Postbiotics

You've heard all about probiotics and prebiotics, but the new research on the biotic block is going into postbiotics and they are proving to be health-giving stars.

- Lisa Guy

Most people are familiar with the many health benefits probiotics and prebiotics have to offer, but many haven't I heard of a new member of the biotic family called postbiotics. It is time you were introduced to this family member and discover just what they can do for you.

The difference between pro-, pre- and postbiotics

Your microbiome is the home to trillions of gut bacteria. Probiotics are the "friendly" bacteria that colonise your digestive tract. A healthy balance of these beneficial bacteria is vital for good health and wellbeing, and is especially important for supporting the immune system and improving digestion. Prebiotics, on the other hand, are what feed the probiotics. Prebiotics help probiotics to grow and thrive in the gut. You get prebiotics from certain fibre-rich foods such as legumes, whole grains, and a variety of vegetables. These soluble dietary fibres aren't digested in the small intestine - instead they're fermented by bacteria in the large intestine.

The by-product or "waste product" of this fermentation process in your gut is the production of postbiotics. These functional bioactive compounds have been found to have an abundance of important health benefits. When you supplement with probiotics and prebiotics, the end goal is to get these health-promoting postbiotics. Unlike probiotics and prebiotics, postbiotics aren't found in foods - they're naturally produced when you feed your good bacteria.