Postbiotics: An advanced version of probiotics, the future star of intestinal health

This is the 5268th article of Da Yi Xiao Hu

We are all familiar with probiotics. They are often called "intestinal guardians" that can maintain the balance of intestinal flora and improve digestive health. However, a new term "postbiotics" is quietly emerging and becoming a new favorite in the field of intestinal health. So, what are postbiotics? Why are they so popular? Let's step into the world of postbiotics and explore its mysteries.

What are postbiotics?

The International Scientific Association of Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) proposes that postbiotics are a class of preparations of inanimate microorganisms and their components that are beneficial to the health of the host. It includes inactivated probiotics, their metabolites, cellular components, etc., which can produce health benefits to the host even in an inanimate state.

The main ingredients of postbiotics include:

Inactivated probiotics

Probiotics inactivated by heat treatment, high pressure and other means still retain their active ingredients.

Bacteria components

Such as peptidoglycan and teichoic acid, which can directly act on the host immune system.

Metabolites

Short-chain fatty acids (such as butyrate, acetate), organic acids, amino acid derivatives, vitamins, etc.

What is the difference between postbiotics and probiotics?

The following table shows the differences between postbiotics and probiotics:

What are the health benefits of postbiotics?

Due to the diverse composition of postbiotics, their health benefits are also very wide, covering immune regulation, anti-inflammation, intestinal barrier protection and many other aspects. The following are the main functions of postbiotics:

01

Balance intestinal flora

Metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids in postbiotics can regulate the intestinal microecological environment from multiple perspectives:

Inhibit pathogens

Reduce the activity of harmful bacteria (such as E. coli and Salmonella).

Promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria

Provide nutrition for beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, and help them colonize.

Regulates intestinal pH

Lower the pH value in the intestines and create a suitable living environment for beneficial bacteria.

02

Enhance intestinal barrier function

Postbiotics can protect the intestine through the following mechanisms:

Promote tight junctions between intestinal epithelial cells and reduce the penetration of harmful substances.

Resist external bacterial invasion and maintain the integrity of the intestinal barrier.

Repair damaged intestinal mucosa and enhance the repair ability of the intestinal barrier.

03

Improves the immune system

The ingredients in postbiotics such as teichoic acid and short-chain fatty acids can regulate the host immune system:

Enhances immunity

Activate immune cells and enhance resistance to pathogens.

Anti-inflammatory effects

Relieve chronic inflammatory conditions by reducing the release of inflammatory factors.

Anti-allergic

Reduce the chance of allergic reactions.

04

Preventing metabolic diseases

Postbiotics are particularly effective in preventing and treating metabolic diseases:

Improve diabetes

Helps control blood sugar levels by regulating intestinal flora and promoting metabolism.

Relieve obesity

Postbiotics can regulate fat metabolism and inhibit the accumulation of fat cells.

Lowering blood lipids

Reduces low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels in the blood, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

05

Other health effects

Antioxidant

Postbiotics can scavenge free radicals and protect the host from oxidative stress.

Promotes Skin Health

Regulate skin microecology and relieve skin problems such as acne and eczema.

Improved mental health

Through the "gut-brain axis", postbiotics can affect host mood and relieve anxiety and depression.

How to obtain postbiotics?

At present, the sources of postbiotics mainly include the following:

1. Fermented foods

Many traditional fermented foods are rich in natural postbiotics, such as:

Fermented foods such as yogurt, kimchi, miso, and tempeh.

Drinks such as kombucha (tea fungus drink) and kefir.

2. Dietary fiber

Dietary fiber is the "food" of probiotics. They can be fermented in the intestines to produce postbiotics. Foods rich in dietary fiber include: fruits (such as bananas, apples), whole grains (such as oatmeal, brown rice), nuts and seeds.

3. Nutritional supplements

There are already some supplements or functional foods with added postbiotics on the market, such as products containing short-chain fatty acids or inactivated probiotics. It should be noted that the use of supplements must be carried out under the guidance of a doctor, especially for special populations.

Since postbiotics are safer than probiotics, can they be taken at will?

Compared with probiotics, postbiotics are safer. This is because postbiotics are essentially inanimate microbial components that do not have the ability to reproduce, so there is no risk of infection. For newborns, the elderly and people with weakened immunity, postbiotics are a safer choice.

However, when supplementing with postbiotics, you still need to pay attention to the following points:

1. Allergy risk

Some people may be allergic to specific ingredients in postbiotics.

2. Dosage control

Although postbiotics are relatively safe, excessive intake may cause gastrointestinal discomfort.

3. Scientific guidance

Research on postbiotics started relatively late, and there are currently no guidelines for the use of postbiotic supplements. Therefore, before taking supplements containing postbiotics, you should consult a doctor or nutritionist.

In the future, postbiotics may be able to play a greater role!

With the continuous deepening of scientific research, the application prospects of postbiotics are becoming increasingly broad. Not only in the field of intestinal health, postbiotics may also shine in the following aspects:

1. Medical field

Used to treat diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

2. Functional foods

Develop nutritious foods rich in postbiotics to meet consumers' health needs.

3. Cosmetics

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of postbiotics provide new options for skin care.

However, the research on postbiotics is still in its infancy, and there are some urgent problems to be solved. For example, the specific mechanism of action of postbiotics on host health still needs to be further explored; how to determine the optimal dose for different populations is a key issue; more large-scale clinical trials are needed to further verify the efficacy and safety of postbiotics.

In summary, as an advanced product of probiotics, postbiotics are becoming a new focus in the field of intestinal health due to their stability, safety and versatility. Although its research is still in its early stages, its potential in immune regulation, prevention and treatment of metabolic diseases, and regulation of intestinal flora cannot be ignored. In the future, postbiotics are expected to play a greater role in food, medicine, and health management, bringing more possibilities to our healthy lives!

Author: Shanghai Putuo District People's Hospital

Fang Qing Chen Xi Huang Dongping