It’s amazing how in recent times the term microbiota, referring mainly to the gut, until recently used by specialists in the field, has now entered common parlance. For a specific reason: ever-increasing studies continue to confirm the fact that the health of this microcosm of “good” and “bad” bacteria that populate our gut is critical to multiple aspects of our health, ranging from proper digestion to strong immune defences to mood regulation and the agility (and longevity) of our brain. And while the importance of probiotics, and even the prebiotics that feed them, is now well known, we know little or nothing about postbiotics, organic compounds that Harvard Health defines as “the residues that remain after the body has digested both prebiotics and probiotics.”
But what exactly are postbiotics? And what role do they play in our health? We asked Jo Woodhurst, director of nutrition and education at Ancient + Brave, for which she formulated True Biome, an innovative gut health supplement that includes postbiotics in its formula. “Postbiotics are the new frontier in gut health,” the nutritionist tells us. “The more we learn about the incredible microbes that inhabit our gut, the more we understand how they affect our bodies on a systemic level. And it’s not just the gut bacteria that influence our health, but also the compounds they produce: postbiotics, which support our bodies in a variety of ways.”
What are postbiotics?
“When gut bacteria ferment the food we eat and break down fibre and plant compounds, they produce byproducts and waste substances that we collectively call postbiotics. Many of these provide benefits to our health. When our microbiome is healthy and balanced, postbiotics have a profoundly positive effect. In contrast, in dysbiosis (an imbalance between beneficial and potentially harmful gut bacteria) the production of postbiotics can be compromised, contributing to inflammation, immune system weakness and metabolic dysfunction.”
What is the difference between probiotics, prebiotics and postbiotics?
“Imagine your gut as a garden,” says Woodhurst. “Probiotics are the plants. Prebiotics are the nutrients that nourish the plants and create the ideal conditions for life to thrive. The more diverse your garden is, the more resilient, beautiful and healthy it becomes. Postbiotics are what a thriving garden produces: the oxygen released, the fruits, the way a healthy root system stabilises and influences everything around it. They are the result of a well-maintained microbiome and the means by which your gut communicates with the rest of your body. Take care of the garden and the benefits will extend far beyond the garden itself.”
In summary:
- Probiotics are the live bacteria that populate the gut
- Prebiotics are the fibre and specific plant compounds that feed these bacteria (the fuel)
- Postbiotics are what the bacteria produce when they feed on that fuel (the waste product)
