Probiotic: Antibiotic Balance

Monday, January 15th 2007

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When Penicillin was released onto the market in the 1940's, it was called a 'wonder drug'. Since then we have seen antibiotics overused and over prescribed.

One unfortunate consequence of using antibiotics is the digestive disharmony resulting from the non-selective way antibiotics work. That is, they kill not only the detrimental bacteria causing the infection, but also many of the beneficial bacteria we need to maintain a healthy digestive tract and support a robust and responsive immune system.

70% of our immune activity occurs in our digestive tract, it is vital to maintain a positive balance of these good bacteria to help keep us on the road to positive health.

Beneficial bacteria imbalance (dysbiosis) may allow opportunistic and detrimental pathogens such as candida to become more aggressive, taking advantage of a change in the environment. This often results in other infections, candidiasis and various digestive complaints, which can simply be related back to a course of antibiotics.

Recent studies have shown the benefits of taking concentrated sources of beneficial bacteria - probiotics - in a supplemental form whilst you are still taking antibiotics. This can successfully offset many of the complications resulting from taking these drugs on their own.

Whilst many yoghurts are now promoted as containing probiotics, more often than not they are not human colonising strains or there are insufficient bacteria per serve to be therapeutically beneficial. A concentrated, broad spectrum, human colonising strain probiotic supplement is the only proven way to avoid the infection : antibiotic : thrush cycle.

One particular probiotic, Lactobacillus Reuteri, is unique amongst probiotics in that it is a strain of bacteria that has been shown to be fast colonising and resistant to most broad-spectrum antibiotics. Ask for Nature's Way Primadophilus Reuteri (Roy-ter-eye) by name.

Reproduced unabridged from the January - March 2007 issue of Health and Herbal News, with the kind permission of Health and Herbs International Ltd.

The following products are all useful for intestinal health and balance:

100% Pure Colostrum Powder
Colostrum Capsules
Internal Cleansing Program
Primadophilus
Primadophilus Bifidus
Primadophilus Child
Primadophilus for Kids
Primadophilus Junior
Primadophilus Reuteri Capsules
Primadophilus Reuteri Powder

Related health information can be found here:

Allergies
Antibiotic Use
Bad Breath
Candida
Constipation
Cystitis
Diarrhoea
Ensure healthy gut function with probiotic supplementation
Food Poisoning
Fungal Infections
Gas
Skin Problems
Tired and lacking energy?
Weak immune system?

Related articles can be found here:

Benefits of Friendly Bacteria

Colostrum supports the immune system

Probiotics & Immunity

Repair gastrointestinal damage with Colostrum

The Benefits of Primadophilus Reuteri

Why take Primadophilus?

 

If you need help or advice, you are welcome to email our naturopathic team with your health question.

Disclaimer: The health information presented here has been written for the New Zealand health consumer. It is of a general nature and is only intended to provide a summary of the subjects covered. The information is not intended to be comprehensive or to provide medical advice to you. While all care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information, no responsibility or liability is accepted, and no person should act in reliance on any statement contained in the information provided. All health ailments should be treated by a qualified health professional.

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