Antibiotics and Nutrition
There are a couple of nutrition related areas to be aware of regarding antibiotics. Some antibiotics will interact with certain minerals. These minerals include magnesium and aluminum, which are found in anti-acid medications. Other minerals that can interact with some antibiotics include iron, calcium and zinc. Check your supplements to see if these are included.
Some ready to drink protein shakes can be fortified with these minerals. Calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and aluminum will interact with some antibiotics and make them less effective. You will need to take these minerals several hours apart from the antibiotic.
Something else to be aware of is that antibiotics kill bacteria, both the good ones and the bad ones. Therefore, do not take an antibiotic at the same time you take something with probiotics in it like yogurt, kefir or a probiotic supplement. Your antibiotic can kill some of the good bacteria and not have enough left to kill all the bad bacteria. Take the time to read the insert that comes with your antibiotic. If you need further help, consult with your medical team, including your pharmacist. Taking your antibiotic correctly will allow your body to have the best chance to get rid of a bacterial infection.
Rene Norman, RD/LD
René Norman, RD/LD is a registered and licensed dietitian. René has provided medical nutrition therapy for cardiovascular, diabetes, obesity, celiac disease, wellness and disease prevention in a variety of settings. While working in a private practice, René enjoyed counseling individuals and families and delivering presentations to schools, community groups and corporations. Guided by evidence based practices, emerging research, non-diet approaches to weight management and nearly a decade of experience with bariatric patients, René works with bariatric patients to educate them about nutrition before and after surgery.
Rene’ graduated from the University of Tulsa and completed her dietitian internship through Oklahoma State University. Rene’ is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Oklahoma Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and has served in leadership positions in local and state dietetics associations.
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Hmm, I always heard to take antibiotics with yogurt, so that the yogurt can combat the bacterial imbalance in your gut, and reduce the side effects from abx. Never realized that it could compromise the efficacy of the antibiotics. I will have to study that further.
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