Have you been on a round of antibiotics this season or in the past? Usually, it’s a last resort if you have tried everything on your own, and you just can’t get to feeling better.
I’m thankful for modern medicine, and the healing it provides in getting rid of bacteria and germs that can make you feel crummy.
Antibiotics though are powerful drugs and can do a number on your gut health if you don’t take some precautions while taking them.
Let’s talk about what you can do to protect your gut and strengthen your immune system from antibiotic use.
Antibiotics affect your whole body
They diminish pretty much all bacteria it comes across. That’s good for the bad bugs, but it’s also wiping out the good guys. The ones that help you digest your food and protect your gut lining. You need the good bacteria to fight off germs, but with antibiotics, you’re getting rid of almost everything. That’s why it’s easy for your digestion system to get out of balance and cause other issues not related to what you’re trying to recover from.
Which each dose of your medication you’re wiping out a large part of bacteria throughout your whole body. Antibiotics kill the bacteria that are creating the infection but can leave your gut compromised in the process, and that can start a whole lot of other issues.
Here are some symptoms of gut imbalance from antibiotic use you can experience.
- IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
- Anxiety
- Brain Fog
- Acid Reflux
- Increased Yeast
These symptoms can last a long time even after you have stopped taking your medication.
Antibiotics can damage your liver also if you’re not careful.
Make sure your getting antioxidants, omega 3’s and adding veggies such as broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower into your diet. These help to detox the liver and also supplies nutrients to repair it while on antibiotics.
Ways To Reset Your Body After Antibiotics
Probiotics. Supplement with probiotics while you’re on an antibiotic is so important. Even though you’re wiping out all good and bacteria in your system, some good ones will survive by taking probiotics. Plain or Greek yogurt and kefir have probiotics in them also. Just watch the sugar in these. They can be high in some brands.
Continue taking probiotics at least a month after you have stopped your medication to support your gut health.
Take 2 hours BEFORE or AFTER your antibiotic.
Sugar. Cut it out altogether or greatly reduce it. Stay away from the white stuff! Candida loves sugar and simple carbs like bread and pasta, which your body will turn into sugar quickly. Cutting out sugar helps you not to have to deal with yeast issues while you’re trying to get well.
More veggies. The more veggies you eat, the more the good bacteria can multiply. This will help you to get through your round of antibiotics without compromising your gut health. Eat or drink your veggies! Juicing is like medicine in a glass and an easy way to get in a variety of veggies in your system.
Bone Broth. Who would have known that simple bone broth would be so powerful for gut healing?! Studies show it 
does! Bone broth can provide a protective barrier on your gut lining. It’s full of minerals, amino acids, and glutamine. Studies now show there is a direct link between glutamine and the repairing process of the gut lining.
The great thing is, now you can buy it at the grocery store. It comes in a carton usually, and it’s even organic. Keep it on hand!
Don’t forget to drink a lot of water also while your body is trying to reset. It helps your whole system to recover and will keep you hydrated as well.
Stay well this winter! If you do find yourself having to go on antibiotics, you now know what to do to protect your gut and other areas of your health, as you’re getting well.
Until next time,
~pat
