Renowned AIIMS-trained gastroenterologist Dr. Saurabh Sethi has emphasized the importance of combining probiotics with fibre-rich foods after completing a course of antibiotics to restore gut health. In a recent health advisory, Dr. Sethi explained that while antibiotics are essential for fighting infections, they also wipe out beneficial gut bacteria, leading to digestive imbalances and weakened immunity.
Why Gut Recovery Matters
“Antibiotics don’t just kill bad bugs—they also eliminate the good ones,” said Dr. Sethi, who is also trained at Harvard and Stanford. He stressed that rebuilding the gut microbiome is crucial after antibiotic use, and that probiotics alone are not a magic fix.
“Probiotics only work if you feed them with fibre,” he noted, likening probiotics to seeds and fibre to the soil they need to thrive.
Best Foods for Gut Rebuilding
Dr. Sethi recommends incorporating fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, kimchi, and miso for probiotics, alongside fibre-rich foods such as apples, berries, leafy greens, broccoli, and whole grains. These combinations help nourish the gut lining, which regenerates every 3–5 days when properly supported.
He also highlighted that the gut produces 90% of the body’s serotonin, reinforcing its role as the “second brain” and its impact on mood, immunity, and overall well-being.
Key Takeaways
- Post-antibiotic care should include both probiotics and fibre to restore gut flora.
- Fibre-rich foods act as prebiotics, feeding the good bacteria.
- A healthy gut supports mental health, immunity, and digestion.
- Low levels of vitamin D and magnesium are common in those with gut issues.
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