for more healthy bacteria to grow. Find them in kefir, yogurt, and even fortified cereals.

How long does it take for an antibiotic to work?

Antibiotics begin their work as soon as they enter your bloodstream. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll feel well right away. It may take a day or two before you really begin to feel better. In the meantime, discuss what you can do to control your symptoms with your doctor.

What is the natural ratio of good bacteria to bad bacteria?

The natural ratio of good bacteria to bad is set at just the right rate for both to coexist without causing you any harm. When you take antibiotics, the very drugs you take to fight off an infection also target the good bacteria in your G.I. tract, too.

Why do people stop taking antibiotics?

A lot of people stop taking their antibiotics when they feel better in order to avoid further side effects. This may lead to the infection not properly clearing, resulting in recurrence and the need for another round of medication. 3.

Can you double up on antibiotics?

Never double up on antibiotic doses, especially if you miss a dose, unless specifically directed. Taking more won’t make you feel better faster. In the case of a missed dose, simply resume at your next scheduled time and continue taking your medication until you run out. 4.

How to get rid of bacteria in gut?

Eat at least one big salad a day with a large variety of vegetables. Raw vegetables and fruits (more vegetables than fruits) should always comprise 80% of your diet. After antibiotics, following this 80% rule (with mostly vegetables) is essential to regain the proper bacterial balance in your gut. Avoid all processed sugar.

What to eat for a healthy intestinal cleanse?

Snack on produce. Eat stir-frys with lots of veggies, brown rice, quinoa, soaked and sprouted beans (be careful, may need to wait a week on these), add a little Braggs amino acids (it’s essentially a healthy soy sauce), and lots of turmeric and garlic and ginger. Shillington’s Intestinal Cleanse. Start with one a day.

What is the next step to repopulate the gut?

Probiotics are the next step to help you repopulate the gut with good bacteria. Probiotics are foods or supplements that contain beneficial bacteria. But note, probiotics are not all equal. Don’t eat flavored, sugar-filled, commercial yogurt. It will do more harm to your gut than good.

Why do we need antibiotics?

If we take an antibiotic, especially a broad spectrum antibiotic, we need to replenish the good bacteria in our gut as quickly as possible. Not only do we need it to do its daily work, we need to maintain the delicate balance between bacteria and fungi. Candida is opportunistic.

How many different species of bacteria are in the gut?

The problem is, our bodies are filled with bacteria, and those microbes are essential to our health. Our gut is home to 300-1000 different species of bacteria that help us digest our food, create and synthesize vitamins, repel invading pathogens, create neurotransmitters, and more. Antibiotics are indiscriminate killers.

What is the best way to multiply a colon?

First, you feed and house the good bacteria that remain in your colon and encourage them to multiply. They need prebiotics–raw, preferably organic, vegetables and fruits. Insoluble fiber provides food for good bacteria while giving it a structure upon which to multiply.

How to treat a swollen ear?

Days 1-5 – or as long as symptoms last: 1 80% of the diet should be raw produce, mostly vegetables. 2 Drink lots of cranberry lemonade (most should do a gallon) and eat a large salad every day (mine are 9-11 cup salads). 3 Meals should all be made at home, from scratch, with no overly refined, processed ingredients such fruit juice, white rice, or any sweetener (stevia is the exception). 4 Snack on produce. 5 Eat stir-frys with lots of veggies, brown rice, quinoa, soaked and sprouted beans (be careful, may need to wait a week on these), add a little Braggs amino acids (it’s essentially a healthy soy sauce), and lots of turmeric and garlic and ginger. 6 Shillington’s Intestinal Cleanse. Start with one a day. Build up as instructed. Take with meals. 7 Take 15 SF722 a day, 5 per meal. 8 Take 3 Undecyn, 1 each meal. 9 Take 2 FloraMend upon waking up and 2 FloraMend when before sleep. Don’t take these at the same time as the other supplements; they can weaken each other’s effect.

Why is it important to eat vegetables after antibiotics?

After antibiotics, some may experience irritable bowel or diarrhea, and fiber found in vegetables and fruits can help to restore normal bowel function . While hydration is important during sickness, it’s as equally important after.

What foods help bacteria thrive?

Sugar, refined flours, grains, and fast foods all contain junky ingredients that help bad bacteria thrive and don’t nourish good bacteria. 5. Support the Liver. If you’ve taken antibiotics frequently or several times in the course of a few years, it’s also important to support liver health.

How do antibiotics affect the gut?

How Antibiotics Affect the Gut. While antibiotics have vital health benefits in certain situations, they also alter the microbiome and can change the gut even after a single dose. ( 1, 2 ) Not only do antibiotics suppress bacterial infections, they can also cause an immediate decline in beneficial bacterial strains like lactobacillus ...

What are the benefits of taking antibiotics for strep throat?

Antibiotics are medications that have life-saving uses for bacterial infections, such as strep throat and UTIs. They kill the bacteria that cause the infection and prevent it from spreading , which can be important, especially for serious cases or in those who have compromised immune systems. Do you struggle with bloating, gas, constipation, ...

How long does it take for a bacterial infection to return to normal after taking antibiotics?

While the gut may return to normal on its own without assistance, in many cases, it can take an average of four weeks after a single dose ...

Why are antibiotics used in the first few years of life?

Antibiotics used in the first few years of life have the potential to create gut microbiomes that are drastically different from those who didn’t have them as children. This can lead to a greater likelihood of weight gain and obesity, both in childhood and the adult years. ( 10 )

Why do antibiotics cause yeast infections?

This is because the body needs good bacteria to keep these naturally occurring bugs in check, and when that gets wiped out, the bad bacteria can rapidly proliferate.

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