SubscriptionsHerald PremiumViva PremiumThe ListenerBusinessDeskSectionsLatest newsNew ZealandAll New ZealandCrimePoliticsEducationOpen JusticeScam UpdateThe Great NZ Road TripHerald NOWAll Herald NOWRyan Bridge TODAYHerald NOW BusinessOn The UpWorldAll WorldAustraliaAsiaUKUnited StatesMiddle EastEuropePacificBusinessAll BusinessMarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCryptoHerald NOW BusinessMedia InsiderBusiness analysisPersonal financeKiwiSaverASB Investment HubInterest ratesTaxInvestmentEconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmploymentSmall businessBusiness reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic businessDeloitte Top 200 AwardsDeloitte Fast 50Generate wealth weeklyCompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourismOpinionAll OpinionAnalysisEditorialsBusiness analysisPremium opinionLetters to the editorPoliticsSportAll SportOlympicsParalympicsRugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugbyCricketBlack CapsWhite FernsRacingNetballSilver FernsLeagueWarriorsNRLFootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier LeagueGolfNZ OpenMotorsportFormula 1BoxingUFCBasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall FernsTennisCyclingAthleticsSailingAmerica's CupSailGPRowingLifestyleAll LifestyleViva - Food, fashion & beautySociety InsiderRoyalsSex & relationshipsFood & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookingsHealth & wellbeingFashion & beautyPets & animalsThe Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & livingEntertainmentAll EntertainmentTVMoviesMovie reviewsMusicMusic reviewsBooksBook reviewsCultureReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviewsTravelAll TravelNewsNew ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beachesInternational travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsiaRail holidaysCruise holidaysSki holidaysLuxury travelAdventure travelKāhu Māori newsEnvironmentAll EnvironmentOur Green FutureTalanoa Pacific newsPropertyAll PropertyProperty InsiderInterest rates trackerResidential property listingsCommercial property listingsHealthTechnologyAll TechnologyAISocial mediaRuralAll RuralDairy farmingSheep & beef farmingHorticultureAnimal healthRural businessRural lifeRural technologyOpinionAudio & podcastsWeather forecastsAll Weather forecastsKaitaiaWhangāreiDargavilleAucklandThamesTaurangaHamiltonWhakatāneRotoruaTokoroaTe KuitiTaumaranuiTaupōGisborneNew PlymouthNapierHastingsDannevirkeWhanganuiPalmerston NorthLevinParaparaumuMastertonWellingtonMotuekaNelsonBlenheimWestportReeftonKaikōuraGreymouthHokitikaChristchurchAshburtonTimaruWānakaOamaruQueenstownDunedinGoreInvercargillMeet the journalistsPromotions & competitionsOneRoof property listingsDriven car newsPuzzles & QuizzesPuzzlesAll PuzzlesSudokuCode CrackerCrosswordsCryptic crosswordWordsearchQuizzesAll QuizzesMorning quizAfternoon quizSports quizRegionsNorthlandAll NorthlandFar NorthKaitaiaKerikeriKaikoheBay of IslandsWhangareiDargavilleKaiparaMangawhaiAucklandWaikatoAll WaikatoHamiltonCoromandel & HaurakiMatamata & PiakoCambridgeTe AwamutuTokoroa & South WaikatoTaupō & TūrangiBay of PlentyAll Bay of PlentyKatikatiTaurangaMount MaunganuiPāpāmoaTe PukeWhakatāneRotoruaGisborneHawke's BayAll Hawke's BayNapierHastingsHavelock NorthCentral Hawke's BayWairoaTaranakiAll TaranakiStratfordNew PlymouthHāweraManawatū - WhanganuiAll Manawatū - WhanganuiWhanganuiPalmerston NorthManawatūTararuaHorowhenuaWellingtonAll WellingtonKapitiWairarapaUpper HuttLower HuttNelson & TasmanAll Nelson & TasmanMotuekaNelsonTasmanMarlboroughWest CoastCanterburyAll CanterburyKaikōuraChristchurchAshburtonTimaruOtagoAll OtagoOamaruDunedinBalcluthaAlexandraQueenstownWanakaSouthlandAll SouthlandInvercargillGoreStewart IslandMediaVideoAll VideoNZ news videoHerald NOWBusiness news videoPolitics news videoSport videoWorld news videoLifestyle videoEntertainment videoTravel videoMarkets with MadisonKea Kids newsPodcastsAll PodcastsThe Front PageOn the TilesAsk me AnythingThe Little ThingsCartoonsPhoto galleriesToday's Paper - E-editionsPhoto salesClassifiedsNZME NetworkAdvertise with NZMEOneRoofDriven Car GuideBusinessDeskNewstalk ZBSunliveZMThe HitsCoastRadio HaurakiThe Alternative Commentary CollectiveGoldFlavaiHeart RadioHokonuiRadio WanakaiHeartCountry New ZealandRestaurant HubNZME EventsPremiumTrisha PasrichaWashington Post·28 May, 2026 06:00 PM7 mins to readWhat do antibiotics really do to your gut? Photo / Washington Post illustration, iStockWhat do antibiotics really do to your gut? Photo / Washington Post illustration, iStockSkip the probiotic with your antibiotics, and bolster your microbiome with these three strategies instead.Question: My doctor prescribed me a course of antibiotics, and my friend told me to pick up a probiotic supplement to protect my microbiome. Should I do it, or am I wasting my money?