What to do After Taking Antibiotics

Revitalize Your Gut Terrain

The gut terrain is likely not something many people think about on a regular basis, but it is an important aspect of health. Particularly as gut health relates to fungal and yeast problems, it is something that must be addressed as part of the Kaufmann Diet. 

Many practitioners believe that if you have a fungal problem anywhere on or in the body, it is likely that you have yeast in the gut. Typically, the over 2-3 pounds of beneficial bacteria living in the gut can keep pathogenic yeast and fungi at bay, as these are naturally found in the gut too. When beneficial bacterial colonies are healthy, balance is maintained in the gut. Furthermore, any invading fungal organisms do not have a chance to grow and proliferate. 

That balance can be interfered with, however, if those beneficial bacteria are harmed or eliminated. This can happen in a variety of ways–-from poor diet to stress to alcohol consumption––but one of the primary ways these bacteria are damaged is via antibiotics. Antibiotics kill bacteria, mostly without any regard to what kind of bacteria they are. So yes, while antibiotics can help kill bacteria that cause infection (and this is sometimes necessary), they can also kill the bacteria in the gut that perform a variety of functions, including assisting with digestion, manufacturing certain nutrients, and enhancing immune function.

When these healthy bacterial colonies are damaged, yeasts can grow unchecked, and from there, proliferate. This is how many practitioners theorize that yeasts and fungi can create systemic problems. Given the widespread use of antibiotics, it becomes clear how the health of the gut should be a primary issue when it comes to promoting health and vitality. 

What To Do

There are a few steps to take to revitalize your gut. While this is important for all people, it is particularly important if you have taken lots of antibiotics. 

Eliminate Certain Foods From Your Diet. 

It is important to eliminate any foods from your diet that might be damaging bacteria inherent in the gut. These include processed foods laden with sugar and chemical additives, alcohol and foods that might be contaminated with fungal poisons, known as mycotoxins. Antibiotics, themselves, are mycotoxins, or poisons derived from fungi. Other foods that might be contaminated with mycotoxins are foods like corn, wheat, peanuts, and soy.  

Add Certain Foods Into Your Diet

Getting healthy fiber is important to maintaining gut health. Foods on the Kaufmann Diet that are rich in fiber are avocados, green apples, berries, broccoli, and nuts.

Eat Prebiotic And Probiotic Foods 

Probiotic foods include foods such as plain yogurt and sauerkraut, which contain beneficial bacteria, while prebiotic foods include foods like artichokes, onions, leeks, garlic, asparagus, seaweed, and flaxseeds. These foods contain types of fiber such as inulin that help promote beneficial bacteria growth.

Supplement With Probiotics Gut-Healing Nutrients

Supplementing with high-quality probiotics is important, of course, but as with all supplements, these are best used in tandem with a  healthy diet and regimen. For some, it may be beneficial to start with a loading dose of probiotics, and then lower your dosage following the initial loading period. Other supplements that may be beneficial for healing the gut are glutamine and zinc but do your own research before incorporating these nutrients into your regimen.