Antibiotics are medicines that save lives in bacterial infections. They kill the bacteria that cause the disease and prevent its spread, which can be important, especially in severe cases. From this article you will learn how to restore the body after antibiotics and strengthen the immune system.
Harmful antibacterial drugs
The problem with antibiotics is that they began to be abused and prescribed even when viral infections are present. But such drugs do not kill viruses.
Antibiotics not only destroy harmful bacteria, they also destroy beneficial bacteria. When chronically overused, they can disrupt the intestines, which can affect many other areas of life, including immunity, mental health, digestion, body detoxification, and can even increase inflammation.
How antibiotics affect the intestines
While antibiotics cure one disease in some situations, they also change and damage the intestinal microflora, even after a single dose.
Such drugs not only inhibit bacterial infections, they can also cause an immediate decrease in the number of beneficial bacterial strains such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. In some cases, they can also increase the number of clostridia (a harmful type of bacteria that live in the intestines).
Most antibiotics can also cause long-term changes in the bacterial flora of the intestines. In some cases, the intestines can return to normal on their own, without help. But this may take an average of four weeks after a single dose of antibiotics. If frequent doses of antibiotics are used, the intestines may experience permanent changes.
Such drugs can lead to damage to mitochondria - the energy stations of cells. Without healthy mitochondria, the entire body can weaken and lose energy.
Antibiotics used during the first few years of life have the potential to create an intestinal microbiome. This can lead to a greater likelihood of weight gain and obesity in both childhood and adulthood.
Side effects of antibiotics
Besides these invisible signs of antibiotic damage, side effects may also be more obvious, such as diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. Some people may have allergic reactions to certain types of antibiotics, such as penicillin. This is manifested by sores in the mouth or itchy rashes that may appear after the start of a course of therapy.
While antibiotics can have certain health benefits, their side effects are quite varied. Due to the fact that they destroy good bacteria as well as bad ones, they can cause long-term damaging effects. Therefore, it is very important to know how to restore balance in the body.
Conditions for maintaining a healthy intestine
Sometimes antibiotics are inevitable, it is necessary to fulfill 3 conditions in order to maintain intestinal health and minimize long-term negative effects.
- Follow the instructions. Although you may not be enthusiastic about taking antibiotics, it is important to undergo a full course of treatment in the first place. If you need to take medications, use them correctly to make sure that the bacteria you are fighting are really destroyed. If you stop ahead of time, most likely you will have to take another course of antibiotics.
- Take probiotics separately. It is worth taking drugs that restore the body - probiotics, during a course of antibiotics. Ideally, probiotics should be taken at least three hours after antibiotics. Keep in mind that there are different opinions about which strains are the best. If broad-spectrum drugs are prescribed, then a high dose of probiotics is a good way to protect the intestines.
- Maintain intestinal health. Even if you lose some beneficial bacteria during therapy while maintaining intestinal health while you are taking antibiotics, you can reduce the duration of your intestinal-related negative symptoms.
- The intake of vitamins. After antibiotic therapy and infections, the body needs vitamins to restore the body as never before. They will help increase resistance to infections, strengthen immunity.
Bifidobacteria and probiotics
Since antibiotics kill both good and bad bacteria, the most important thing is to colonize the intestines with good bacteria. The fastest way is to take a drug with bifidobacteria. Choose a broad-spectrum agent without additives. For initial recolonization, you need to take 2-3 capsules daily.
There are probiotic rich foods. They are also important. Choose fermented and fermented foods with live and active crops (such as cabbage, kombucha and kimchi). Avoid yogurt and kefir if they contain sugar - most commercial varieties of these products contain from 20 to 30 grams of sugar per serving, and this volume excludes the use of probiotic strains.
Bowel improvement
It is important to continue work on bowel restoration and healing after antibiotics. Reception of bone broth, collagen, glutamine can contribute to the fact that the barrier functions of the digestive system remain unharmed.
There are many vegetables, the use of which is also important, since fiber helps the intestines to function normally. After antibiotics, some can cause diarrhea.
Mitochondrial support
These are sources of cell energy and when our cell energies do not work well, we will not feel better. The intestine needs mitochondria to restore normal function. And also they are needed to restore the immune, digestive system and any other organs in the body.
Nutrients vital to mitochondrial function include:
- Vitamins of group B.
- Zinc.
- Magnesium.
- Antioxidants.
These nutrients are found in abundance in a balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits, healthy fats and proteins.
Pathogen Flood Prevention
When taking antibiotics, some people may be more likely to develop a yeast infection or dysbiosis. The body needs good bacteria, since pathogens can multiply rapidly. Probiotic supplements can help stop yeast growth and restore proper balance.
