Did you know that probiotics can reduce the risk of stomach problems caused by antibiotics? It’s true. Many people don’t realize that antibiotics don’t discriminate when attacking bacteria in our bodies. Sometimes, taking antibiotics can eliminate the healthy bacteria that we have living in our gut, which can result in diarrhea and nausea. Probiotics can help!

A recent review of over 82 different clinical trials in the use of probiotics by both children and adults found that probiotics can reduce the odds of experiencing diarrhea after taking antibiotics. The probiotic Lactobacillus, which is often found in yogurt and cheese, was the most commonly studied organism in this particular study.

In fact, an article recently appeared in The Journal of the American Medical Association that found that probiotics might reduce these odds by up to 42 percent. Why is this? Lactobacillus naturally produces lactic acid in the environment that it lives. This acidic environment in turn makes it difficult for harmful bacteria to grow and replicate. Pretty cool, huh?

Although the studies didn’t show whether one probiotic was better than another, the overwhelming evidence pointed to a beneficial relationship between probiotics and our bodies. Sometimes our natural balance of bacteria can be disrupted as a result of stress, infection or diet changes and this is why supplementing with a good probiotic is so important.

So how much Lactobacillus should you take per day? That depends on a few factors. Some health care providers recommend that you take about 1-2 billion CFUs (colony forming units) per day to prevent or treat a typical case of diarrhea. In fact, some health care providers recommend taking probiotics within 2 hours of taking your antibiotic. However, everyone is different, which is why it’s always important to speak with your health care provider prior to taking a new supplement.