Postbiotics have gained a lot of attention recently for their gut health benefits. They are the bioactive compounds which are produced by probiotic bacteria, following the consumption of prebiotics. They are also available in supplemental form for faster delivery to your digestive tract, such as Meluka Australia’s P3 Gut Builder - Triple Action Postbiotic Tonic. So, let’s take a look at why postbiotics are essential for building better gut health.
1. Better microbial diversity- The research is clear that the more diverse the gut microbiome, the better. Greater microbial diversity is essential for building better gut health and has been linked to various health benefits including improved skin health, better mental health, and reduced risk of various chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease. Postbiotics are a simple and effective strategy to boost microbial diversity and build better gut health.
2. Reduced inflammation- Many of the health benefits of prebiotics and probiotics are due to the production of postbiotics. Certain postbiotics, such as short chain fatty acids, hold particularly powerful anti-inflammatory benefits. Inflammation in the gut can result in gastrointestinal symptoms such as reflux, nausea, altered bowel motions and bloating, so reducing inflammation for better gut health is key.
3. Improved immune health- As Hippocrates once said, “health begins in the gut”. Research has certainly supported this statement, showing that better gut health is associated with better immunity. Postbiotics can stimulate production of T Cells in the intestine, which play a key role in managing the body’s immune response. They can also boost production of cytokines (anti-inflammatory messengers) which help to reduce inflammation and enhance the immune response.
4. Management of gut symptoms- Postbiotics may help in managing digestive symptoms such as bloating, diarrhoea, constipation, nausea and abdominal pain. This is due to their role in boosting microbial diversity and reducing inflammation, both of which contribute to digestive symptoms. Research has found they may be particularly beneficial for individuals with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and individuals who experience diarrhoea.
5. Better tolerated- Whilst beneficial, many individuals don’t tolerate probiotics and prebiotics well. This is due probiotics and prebiotics needing to undergo fermentation to produce postbiotics before delivering the beneficial metabolites that promote better gut health. Postbiotics like the P3 Gut Builder bypass this fermentation process, and can deliver the beneficial metabolites straight to the gut, without the unpleasant digestive symptoms.
- Chloe McLeod, Accredited Practising Dietitian.
To learn more please visit Chloe's website at www.chloemcleod.com.