Antibiotics and Gluten Sensitivity

Our digestive tract is designed to absorb nutrients from the foods we eat.  The actual lining of the digestive tract is soft and delicate.  Antibiotics have the ability to harm the lining of the digestive tract due to its ability to kill off bacterial strains which help to protect our digestive system.

There are biotics, healthy bacteria which work within our colon to help break down proteins in our digestive system so we can absorb nutrients from our foods.  These biotics are allowed to thrive when we consume foods such as plant based proteins like spinach, kale, swiss chard, beets, carrots, and green leafy vegetables.  Antibiotics can harm and destroy a large amount of gut flora, making it hard for the digestive tract to absorb the necessary nutrients from our foods.

Secondly, a sensitivity to such foods like wheat and dairy can further the initial problems from antibiotics by causing excessive inflammation within the small and large intestines.  This can prevent proper absorption of minerals, prevent proper hydration, prevent proper electrolyte balance thus making someone feel light-headed, fatigued, shaky, bloated, and sick.

Gluten and dairy products are difficult enough for a healthy gut system to break down therefore take precaution if you are prescribed an antibiotic, avoid gluten and dairy products for at least 2 weeks during and after antibiotic use.