Is it safe to take antibiotics and vitamins together?

While certain antibiotics and vitamins clash with potentially deadly results, other combinations can increase the effectiveness against diseases and infections. (h/t to BeansBulletsBandagesAndYou.com)

Vitamin A supports doxycycline and streptomycin against brucellosis

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease that originates in livestock. It can jump from animals to humans and spread across human populations at epidemic speeds. Biological warfare experts believe brucellosis is easy to turn into a bioweapon against civilian populations.

Healthcare providers prescribe doxycycline and streptomycin for patients with brucellosis. A 2014 study conducted by Isfahan University of Medical Sciences showed that supplementing with large amounts of vitamin A increased the effectiveness of the antibiotics.

In their experiment, the Iranian researchers used 25 times the recommended minimum dosage of vitamin A. However, consuming such large amounts of the vitamin in its animal-derived retinol form might be dangerous for humans.

To ensure the safety of the treatment, the researchers used the carotenoid form of vitamin A. Carotenoids were organic pigments found in algae, bacteria, fungi, and plants. The human body tolerated the plant-based form of vitamin A better than it did the retinol. (Related: Self-sufficiency and self-discipline: Be practical and use your survival preps daily.)

Vitamin C improves amoxicillin’s effectiveness and prevents bacteria from gaining antibiotic resistance

Vitamin C is the go-to nutrient for people who are ill. However, even its antioxidant prowess cannot achieve much against bacterial infections by Helicobacter pylori in the stomach – unless it works alongside an antibiotic.

The conventional treatment method for H. pylori infections consists of amoxicillin and another substance that decreases the acid production of the stomach. Researchers at the National Cancer Institute found that the effectiveness of this therapy greatly improved if the patients took copious amounts of vitamin C as well.

Furthermore, a 2005 experiment by the Federal University of Minas Gerais indicated that massive doses of ascorbic acid prevented Pseudomonas aeuruginosa from developing antibiotic resistance. The results showed that kanamycin, streptomycin, and tetracyclines retained their effectiveness against future cases of respiratory disease caused by the bacteria if these antibiotics were taken alongside vitamin C.

On the other hand, ascorbic acid did not get along with chloramphenicol. Treatments using this antibiotic failed more often if the patient took the vitamin as well.

Instead of taking antibiotics, take vitamin D to boost the immune system

You may choose to forego the use of pharmaceutical drugs altogether and strengthen your immune system with vitamin D instead.

Vitamin D performs many functions in the human body. Perhaps its most important role is to support the immune system. A robust immune response ensures that a person will not fall prey to disease.

Many people do not get enough of this vitamin each day. The deficiency gets worse during winter due to the colder temperatures and weaker amounts of sunlight that help the body produce vitamin D. Due to the lack of ultraviolet light and other sources of the nutrient, their immune system weakens, rendering them more vulnerable to illnesses.

As such, preppers and survivalists need to make sure they get enough vitamin D for their immune system. It holds doubly true during times when there is not much in the way of sunlight.

For those who want to use antibiotics and vitamins together, remember to avoid general supplements. One of the nutrients in a multivitamin may interfere with the antibacterial effect. Instead, take a specialized supplement that contains only the needed vitamin and stick to that course until recovery.

Also, use the correct antibiotic and do not skimp on the dosage. That means getting a medical reference that shows the appropriate drug, dosage, and treatment period for a disease.

Sources include:

BeansBulletsBandagesAndYou.com

AdvBioRes.net