Why You Should Not Take Probiotics! Even After Antibiotics

Dr Michael Greger shares some concerning reasons why we should not take probiotics even if we're taking antibiotics! Fascinating new research has come to light showing the downsides to taking probiotics so let's find out why....

Studies
Post-Antibiotic Gut Mucosal Microbiome Reconstitution Is Impaired by Probiotics and Improved by Autologous FMT

Fungemia: An Unexpected Cause

Probiotics for the prevention and treatment of antibiotic-associated diarrhea: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Dr Greger's YouTube Channel

Dr Greger’s website

DISCLAIMER
This information, including but not limited to text, graphics, images, studies, audio and other material contained in this video or youtube channel are for informational purposes only. No material on this channel is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and treatment.

[amybethea]

Strange ... when my son was in the hospital on a course of antibiotics that gave him bad diarrhea ... we gave him probiotics and within two days the diarrhea cleared up. How is that for poor gut health??? I wonder what type of study this was because the real world cases I've seen show that they do in deed work. I do agree that some brands of probiotics can be irritating to the gut of some people, I have experienced that. But I have also experienced the benefits of other brands of probiotics that work quickly to correct issues like diarrhea or yeast infections.

[bryant]

The study doesn't take into account eating probiotic rich foods, like kombucha, sauerkraut, plant milk yogurts, kimchi, etc., so presumably those should be fine to consume during/after antibiotics (including the prebiotic foods listed in the video)!

[zombilif]

Still lack an explaination to why this is the case

[Rose-ph]

Gosh I’ve always taken them after a course of antibiotics! I need to rethink this I guess! 😮

[HopeSingh]

Probiotics were a big help when after a course of antibiotics I couldn't eat my usual legumes and cruciferous veg, getting bloating and cramps. A couple of days on probiotics and the problem was solved, such a relief!
I wouldn't take them with no specific reason though, and I try to feed my good bacteria well...

[ashishgup]

There is so much diversity in probiotics. Even different supplements vary wildly in their quality and mix.

And what about saurkraut and kefir etc? I wish they had a group for that too because there are so many ways to add healthy bacteria

[theUroshman]

Until...the next much bigger research study appears, and then the results will be just the opposite of this one!

[unclegeorge]

So what happened to the faecal transplant people?

[zfm]

There's also some research to suggest, contact with pets & wildlife boosts diversity of the microbiome.

[marjankrebelj]

This will save me a ton of money. Thanks. :)

[DarcyBrown]

Yikes 😩 I’ve just bought a ton of expensive probiotics

[JustViewing-]

Eat cultured veggies, which usually include both pre- AND probiotics.

[dannykirsch]

Ironically I just watch a Lou corona video where he absolutely advocates taking them. He looks amazing for his age however he does sound a bit like a salesman.

[jsanders]

A study with 21 people doesn't convince me at all.

[Kiss__Kiss]

I guess; It goes to prove, we should let our physiological side of things naturally come back to life. Thanks once again, Plant Based Science London.

[jakobw]

Instead of adding PROBIOTICS - what about adding FERMENTED FOODS after a round of antibiotics?

[JS-znzp]

A lot of probiotics contain bifidum bacteria, and that can be harmful, while the acidophilus bacteria is very beneficial.

[ceeemm]

Seems this research was.done with probiotics in pill form. Would it be the same just eating sauerkraut, kimchi etc?

[TealJadeTurquoise]

The study group was very small for the study that was cited. Larger studies of similitude might show more effect. I would take this study with a grain of salt. A literature review that shows the same outcome would be wroth looking at.

Thanks for sharing, however. It is something to think about.

[Wade]

I’ve had my gut flora wiped out by antibiotics and ended up quarantined in the hospital with C-Diff. The Dr. had prescribed three (3) different antibiotics over the course of a week and a half. Every couple of days it felt like I swallowed a ball of razor blades and they’d change the prescription. Almost two weeks in I was sitting at home in the middle of the summer with uncontrollable shivering. I went to the hospital and was admitted to the ER, then transferred to the floor. Two days in a nurse asked if I had ever heard of probiotics, she ended up getting me a bottle of Acidophilus. My symptoms subsided and I was released a day and a half after staring the course of Acidophilus. That’s my N = 1 experience, I don’t take antibiotics anymore and I drink kombucha and kefir occasionally.