A Guide To Gut Health: Understanding What Are Postbiotics

Reviewed by Anneleen Segers, PhD

Just when we think we have mastered the good gut equation, the marvels of science unveil new "biotics", commonly referred to as postbiotics, that may aid in promoting gut health. The gut microbiome is undoubtedly an extraordinary environment, providing us with numerous beneficial microbes. In addition to prebiotics and probiotics, postbiotics may also have a significant effect on our gut and overall health.

In this blog, we discuss what postbiotics are, the benefits they may confer on us, and why postbiotics may be an excellent choice for human health.

 

What Are Postbiotics?

Postbiotics have been studied for years by scientists, however, how to precisely define postbiotics may have kept things in the background for a while. Many scientists believe that postbiotics are non-viable (not live) microbial metabolites or bioactive components that are produced from metabolic processes or remnants from probiotics. Postbiotics can also contain enzymes, cell components, proteins and peptides, polysaccharides (complex carbohydrates), and short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) such as butyrate, propionate, and acetate.^1,2

Though the exact definition of postbiotics has not been universally agreed upon, the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) currently defines probiotics as "a preparation of inanimate microorganisms and/or their components that confers a health benefit on the host."³

As we learn more about the roles bacteria and postbiotics play in our gut microbiome, let's also revisit pre- and probiotics and their contribution to promoting good gut health.

 

Your Diet and the 3 P's — Probiotics, Prebiotics and Postbiotics

Prior to discussing postbiotics in our diet, let's reintroduce ourselves to two important elements that play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy gut. Let's start with probiotics, which you might already be quite familiar with.

 

Probiotics

According to the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics, probiotics are defined as "live microorganisms that, when administrated in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host".⁴ To be classified as a probiotic, certain criteria must be met. First, the quantity and variety of live microorganisms present must be well-established in the scientific community. Additionally, these microorganisms need to undergo scientific testing to confirm their ability to provide beneficial effects.⁵ Probiotics might support the immune system, gut health, may improve lactose intolerance and modulate inflammatory responses in the body to name a few.⁵

It may be beneficial to also consume fermented probiotic-rich foods as well as prebiotic-rich foods. The ISAPP shared that fermented foods are created through the activity of live microorganisms such as bacteria, mold, or yeast that have been added to foods. These 'fermented' foods, however, must retain these live organisms to be truly considered a fermented food.⁶

This means if the product is not refrigerated but rather sitting on the store's shelves, then there's are good chance the live cultures that were added to the food product are no longer viable due to the process of being heated to high temperatures. Heat even in baking may affect the viability of probiotics.⁶ Just be sure to look for live and active bacteria on the label especially when reaching for yogurt, sauerkraut, and miso.

 

Prebiotics

Most of us have the understanding that prebiotics are the fermentable, soluble dietary fiber found in certain foods that help to feed the probiotics in the gut; the fuel for keeping the probiotics well nourished. However, formally speaking they are defined as "a substrate that is selectively utilized by host microorganisms conferring a health benefit".⁷

Some dietary sources of prebiotics are Jerusalem artichokes, garlic, onions, asparagus, dried beans, and other legumes.

 

Postbiotics

By pasteurizing Akkermansia muciniphila, it turns it from a probiotic into a postbiotic. The Akkermansia company's pasteurized Akkermansia MucT™ gets to your gut more effectively and in greater quantity than live Akkermansia muciniphila products, making it the most bio-efficacious Akkermansia muciniphila supplement.*

So much to love about these three key players! But now let's take a look at pasteurization as a means of producing postbiotics.

 

The Power of Pasteurization and A. muciniphila

If you are new to the concept of pasteurized probiotics, then you will really enjoy learning more about this concept. There are advantages of pasteurization of health conferring probiotics, such as Akkermansia muciniphila. Here are some highlights that illustrate why taking a postbiotic should be on your list to discuss with your healthcare provider. Reviewing some of the points below may be just the starting point for that conversation.

 

Safety

The Akkermansia Company's strain of Akkermansia muciniphila MucT™ has been proven to be the safest form of Akkermansia through the process of pasteurization.

 

Excellent stability

Pasteurized A. muciniphila MucT™ has superior stability versus live A. muciniphila with regard to temperature, oxygen stability, shelf-life stability, and moisture.

 

Positive functionality

By pasteurizing Akkermansia muciniphila, the accessibility of the protein Amuc_1100 might be increased. This protein works with the pasteurized strain to help replenish the valuable mucus lining of your gut barrier, supporting a healthy digestive and immune system.*

 

Takeaways

In summary, though there may be some differences in aligning on the definition of postbiotics, we can agree that they play a significant role in helping to shape our microbiome and positively impact our health and wellness.

A common denominator among prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics, is that they all support the host with numerous health benefits, like supporting our immune system along with enhancing the absorption and production of key nutrients. The host and these 'biotics' are "in it together." We have a mutual relationship — we provide a nourishing gut environment for these microorganisms and they support many facts of our health.

So keep an eye out for advances that you may see in the future for the use of postbiotics, a possible expansion of classification of this group, and how postbiotics, like pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila MucT™ may come to deliver more health benefits than other health conferring microbes.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.