Flourishing Flora

How prescription medication can affect your microbiome

Thrive with diversity

Trillions of cells that live on our skin and line our gastrointestinal and urogenital tracts must be diversified and in balance to keep us fit. Woodlands and jungles thrive when several plant species populate the environment, so goes it for our microflora.

Naturopathic Medicine exists to strengthen and encourage optimal health. It is a practice that addresses the fundamentals of disease. It honours and cooperates with the healing power of nature. 

If you seek a caring professional who is a registered naturopathic doctor in Guelph with a functional medicine approach, you’ve come to the right place.

Dr. Laura M. Brown, is a registered naturopathic doctor with a functional medicine approach. She focusses on stimulating the body’s natural mechanisms to repair damage and rebuild health. A HeartMath® Certified Practitioner and a level 2 Certified Gluten Free Practitioner, she holds the designation of ADAPT Trained Practitioner from Kresser Institute, the only functional medicine and ancestral health training company.

What drugs affect the microbiome?

Drugs can alter the microflora. This is the main target of antibiotics – to kill bacteria. Drugs can be very helpful in dire situations and have, without doubt, saved many lives. Use of some medications can leave a wasteland of microbes behind which impacts beyond the gastrointestinal tract.

Your microbiome may be out of balance if you are currently, or have history of taking, any of the following drugs:

  • Antibiotics
  • Cancer Therapies
  • Antihistamines
  • Antidiabetic drugs
  • Anti-inflammatory drugs
  • GI disorder drugs
  • Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory drugs
  • Anti-psychotic drugs
  • Anti-coagulants
  • Hormones: estrogen, birth control, thyroid hormone
clarity in the mist