5 COMMON MEDICATIONS THAT CAN DAMAGE YOUR GUT AND MESS WITH DIGESTION.

You know that eating the wrong foods can leave your digestion and gut health in a pretty sorry state. (We’re looking at you, sugar and refined carbs.) But those aren’t the only things that can do a number on your GI tract.

Some medications and supplements could also have an impact—and leave you nauseous, crampy, or constipated as a result. Here’s a look at 5 common culprits, plus what you can do to safeguard your stomach if you have to take them.  

3 THINGS THAT WRECK YOUR GUT HEALTH

He famously helped Gwyneth Paltrow rethink her eating habits, so it was no surprise to see heart surgeon Steven Gundry, MD, onstage at the Goop conference over the weekend. And along with admitting that he usually skips breakfast—which is crazy when you think there are coffee-avocado smoothies to be had—the renowned doctor also talked gut health. (We’re listening…)

Dr. Gundry says that finding the right bloat-free balance may be as simple as eliminating some common drugs and foods that “wreck” (his word!) your stomach. “It’s not what I tell you to eat, it’s what I tell you not to eat,” he says.

ACCORDING TO DOCTORS - YOU MAY NOT NEED TO TAKE A FULL COURSE OF ANTIBIOTICS

When you last took antibiotics, your doctor probably told you to “complete the course”—that is, take the pills for the length of time prescribed, even if you felt better before the end. But there’s growing evidence that this old-school approach does more harm than good. 

You might assume prescribing lengths are standardized, based on solid scientific principles. Not so, says Professor Jack Gilbert, PhD, faculty director of the Microbiome Center at the University of Chicago. “The length of time we use an antibiotic for is pretty arbitrary.” He says most doctors opt for five to 10 days, but there’s no consensus about where these figures came from.  

“They may reflect long-standing convention or be based on a manufacturer’s decision during an initial drug trial,” according to an opinion piece by infectious diseases specialist Professor Lyn Gilbert.

Related: 5 Natural Powerful Antibiotics You Should Consider

5 Natural Powerful Antibiotics You Should Consider.

Hospital antibiotics have become one of the most over-prescribed "medicines" today. As a result, people have ruined their digestive systems and ironically, have lowered their natural immunity to all types of infections in the future.

 Get rid of infections without the digestive destruction, with these five powerful natural antibiotics.

1. Garlic

Up first is the natural antibiotic garlic! Garlic has been used medicinally by cultures around the world for thousands of years. In fact, it was used in the 1700s to ward off the plague. 

Garlic possesses potent antibiotic, antiviral, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties and is able to help protect and facilitate removal of unfriendly bacteria. It is also very high in natural antioxidants that destroy free radicals, which also supports a strong immune system.

The active ingredient in garlic, allicin, is the key component to killing and warding off harmful bacteria. Crush it to activate these compounds, and eat it raw, in a warm tea or in lightly cooked food.

5 Gut Health Mistakes You May Be Making Unwittingly.

A healthy, balanced diet rich in probiotics and prebiotics is the key to developing a thriving, diverse gut colony. But you can't expect your happy and healthy microbiome to withstand the gut bombs many of us throw their way—sometimes every single day.

Here are some common enemies of your beneficial bacteria and how to protect your microbiome from harm.

The Dangers of Antibiotics - Are Antibiotics Safe and Effective?

Really informative video about the dangers of too much antibiotics. Hope you find it useful. Let us know what you think.