Antibiotics, or antibacterials, kill bacteria and stop it from spreading. They are used in medicines against bacterial infections, and in soaps and cleaning agents.
While antibiotics kill harmful bacterias, they can also cause damage. There is concern that overusing and overproducing antibacterial products will lead over time to the evolution of resistant bacteria. This means that we will be less able to effectively combat these bacteria. Another possible danger of antibacterials are that they kill good bacteria in the body, and cause the body’s gut microbiome to become unbalanced.
Probiotics are good bacteria that help the body’s digestive system. They are in some foods, but often need to be taken in supplement form specific to each individual. Because most people are exposed to many antibacterials, they may benefit from probiotics, which can supplement the body’s gut bacteria. This impacts the digestive process, as well as the body’s overall function.