Probiotics save you from side effects of antibiotics

Probiotics save you from side effects of antibiotics

They protect the good bacteria in your gut and can save you the loosies that a course of antibiotics tends to induce in many people

Famounts rom the dahi of home remedies to the Yakult of OTC range, probiotics (PBs) have come a long way. Defined as microorganisms PBs, when administered orally in adequate , confer a health benefit on the host.
    Let us understand normal physiology. The human gastrointestinal tract is home to more than 400 diverse species of bacteria and organisms that colonize the gut, soon after our birth, and thereafter live there in harmony with man. These bugs are useful, producing essential vitamins and nutrients mandatory for normal life. In fact, the entire kitchen of activity emanating from the large intestine equals the functioning of the liver. The most apparent reason why PBs have come to occupy centre stage is their ability to reduce the incidence and severity of “gastro” disturbances associated with antibiotic (AB) therapy.
    Today, patients demand and physicians prescribe ABs far too loosely than before. Patients don’t want to wait on the mild sore throat and are worried about losing man hours, so the hurry to “get well”. Doctors, by the same token, want to be seen fixing the illness double-quick and so oblige.
    When AB enters the system, it starts destroying all living microorganisms. The drug cannot decipher the “good” (useful ones living in the colon) from the “bad” (those bacteria causing infections), and often the result is “ugly”. The primary infection improves but diarrhoea sets in.
    Not all patients have florid loose motions – some have “gas”, others have frequency and still others just complain of “tummy upset”. This often is like robbing Peter to pay Paul, whereby the gut floral population perishes in the AB onslaught. Had these very patients been pre-emptively co-treated with PBs (lactobacillus, bifidobacter, saccharomyces boulardi etc), the problem could have been prevented.
    This may seem as a time-bound episodic consequence, but frequent and long courses of ABs can result in vitamin and nutritional deficiencies, blunted immunological responses and even hormonal dysfunction. In fact, the helpful bacteria are known to metabolize indigestible products, protect from opportunistic infections and some even produce antibacterial compounds.
    Most doctors treating infective diarrhoea, especially paediatricians, always include a healthy dose of PBs and some only give PBs, which help to shorten the duration of therapy. Even when dealing with gastric infections like the stubborn H Pylori, PBs have a positive role to play.
    Research has shown how PBs downregulate over-expressed immune responses in susceptible patients (inflammatory bowel disease, IBS, asthma, allergic rhinitis and dermatitis) and help enhance immunity. Its role as an immune modulator may give an edge in providing tools for vaccination, especially in vulnerable patients (elderly, children etc) and in the immuno-compromised.
    There are so many “pros” emerging for PBs (anti-cancer, anti-lipid, etc) that fermented milk, yogurt or medicinally manufactured PBs are becoming a way of life. Every time you are given an AB, ask for a PB and reap the benefit of hum saath saath hai treatment. There are abundant commercially available preparations providing a healthy dose of bug strains.
    In reality, we need to optimize this symbiotic relationship, by utilizing pharma and nutritional intervention at the intestinal level to pack a punch from the PB. So, when you consume the next AB, have your guts full of “Tin Tin”, “Jack n Jill”, “Desi Boyz” and all other “Rockstar” friends lest you burst your “Dam 999” times.