Medications Unmasked: Are They Healing or Harming Your Gut?

Every so often, something goes on in the body that requires more than homeopathy, essential oils, tinctures, or other natural remedies to either manage symptoms – or kill the bacterial infection completely off. 

Enter the use of medication or antibiotics…… and the many GI problems that can come as a result!!! Yes, it’s true; the medications you take can have a significant impact on your gut health.

Many of the common medications used today, such as antibiotics, kill off the bad bacteria — which is good. That’s their job. However, they also kill off all the good bacteria your gut needs to thrive—which is not so good. 

5 Medications That Demand Your Mindful Attention

• Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) – These are acid blockers used to treat peptic ulcers, manage that nasty acid reflux and help with indigestion. Usually can be spotted on those TV commercials showing people having loads of FUN while they list of side effects like nausea, vomiting, bloating, headache, the runs and other not so FUN stuff. But I digress.

  Unfortunately, PPIs are also known to reduce the diversity of the gut bacteria. Diversity is something you need and want in your gut bacteria. Sadly, this can lead to an increased chance of infections like pneumonia and my personal enemy, Clostridium difficile (also known as C. difficile or C. diff). Not sure if you are on a PPI? Some of the generic PPI names are Lansoprazole, Omeprazole (Prilosec), Dexlansoprazole, Pantoprazole, Esomeprazole, and Rabeprazole.
  

• Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) – These are the Motrin, Advil and Aleve medications you take for headaches, back pain, period cramping etc. Yes, they kill pain….but they also mess with the normal balance of those beneficial bacteria living in your gut.
  

• Antibiotics – While antibiotics are a Godsend at times —- and can be highly effective in treating serious bacterial infections —- they can be overused AND tend to be very misused. Hence asking for (or getting) a Z-Pak for the common cold. Please, stay away from antibiotics when an illness can be resolved on its own – which many can.
  

• Antacids – Beyond PPIs (specifically), antacids neutralize the acid in our stomach, which is your body's first line of defense from those bad pathogens that we ingest every day. So yes, we need stomach acid! God put it there for a reason. Also, your risk for getting that stomach bug going around the office or other infection increases if you are taking antacids regularly.
  

• Antidepressants – SSRI’s are a fat-soluble drug and one of the most popular classes of antidepressants. When you take SSRI’s you will unfortunately, also upset the gut flora. Doing so not only causes and imbalance in the gut, but it will also affect your serotonin levels. Why? Because 90% of it is made IN your gut!!!

If you've been experiencing digestive issues while taking medication, here are three tips to help minimize their impact:

• TIP #1 Stay Hydrated!
  Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your digestive system well-lubricated. Hydration can help you get relief from constipation, which is a common side effect of some medications.
  

• TIP #2 Eat High- Fiber Foods!
  Fiber is not only good food for your gut microbiome, but fiber also promotes healthy digestion and can alleviate constipation or diarrhea caused by medications. Be sure to include fiber-rich foods in your diet, such as:

  • Whole grains (porridge, whole grain bread, brown rice)

  • Nuts

  • Seeds

  • Beans

  • Lentils

  • Berries

  • Broccoli

  • Peas

  • Bananas

  • Artichokes

TIP #3 Triple Up On Your Probiotics!
Besides adding probiotic-rich foods to your diet like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, or kimchi to your meals, you’ve GOT to be taking probiotics. This is a powerful tool to help restore the balance of beneficial gut bacteria and support your digestive health. If you are overwhelmed by all the options out there, CLICK HERE to download my “Probiotics And Prebiotics Explained” resource guide where I’ll explain how they work and what brands to try.

Pro Tip: Don’t take the probiotics with your medication. Wait at least two hours after you take your prescription for best results. You’ll want to get 3x what you normally take to help support your gut flora. 

Remember, everyone's body is unique, and what works for one person may not work for another. 

Let's take care of our bodies and prioritize our digestive health while managing medications. Feel free to share any tips or experiences you've had in the comments below!