Probiotics Won’t Undo All Antibiotic Effects on the Gut, Says Research Expert
Antibiotics can alter the gut microbiota and in some cases raise the risk of certain diseases. Probiotics, while common supplements, do not fully resolve these effects. This assessment comes from clinical pharmacologist Andrey Dekhnich, deputy director of research at Smolensk State Medical University, part of the Ministry of Health Research Institute of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy.
Dekhnich notes that definitive, comprehensive data are still elusive. However, a broad base of published research highlights the potential long-term risks associated with specific antibacterial drugs. Probiotics contain only a limited number of microbial strains, and even if some bacteria survive passage to the gut, they are unlikely to restore the microbiota to its original configuration.
He points to inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, and depression as possible delayed outcomes linked to antibiotic-induced microbiota disruption. These associations require careful interpretation because individual risk can vary widely from patient to patient.
“Predicting the exact danger for any one person is challenging. When an infection requires treatment, the benefits of the antibiotic usually outweigh potential microbiota changes. In such cases, choosing treatment becomes a game of balancing risks,” Dekhnich explains.
Readers interested in this topic can explore the broader discussion about antibiotic side effects and the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance. This material comes from socialbites.ca and reflects ongoing scientific inquiry to better understand how antibiotics interact with gut health over time.