Can We Take Probiotics Instead of Antibiotics? 

A substance that inhibits the growth bacterium called an antibiotic. Antibiotics are widely used for to treat infectious diseases can lead to damage microbial environment in side the gut. However, Commercially available antibiotics are reported for various side effects (such as Rash, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting, drug fever, hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions). Side effects are extensively increasing, their is need for alternative for these infectious diseases, Probiotics can be a potential and safe alternative for antibiotics. Probiotics are live microorganism with different health benefits to the host, beneficial characters have been extensively studied and lots of product in the market. Proven benefits to animal and human health reported by various scientific reports, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are the main groups of probiotic. Well studied probiotic cultures exhibit anti-inflammatory, antiallergic and other probiotic properties. Now a days Probiotics are commonly using as a therapeutic tool. In this review we are focusing on can we replace and possible role of probiotics for treatment of various diseases (Can we take probiotics instead of antibiotics).

In 1941 Selman Waksman was firstly describe the word of antibiotic that any molecule synthesized by microbes to inhibit growth of other microbes. Probiotics are live microorganisms when administrated in adequate amount it confers health benefits to the host. The probiotic concept was coined by Elie Metschnikoff in 20th century. Their are lots of probiotic strains available and well studied but lactobacillus and befidobacteria are the most popular and used in the commercial market, certain yeast and bacillus also contribute as probiotic. For daily consumption of probiotics food need to be established in balance amount and diversity of probiotics which leads to certain benefits to maintain the normal flora. In recent study stated that probiotic consumption can lead to prevent some diseases, for example some commonly used probiotics like L. acidophilus, Bifidobacteria, L. plantarum, L. pentosus, L. lactis, L.casei, B.breve, B.longum. These bacteria are most recommended and used to prevent gut associated diseases and as oral antibiotic therapy. Probiotics can be susceptible to the majority of antibiotics. In the latter case, they can be co-administered with antibiotics in order to prevent the gastrointestinal side effects due to oral antibiotic treatment. Antibiotics or antibacterials are a type of antimicrobial agents used specifically against bacteria and are often used in treatment of microbial infections and certain parasitic infections.

Antibiotics and Its Side Effects

Antibiotics has various side effects and its varies by different class of antibiotics like Penicillin, amoxicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanate, ampicillin, piperacillin-tazobactam, nafcillin, oxacillin, Cephalexin, cefaclor, cefuroxime, ceftibuten, cefdinir, cefixime, ceftriaxone, Gentamicin, tobramycin, amikacin, Meropenem, ertapenem, doripenem, imipenem-cilastatin, Rifampin, rifabutin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, ethambutol, dapsone, Vancomycin, telavancin, Erythromycin, azithromycin (Z Pak), clarithromycin, Trimethoprin-sulfamethoxazole, erythromycin-sulfisoxazole, sulfadiazine, Tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline, Ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin (Levaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), ofloxacin (Floxin). these antibiotics can lead to cause side effects like diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting, drug fever, hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions, Rash, Renal (kidney) toxicity, hearing loss, dizziness, headache, liver toxicity, anorexia, hemolytic anemia, peripheral neuropathy, Taste alteration, photosensitivity, tooth discoloration in children < 8 years, lethargy, insomnia.

Probiotics and Its Benefits

Probiotics are derived from greek word means for life, Term of probiotics are exact apposite to the antibiotic which produce substances can promote growth of other microorganisms. Probiotics are recommended for consumption to balance microbial environment in the gut, According to WHO and FAO Probiotics are live microorganisms which when administrated in adequate amount confers health benefits to the host, Bifidobacterium and lactobacillus are the most common probiotic organisms found in the gut.

Most common beneficial effect of probiotics are balance intestinal microbial diversity, help to absorb nutrients, lactobacillus are reported to help in calcium absorption, also it produce vitamin B complex and has antagonistic activity, can produce hydrogen peroxide and other antimicrobial compound to inhibit pathogenic microorganisms, Improve lactose intolerance and reduce serum cholesterol level. And it also effective against vaginosis, Colon cancer, Heart strokes, cholesterol abnormalities and other chronic diseases.

Recent Trend in Probiotics

Microbial ecosystem is a most trending topic for the research, In that probiotics are the major area of research. The role of diet and environmental condition in the gut flora modulation is a leading topic of research. However, in the countries where there have been well planned educational programmes among consumers and health professionals, the degree of awareness has increased. The number of scientific publications on probiotics has doubled in the past three years and this recent interest has been further stimulated by several factors (i) exciting scientific and clinical findings using well documented probiotic organisms (ii) concerns over limitations and side effects of pharmaceutical agents and (iii) consumer’s demand for natural products. In fact, not only new probiotic food must be developed, but the study and development of new medications to combat diseases should be continously performed.

Can We Take Probiotics Instead of Antibiotics

Probiotics are frequently administered to humans in order to prevent the gastrointestinal side effects associated with oral antibiotic therapy. It is a well-diffused concept that the ingestion of high quantities of bacteria such as, for instance, Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium species, or of bacterial spores (Bacillus species), is able to restore the intestinal microflora following the alterations induced by antibiotics. To avoid intestinal disorders, probiotics can be rendered multidrug resistant to survive in the presence of co-administered antibiotics. Probiotics can be susceptible to the majority of antibiotics (apart from their intrinsic insensitivity) or can naturally be, or rendered, multiresistant. In the latter case, they can be co-administered with antibiotics in order to prevent the gastrointestinal side effects due to oral antibiotic treatment.