Another important factor for quick recovery is to exclude sugar, refined flour, cereals, and fast food. All of this contains ingredients that help bad bacteria proliferate without nourishing beneficial microorganisms.
Liver protection
If you take antibiotics frequently or several times over several years, it is also important to maintain a healthy liver. Studies have shown that these drugs are one of the most powerful drugs that damage the liver.
But this body is the largest. The liver is responsible not only for detoxification, but also for the destruction of old hormones, the production of cholesterol, the synthesis of vitamin D. This organ helps to produce digestive juices.
Without the liver, we cannot survive. Start with a diet rich in antioxidants and healthy omega-3 fats. Vegetables that have higher levels of sulfur, such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower, help the liver detoxify, but also contain nutrients that can protect it and help it recover.
Even if you need to take antibiotics, you can minimize their side effects and harm. It is enough to explore how to restore the body at home. You can do this by leading a lifestyle that promotes a healthy digestive system and cleanses the body of unwanted components and substances. The latter include refined sugars and trans fats.
Folk remedies for intestinal restoration
To restore a healthy intestinal flora and digestive function during and after a course of antibiotics, you can use folk remedies to restore the body:
- Probiotics are probiotic foods rich in beneficial bacteria, such as yogurt, kombucha or naturally fermented pickles, sauerkraut or kimchi. Take probiotics during and after a course of antibiotic treatment. Bulardi Saccharomycetes are beneficial yeast that can help with recovery.
- It is very important to take vitamins that restore the body. Any vitamin complex will do. Of course, if there is no allergy.
- Bone broth is another important product that should be used to heal your intestines.
- Avoid cold and raw foods. The advantage is given to more easily digestible dishes, such as soups and simple dishes of boiled rice, meat and vegetables.
- Prebiotics - take during and after a course of antibiotics. A lot of soluble fiber is found in foods such as peeled fruits and tuber vegetables. This creates a breeding ground for beneficial bacteria. The soluble fiber found in foods such as whole grains, beans, and indigestible vegetables should be avoided, as this will irritate the intestinal mucosa.
- Ginger - consume tea with this product. It is enough to add fresh slices to boiling water, honey and lemon. This recipe will help to establish and accelerate the digestive process.
Immune system protection
How to restore the body and protect the immune system? Ways to increase the body's resistance:
- Take fish oil. The omega-3 fats in this product reduce inflammation, and it also contains vitamins D and A. Untreated fish oil helps boost immune function.
- Vitamin D. The regular action of sunlight on your skin (without sunscreen) is the best way to get important immunomodulatory nutrition of soft tissues.
- Increase antioxidant intake by consuming fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables daily. Vitamin C significantly improves immunity in the fight against viral infections.
Doctors advice
How to restore the body after antibiotics? According to the advice of doctors, an important stage after taking antibiotics is compliance with the drinking regime and proper nutrition. Part of the therapy is a wholesome diet, which is necessary for quick and effective treatment. The daily menu should contain fermented milk products. They will improve intestinal motility, enrich it with lactobacilli and bifidobacteria.
It is useful to know how to restore energy in the body after viral infections. At night, it is useful to drink natural yogurt to colonize the intestines with beneficial bacteria and to avoid nausea after taking antibiotics. Eat fiber-rich foods. They contain dill, parsley, carrots, cabbage, apricots, beets, lettuce.
Fresh fruits and vegetables are useful for viral infections: onions, garlic, apples, bananas. To recover faster after an illness, you need protein. Its content is high in fish (halibut, cod, hake).
Support your immune system by following the points mentioned above. In addition, Chinese herbal medicine can be extremely effective in combating a variety of infections and viruses.
Consider how to restore metabolism in the body after antibiotic therapy:
- Sleep. It helps your body relax and speed up metabolism. Your body still burns calories during sleep, so you need to sleep for 7-8 hours.
- Regular schedule. Food at the same time, rise at the same time.
- Physical activity. How can you quickly restore the body? Walking, jogging or other types of exercises that are different from your usual routine.
- Limit sugar intake. Replace unhealthy sweets with fresh fruits.
- Exclude trans fats from the diet. These substances are commonly used in cooking. Donuts, cakes, cakes - these sinful goodies like to linger in our body.
- Increase the amount of water you drink. Water should be your main drink throughout the day. Any level of dehydration affects the balance of the body.
- Sunbathe. Doctors have found that people who spend more time outside the walls weigh less and are generally healthier. Sunbathe at least an hour a day (during safe hours).