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Many requests to discuss this topic again:
Our healthy gut microbes are very sensitive to antibiotics. Historically, medical practitioners have embraced antibiotics as a first line therapy for infectious disease. Unfortunately, we have over utilized them for perceived bacterial infections and for infectious diseases that time will heal in most cases. Bacterial ear infections are classic examples of time equals healing 70% of the time when a child is over the age of 2 years.
The science: When antibiotics are used they travel all over the body and kill all susceptible microbes. Unfortunately, the healthy microbes in the gut are killed as well. The post antibiotic phase can be associated with the growth of unhealthy microbes in place of the previously healthy ones. As their numbers multiply, they exert metabolic and physiologic effects on the host and promote disease.
Current data is showing that over time repeated antibiotic treatments are associated with autoimmune disease, allergy and intestinal permeability.
THOUGHTS:
1) Avoid antibiotic use unless necessary. Find a physician that is conservative with antibiotic use and explains the scenario necessitating use in your child.
2) Use Probiotics when antibiotics have to be used. Keep the probiotic dose 2 hours away from the antibiotic therapy. Use the probiotics for 2 weeks after the antibiotics are completed.
3) Eat foods that are fermented. Try sauerkraut, pickles, kefir, miso soup, tempeh, etc...
4) Eating a whole food, anti inflammatory diet with limited dairy and flour/sugar based foods will promote a robust immune system that will prevent infectious illness thus avoiding possible antibiotic use.
5) Consider using immune boosting herbs at the first sign of illness to reduce the severity and duration. Ask your physician for recommendations and dosing. I like Herbs for Kids - Deep Immune Support. I usually use it for the 3-7 days of average illness time.
Less is more when it comes to antibiotics!
Dr. M
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