Will a colonoscopy damage GI health?

I’m avid about taking probiotics for gut health, and I feel great. But I have a routine colonoscopy coming up and I’m wondering if the cleansing I have to do to prep for it will wipe all the good bacteria from my gut. If so, what should I do?

Kudos to you for getting your colonoscopy—and for focusing on keeping your microbiome healthy! Unfortunately, proper preparation for this procedure typically includes taking strong laxatives, which can reduce the levels of beneficial bacteria in your gut by more than 30-fold. The good news is that it’s fairly easy to restore your gut flora quickly and painlessly. In fact, researchers from Australia report that you can bounce back in as little as two weeks.

My advice: During the prep days leading up to your colonoscopy, follow your doctor’s instructions, which will probably include discontinuing your nonprescription supplements and probiotics. The day after the test, begin taking a probiotic supplement with at least 10 billion colonyforming units (CFUs) of a variety of strains, including lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium lactis. One I like: Nature’s Way Fortify Daily Probiotic (available at drugstores). Continue taking the probiotic for 30 days— this will begin to repopulate your gut with beneficial strains.

In addition, you’ll want to add fiber-rich prebiotic foods—especially apples, legumes, onions and asparagus—to your daily diet. These foods act as “fertilizer” for the healthy new bacteria from your supplement, helping them take root and flourish in your gut. To avoid GI discomfort, cook these gut-healthy foods so they’re easier to digest. And start slow, enjoying one to two servings per day, then increasing to four per day after five days, as tolerated.