Home · Books & Supplies · Handouts · Forums · Support kellymom · Search |
|
 |
Home > Breastfeeding > Common Concerns > Thrush Q&A: Preventing ThrushBy Kelly Bonyata, BS, IBCLC QUESTION: I need to take an antibiotic, and I know that this increases my risk of developing thrush. Is there anything I can do to reduce this risk? ANSWER: Yes, anytime mom or baby needs to take antibiotics, it may be helpful to use probiotics (acidophus, etc.) as a preventative. There is evidence in the medical literature that probiotics can decrease the risk of candida overgrowth (Drisko 2003, Payne 2003, Kopp-Hoolihan 2001, Lykova 2000). Antibiotics increase the risk of thrush and other yeast infections because they tend to kill off the "good" bacteria along with the bad. These good bacteria are what normally prevent an overgrowth of the yeast (candida) that is always present in our bodies. By taking probiotics, you replace some of the good bacteria in your digestive tract that are needed to prevent a yeast overgrowth.
What are probiotics?Probiotics are "friendly" or "good" bacteria that are normally present in our bodies and help to prevent the overgrowth of harmful organisms. Examples of probiotics include Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus GG, Lactobacillus plantarum, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium bifidum, etc. We often hear only about Lactobacillus acidophilus (often simply called acidophilus), which is the most common probiotic, but there are many different probiotic preparations. Bifidobacteria are the predominant bacteria in the intestinal tract of breastfed infants and thus would be a good probiotic choice for an infant or young child. It may also be helpful to take prebiotics in addition to the probiotics. Prebiotics are soluble fibers that stimulate the growth of probiotics in the gastrointestinal tract. Examples of prebiotics include inulin and fructooligosaccharides (FOS). The term synbiotic is used when probiotics and prebiotics are combined in the same product. What kind of probiotic should I look for?
DosageProbiotics are generally measured in billions of active cultures rather than milligrams (mg). The number of active cultures varies widely from brand to brand (see this table [PDF file] as an example). Various dosage recommendations range from 10-40+ billion active cultures per day. Daily maintenance dosages commonly range from 2-5 billion active cultures per day. Most sources suggest that both mom and baby take probiotics. Check your label for baby dosage - it commonly ranges from 1-3 billion active cultures per day. Many recommend that you start with a lower dosage, and increase it after a week or so. See Lactobacillus Acidophilus for more dosage information. Some ways to treat baby
When and how long?
SafetyVarious probiotics have been used safely in infants (including premature infants), children and adults for many years. Many of these probiotics are found naturally in the GI tract. Some people who take more than 1-2 billion active cultures per day experience mild GI upset (thus the suggestion to start with a lower dosage and increase after a week or so). Prebiotics: Some people experience GI effects, especially if the dosage is high. There have been reports of anaphylaxis in one person following IV administration of the prebiotic inulin, and in another person who consumed large amounts of inulin from multiple sources. These anaphylactic sensitivities are very rare. Per SK Dash in Selection criteria for probiotic supplements:
Page last modified:
05/19/2006
Additional informationAntibiotics: Can they lead to thrush? by Robert W. Steele, MD Preventing and treating the side effects of antibiotics from AskDrSears.com Identifying and Treating Thrush by Cheryl Taylor White, CBE Acidophilus from AskDrSears.com Lactobacillus Acidophilus from healthandage.com Probiotics from HealthNotes Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and Other Oligosaccharides from HealthNotes Probiotics 101 from usprobiotics.org (sponsored by the California Dairy Research Foundation)
Useful referencesYoung RJ, Huffman S. Probiotic use in children. J Pediatr Health Care. 2003 Nov-Dec;17(6):277-83. Drisko JA, Giles CK, Bischoff BJ. Payne S, Gibson G, Wynne A, Hudspith B, Brostoff J, Tuohy K. In vitro studies on colonization resistance of the human gut microbiota to Candida albicans and the effects of tetracycline and Lactobacillus plantarum LPK. Curr Issues Intest Microbiol. 2003 Mar;4(1):1-8. Dash SK. Selection criteria for probiotic supplements. Townsend Letter for Doctors & Patients. 2003 Feb-Mar. Elmer GW. Probiotics: "living drugs". Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2001 Jun 15;58(12):1101-9. Marteau PR, de Vrese M, Cellier CJ, Schrezenmeir J. Protection from gastrointestinal diseases with the use of probiotics. Am J Clin Nutr. 2001 Feb;73(2 Suppl):430S-436S. Kopp-Hoolihan L. Prophylactic and therapeutic uses of probiotics: a review. J Am Diet Assoc. 2001 Feb;101(2):229-38; quiz 239-41. Rolfe RD. The role of probiotic cultures in the control of gastrointestinal health. J Nutr. 2000 Feb;130(2S Suppl):396S-402S. Lykova EA, et al. Disruption of microbiocenosis of the large intestine and the immune and interferon status in children with bacterial complications of acute viral infections of the respiratory tract and their correction by high doses of bifidumbacterin forte. Antibiot Khimioter. 2000;45(10):22-7. Vanderhoof JA, Whitney DB, Antonson DL, Hanner TL, Lupo JV, Young RJ. Lactobacillus GG in the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in children. J Pediatr. 1999 Nov;135(5):564-8. |
