Dietary and nutritional strategies for reducing disease risk associated with antibiotic-induced dysbiosis

Abstract

Abstract Antibiotic exposure is a major driver of gut microbiota dysbiosis, and its effects extend beyond transient diversity loss. Persistent alterations in microbial composition and metabolites disrupt intestinal barrier integrity, immune homeostasis, and host metabolic signaling, thereby increasing the risk of chronic diseases. Here, we review the evidence linking antibiotic-induced dysbiosis to disease susceptibility and argue that post-antibiotic recovery should target microbial functions and metabolic network restoration. We also examine a range of nutritional strategies, including dietary adjustments, prebiotics, probiotics, and bioactive nutrients, for their capacity to support beneficial commensal bacteria, restore key microbial metabolites, and enhance the gut ecosystem resilience. However, inter-individual variability in response complicates the development of universal protocols, and limited long-term clinical outcome data make it difficult to determine the clinical value of these interventions. Integrating nutritional science, microbial ecology, and precision medicine will be essential for developing effective personalized interventions.