When you have a bacterial infection, taking antibiotics is important and life-saving, but when they’re not needed, they can be very damaging. Sometimes, doctors recommend antibiotics as a precaution when they’re not needed, like for viral infections. This practice takes a major toll on the immune system and it teaches bacteria to resist antibiotics, which has been a major challenge for the healthcare system. Thankfully, doctors today are more aware of the risks of overprescribing antibiotics, but as a patient, you should be informed, as well.
If you’ve recently taken a course of antibiotics, your body might be feeling like it’s been through a lot. In this post, I’ll explain how antibiotics can weaken the immune system, and provide some tips to help you boost it after the fact.
How Do Antibiotics Weaken Your Immune System?
Our immune system is a collection of defense mechanisms that the body employs to fight off pathogens and prevent infections. One part of that immune system is our body’s natural microbiome including the good bacteria living in the gut. These good bacteria produce antibodies and play a large role in preventing diseases.
Antibiotics alter the gut microbiome dramatically, making it harder for the body to destroy pathogens and ward off illness. Even more concerning is early research that suggests that antibiotics may also directly impair immune function by altering the cells and making it harder for them to fight off pathogens.
This means that after taking antibiotics, it’s very possible that your body will be even more susceptible to new infections – especially viral ones. This makes boosting the immune system vitally important after you’ve taken antibiotics.
Side Effects of Antibiotics
Even the CDC cautions about the side effects of antibiotics. Here are some potential issues you may face:
- Gastrointestinal distress
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Fatigue
- Joint or muscle pain
- Allergic reactions including rashes and respiratory distress (if this occurs, see a doctor immediately)
How to Boost Your Immune System
Functional medicine is all about supporting the body’s natural functions, and that includes figuring out natural ways to boost the immune system.
Best Foods for the Immune System
Your diet offers the best way to strengthen the immune system after a course of antibiotics. If you’ve experienced a bacterial infection, immune boosting foods will give your body the nutrients it needs so badly while also supporting your weakened immune system.
- The one category your body needs most is probiotics. Antibiotics don’t discriminate – they kill both the good and bad bacteria, which takes a serious toll on your gut. Fermented foods are the best sources of probiotics. They include yogurt, kefir, and fermented pickles like sauerkraut and kimchi.
- Prebiotics are mostly fibers that are beneficial to your gut bacteria. Some of the best prebiotic foods are also delicious aromatics, like onions and garlic. Leeks, asparagus, and chicory root are also good options.
- Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant rich foods are also important, which means eating a lot of colorful fruits and vegetables as well as spices like turmeric. These foods tend to be high in fiber, as well, which is great for gut bacteria.
Drinks and Tea for the Immune System
You can also choose drinks to boost the immune system. The more liquids, the better, and this is often an easier way of introducing beneficial nutrients.
- Kombucha is a great source of probiotics.
- You can also try an immune boosting tea with echinacea and goldenseal, especially when flu season is near.
- Finally, drinking chicory beverages instead of coffee can be a great way of introducing prebiotics.
Foods to Avoid
Avoid processed foods rich in sugar or refined carbohydrates (i.e. white bread, soda, or sugary breakfast cereals). These foods can raise your blood sugar which disrupts the gut and weakens the immune system. Additionally, you’ll want to limit your alcohol consumption.
Supplements for the Immune System
You’re probably already familiar with vitamin C’s important role in helping the body resist disease, but there are a few other vitamins and minerals that can help. Consider also taking vitamin D, zinc, and red ginseng, as well, to support your immune system.
Conclusion
Antibiotic resistance stems, in large part, from the flawed approach of mainstream medicine. Instead of helping patients lead healthier lives and preventing disease, our system waits until people get sick and then prescribes medications. A strong immune system can fight off pathogens all on its own, reducing the need for antibiotics.
In naturopathy, our goal is to prevent health conditions before they crop up. If you’d like to boost your immune system after taking antibiotics or just in general, the support of a naturopath can set you on the right path.
Our approach starts with comprehensive testing to understand exactly what’s going on inside your body, so we can identify weaknesses like nutrition deficiencies or imbalances, as well as lifestyle factors that may compromise your health. From there, we can create a complete plan with immune system-boosting foods, lifestyle changes, and supplements that’ll help you feel amazing.
Whether you’re currently recovering from antibiotics or you’d like to boost your signs of a strong immune system, I’d love to help. Book a consultation to start the journey to a healthier you.