I get this question often – “How long does it take to rebuild your gut microbiome after antibiotics?”

While almost all gut bacteria will recover after exposure to antibiotics within perhaps 1.5 months (given an optimal diet – NOT the Standard American Diet – SAD). However, at 6 months the gut still lacks nine common beneficial bacterial species, according to new research.

SEE: Recovery of gut microbiota of healthy adults following antibiotic exposure https://www.nature.com/articles/s41564-018-0257-9

Antibiotic-associated diarrhea occurs in many patients who take antibiotics. Infectious bacterium can take hold when your gut microbiome is compromised. Pathogens exploit the sugars, radicals, and oxygen occurring as a result of disruption of intestinal microbiota and the host inflammatory response. Probiotics may help tremendously…..

See: Disruption of the Gut Ecosystem by Antibiotics https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5725362/

Probiotics

After antibiotics is the only time I suggest that probiotics should be taken. Check with your doctor with what they recommend and do your research on the brand accordingly.

The supplement industry is largely unregulated. There have been many reports of illness and even death from tainted probiotics. Again, check the brand your doctor recommends!

I personally recommend fermented foods for their probiotic nature. See my article ‘The Role Of Fermented Foods In Human Health‘.

Prebiotics

NOT a prebiotic supplement! Seriously, just eat a fiber rich diet, prebiotic supplements are a waste of money.

Eating raw fruits and vegetables and eating fermented foods appear to be the best course to rebuild your healthy gut. In addition to these foods, eat plenty of prebiotic fiber-rich foods. In particular, foods that are high in soluble fiber, such as flax and chia seeds, beans and legumes, apples, oats and quinoa.

Resistant Starch

Eating foods high in resistant starch are also important as they don’t digest fully in your small intestines, and make it to your large intestines in order to feed the healthy bacteria that resides therein, and will inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Those foods are green bananas, cooked and cooled potatoes and rice (think potato salad and rice pudding), beans/legumes, and whole grains.

More in Depth on Gut Dysbiosis

If you want more detailed info on things that wreck the gut microbiome, gut dysbiosis and how to balance the healthy gut flora, read my article on colorectal cancer.

As always, if you have any questions about my content, please feel free to reach out to me directly ctiexec @ gmail

Happy recovery!

JT