4 Reasons Postbiotics are Beneficial for Your Gut Health

Have you ever heard of postbiotics?

These “supplements” are essentially bioactive compounds generated during the fermentation process in the colon. They are the remaining elements of the probiotic bacteria in the body that are produced through the breakdown and digestion of nutrients. Postbiotics include metabolites, short-chain fatty acids, microbial cell fractions, functional proteins, and remaining constituents of polysaccharides. According to new research, these compounds provide various health benefits to the human body.

3 Most Common Postbiotics

1.)  Exopolysaccharides (EPS)

EPS’s are extracellular carbohydrate polymers. Put simply, it’s a large group of carbohydrate molecules. Two examples that you might find on a food label are xanthin and cellulose. Essentially, ESP acts as a protective barrier and have been found to contain antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

2.) Cellular Wall Fragments

Cellular wall fragments of probiotics are a complex group of peptidoglycan, teichoic acids, polysaccharides, and proteins, all of which are considered to be essential to the human body. Several studies have found that the cellular wall fragments play a key role in maintaining immune balance in the gut.

3.) Metabolites

Metabolites are comprised of short-chain fatty acids and vitamins that are major players in the gut-brain axis, also know as the gut microbiome. In fact, metabolites help to modulate the microbiome diversity and assist in immune as well as nervous system responses.

Ppppsssttt–if you want to learn more about your gut microbiome check out these articles.

Science-backed Health Benefits of Postbiotics

1.) Help Fight Inflammation

Research has established a clear connection between the gut and immune system. That said, postbiotics have been proven through scientific research and studies to help increase the diversity and proliferation of the microbiome, which can help combat inflammatory chronic health conditions such as IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) as well as other adverse health conditions like obesity and Type II diabetes.

2.) Help Boost the Immune System

Another benefit of postbiotics is they can have a positive impact on the immune system. Due to the fact that postbiotics help decrease inflammation in the gut, they enable the gastrointestinal tract to absorb vitamins and minerals more efficiently, which enables your immune system to fight off infection.

3.) Help Alleviate Issues Connected to Digestive Disorders

One of the biggest issues concerning digestive issues is inflammation or damage to the cells lining the stomach and intestines. Postbiotics can help prevent pain and discomfort connected to digestive disorders by binding to the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, thus inhibiting invasive pathogens from causing damage.

4.) Help Improve Cardiovascular Health

In a nut shell, studies have found that postbiotics help protect cardiovascular muscles and tissues from harmful toxins. In addition, research has discovered that postbiotics can help recover damaged tissues by 50 percent.

Overall, postbiotics propose compelling evidence to suggest that they could be a healthy alternative or adjunct to maintaining a healthy gut.

Sources:

NASM

JACQUELINE KAMINSKI