antibiotics and lignans

by Addy
(Wisconsin)

Question,
I give my dog SDG lignans for her Cushings. She is now being treated with metronidazole for colitis. Can she take antibiotics while taking SDG lignans? If so, is there a time I should allow between the doses of each?

I allow 2 hours between her antibiotic and her probiotic. I was not sure if I should allow the same for her lignans.

Thank you.
Addy

My Comment:

Hi Addy

First I have to admit that I don't know that much about the use of lignans in dogs, from a practical perspective.

Lignans depends on the intestinal micro flora for the metabolism and conversion. Antibiotics alter the intestinal micro flora so this conversion can get impaired to some extent.

The question is therefore if you can give in a way that the negative effects from antibiotics will be as low as possible.

Studies about this is done in humans and alterations in the lignan conversion has been seen for many weeks and months after the treatment.

Not because of the direct effect of antibiotics on the lignans – only indirect by the antibiotics impact on the intestinal flora responsible for the “activation” of the lignans.

So, yes I can't see any reason why you shouldn't be able to use them during a course of antibiotics.

And, yes I would give it at the time where it feels best – a couple of hours after the antibiotic together with some pro-biotic supplement.

At this time, I would think the amount of micro organisms should be at the most efficient level and there fore the supplementation of the lignans should be as effective as it gets under the antibiotic treatment.

The antibiotic treatment, still have some influence. But, it would be difficult to avoid using it because of the colitis.

It would be really interesting to see some research on this in the future, to see if “my feeling” can get backed up by some clinical data.

All the best

Per Schonbeck