Evidence supporting the use of: Oligosaccharide
For the health condition: Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Oligosaccharides, particularly prebiotic types such as fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and galactooligosaccharides (GOS), have been investigated as supportive agents during or after antibiotic therapy. Their primary mechanism is not as direct "alternatives" to antibiotics, but rather as adjuncts to help restore or maintain healthy gut microbiota disrupted by antibiotic use. Several studies have shown that oligosaccharides can promote the growth of beneficial bacteria (e.g., Bifidobacteria, Lactobacilli) in the gut, which may help reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and support faster microbiota recovery. However, the evidence for oligosaccharides as true alternatives to antibiotics—meaning agents that directly replace antibiotics in treating infections—is weak to nonexistent. The bulk of research focuses on their role in mitigating side effects and supporting gut health during or after antibiotic treatment, not in eradicating bacterial infections. Meta-analyses and systematic reviews highlight that, while prebiotic supplementation may reduce the incidence of some antibiotic-associated complications, they should not be viewed as substitutes for antibiotics in active infections. In summary, oligosaccharides have a scientifically supported, but limited, supportive role during antibiotic therapy—primarily for microbiota health, not as standalone alternatives for treating infections. More rigorous, large-scale clinical trials are needed to fully clarify their benefits and mechanisms in this context.
More about Oligosaccharide
More about Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Other ingredients used for Antibiotics (alternatives to)
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bacillus clausii
bacillus subtilis
berberine
black cumin
black walnut
caprylic acid
caterpillar mushroom
clove
colostrum
Coptis chinensis
turmeric
curcumin
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
garlic bulb
ginger
goldenseal
gooseberry
green tea
horseradish
Indian tinospora
honeysuckle
Lactobacillus bulgaricus
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Lactobacillus paracasei
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus reuteri
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Lactococcus lactis
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lauric acid
Lentinula edodes mycelia
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Monolaurin
oregano
oregon grape
oyster mushroom
phenolic compounds
plantain
butyric acid
rhizome
sage
shiitake mushroom
thyme
vitamin C
Wasabi
Zinc
Yellow root
papaya
Neem tree
Clerodendrum indicum
pistacia integerrima gall
paederia foetida
pau d'arco
Myrrh
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oriental arborvitae
melaleuca alternifolia
Algae
geranium
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10-Hydroxy-2-Decanoic Acid
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
3-Phenyllactic Acid
alpha-terpineol
azelaic acid
Allicin
anamu
Alchornea
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andrographolide
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Alstonia scholaris
Asteraceae
Allyl sulfide
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bee propolis
Bacillus indicus
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
betulinic acid
Butea monosperma
Brazilian peppertree
bee hive
Basidiomycota
Bacillus licheniformis
Brevibacillus laterosporus
bee products
Bombax
Borassus aethiopum
bacteria
Blue-Green Alage
Bacillus
benzyl isothiocyanate
baicalin
coconut
capric acid
Calotropis gigantea
coconut oil
carvacrol
Chinese raisintree
cinnamic acid
citral
Centipeda
chalcone
Clostridium butyricum
cinnamaldehyde
copaiba oil
Dichrostachys glomerata
European Elder
Embelia
eugenol
flavonoids
Fomes fomentarius
fungus
gallic acid
glyceryl monolaurate
Guava
garlic
golden shower tree
honey
heal-all
Houttuynia
Helicteres isora
Herb Robert
isoquinoline alkaloids
Isatis
Indian coraltree
Indian fagonia
Kefir
Lactobacillus plantarum
Litsea
lichen
lysozyme
Lactobacillus johnsonii
Lantana camara
Leptospermum scoparium
Lactobacillus
L. lactis
Lysimachia
Lauric arginate
Mushroom
Naphthoquinones
Nisin
Nigella seed
Nasturtium
Nimbidin
Oroxylum indicum
Oleuropein
Osha
Oligosaccharides
Onosma bracteatum
Phycocyanin
Propolis
Premna
polysaccharides
pagoda tree
polylysine
Paenibacillus polymyxa
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
phlorotannins
Platycodon
Paris polyphylla
Pleurotus eryngii
Physalis angulata
Petiveria
Plectranthus amboinicus
red alder
Rhus coriaria
Spilanthes
Sicklepod
Sophora
Sesbania
Spanish Needle
Streptomyces
Streptomyces cellulosae
Self-Heal
Sweet Annie
Solanum indicum
Streptomyces fradiae
Sarcandra glabra
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Streptomyces griseoflavus
saponins
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Terminalia
Thymoquinone
Tannins
Tamaricaceae
Thymol
Thaumatococcus daniellii
Tulbaghia
Trametes
Tagetes
Thiosulfinate
Tremella
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Other health conditions supported by Oligosaccharide
Allergies (food)Allergies (respiratory)
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cholesterol (high)
Colds (prevention)
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Crohn's Disease
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Fatty Liver Disease
Inflammation