Why are probiotics preferred over antibiotics for staph aureus infections?

Answer

The main advantage of probiotics over antibiotics is that they help restore the balance of bacteria in gut, which can reduce the severity and duration of the infection, while antibiotics can kill both the good and bad bacteria, disrupting the normal balance of gut bacteria which could lead to weakened immune system, digestive problems, and other health complications. Hence, probiotics are a better treatment option for staph aureus infections than antibiotics.

Probiotic supplements with live bacteria or yeast promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, thereby hindering the growth of pathogenic microbes including Staphylococcus aureus. They are capable of regulating and improving immune function by enhancing gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) and inducing antibacterial compounds like bacteriocins. Moreover, probiotics compete with S. aureus for space, nutrients, and adhesion sites, thus limiting bacterial colonization and invasion. Antibiotics, on the other hand, destroy gut microbes indiscriminately, hence causing dysbiosis, antibiotic resistance, and impairing immune defense. Use of probiotics reduces the likelihood of these complications.