The human microbiome is the center of our health. The interplay of pro- and prebiotics contributes to the stability of the microbiome and can have a positive effect on your overall health, especially on digestion and the immune system. Now, a new class of bioactive substances is increasingly coming into focus for gut health: postbiotics. According to current studies*, these represent a promising addition to the proven agents that we can specifically provide to our gut for a strong microbiome.
But what exactly are postbiotics?
While probiotics are live bacteria that are specifically supplied to support the gut flora, postbiotics are the inactive components or metabolic products of these bacteria.
Postbiotics are therefore beneficial substances produced by probiotic (“good”) bacteria when they ferment certain food components. This also includes remnants of the bacteria themselves, which still have positive effects after their inactivation. Postbiotics improve the barrier function of the gut, can strengthen the immune defenses, and reduce inflammation. Postbiotics include, among others, short-chain fatty acids (e.g., butyrate), enzymes, cell wall fragments of the bacteria, vitamins (e.g., vitamin B and vitamin K), as well as amino acids and other bioactive molecules.
Pre-, pro-, and postbiotics – what are the differences?
Although probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics each play different roles in the body, they work hand in hand to keep the microbiome balanced and support overall health:
- Probiotics are beneficial, living microorganisms.
- Prebiotics provide the food for these microorganisms. They are not living organisms themselves but indigestible components of food – the so-called dietary fibers.
- Postbiotics are valuable end products that result from the activity of living gut bacteria and offer numerous direct health benefits.
What makes postbiotics so interesting?
- Stability: Due to their inactive form, postbiotics are particularly stable and less susceptible to environmental influences. This makes them a complementary option alongside proven probiotics.
- Range of effects: Postbiotics offer a diverse range of potential health benefits that are increasingly gaining attention in research. They optimally complement the positive effects of live probiotics.
- Tolerability: As inactive substances, postbiotics are generally well tolerated and can be a meaningful addition to probiotics, especially for people who may be sensitive to live bacteria.
With a balanced diet rich in prebiotic foods and natural sources of probiotics, the growth of good bacteria in the gut can be promoted while simultaneously stimulating the production of postbiotics. This way, you support your microbiome on all levels.
