Should you try to build up immune system after antibiotics? And how?!

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Is it true that after antiobiotics it can weaken your immune system? Has anyone got any tips on how to boost your immune system after taking some for a bacterial infection?

I think live natural yoghurt is supposed to be good, and other things with live cultures such as kefir and saurkraut.

Thank you, has anyone else found that after a course of antibiotics their immune system is weakened or is it sometimes ok?

Kefir, sauerkraut and a good quality probiotics like BioKult

TMI but my DH was on abios for three months and I gave him a faecal transplant afterwards as it took him so long before he could digest his food. He's about to start another long course and I will do it again and a lot sooner this time.

Once the ABx are out of your system, start taking probiotics to recolonise the gut. There is no point in taking them whilst on the ABx because all bacteria are killed off.

It’s just a 5 day course of ABs I’m currently on - do you think that will do quite a lot of damage in terms of weakening the immune system or should it be ok? Reason I ask is I’m wanting to try and improve my immune system last thing I want is for it to be weakened more 🙈!

You may find this podcast useful. Antibiotics kill off a lot of "good" gut bacteria, so live cultures (greek yoghurt, keffir etc) will help replace them and a wide variety of plant-based foods (fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans, fresh herbs, spices, wholegrains) will feed the good bacteria.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/42H7azXjd5ow4PoRqQKOC6?si=iG0LdQ8_TteXr-X9DYgOIg

I take a probiotic called Optibac for general gut health, my G.P recommended it. It’s made a massive difference, I’d had several courses of antibiotics for nasty UTI’s probably due to the menopause as I’d never suffered like it before. They come in the form of sugar free gummies, I have one every day.

Cut sugar right out and go low carb for a week or two (veg but minimal bread, potatoes, rice) as you'll be more prone to thrush.

Pro biotics once you stop taking them. I had a recent lecture about this and we were told it takes a whole year for your gut to get back to normal after taking antibiotics.

I hate antibiotics for this reason. I already have a weak immune system and I don't feel my gut health is great at the best of times. I'd always take some probiotic tablets during and after a course of antibiotics (I take them for a few months after). As others have said, kefir, sauerkraut are good. Reducing sugar and white carbs helps. Lots of fibrous fruit and veg helps build up the good bacteria.

I've been rebuilding my immune system following chemo and have been advised by the oncology team to focus on eating 30 different plant foods a week.

I've been doing it for 2 years now and haven't had a cold since. It takes a bit of thought to start with but now ds can bring home a streaming cold from school and I don't catch it. Honestly, it's brilliant. 🙂

Kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi and other fermented probiotics. I make my own but if you buy them check the label - if pasteurised don't buy, they should be in the chilled section not the ordinary shelves.

It's not going to weaken your immune system. I'm immunocompromised and currently on antibiotics and it will make no difference

That’s brilliant @Meadowfinch ! Do you mind me asking for some examples of the plant foods you’ve found to bring benefits for you?

OP, I'm told the important thing is to include 30 different foods per week. It's the variety of foods, leafy veg, root veg, legumes,fruit, nuts etc. So this week, so far I've used...

Coffee, oats, mushrooms, rice, onions, tomato, lettuce, cucumber, beetroot, pear, apple, satsuma, blackberries (bottled), banana, olives, aubergine, courgette, garlic, potato, swede, carrots, peas, sweetcorn, cannellini beans, hazel, cashew & almond nuts. Two days to go.

The fruits are mostly breakfasts & snacks
Salads and soups are mostly lunch, with nuts for snacks
Veg are mostly in suppers.

It's much easier if I make a mixed veggie soup, or this week I made ratatouille on a jacket potato. 6 veg in one meal. 🙂

Thank you so much @Meadowfinch thats a great help.