You’ve Heard of Probiotics and Prebiotics, But What About Postbiotics?
Introduction
The rising buzz around gut health has brought attention to probiotics and prebiotics 一 but what about postbiotics? While people are now more familiar with the former two, the latter is still relatively unknown. Simply put, postbiotics is the compound produced when you intake both prebiotics and postbiotics. In this article, we will be elaborating more about what exactly is postbiotics, its functions, health benefits, as well as where you can get it from. Follow along to understand how important our gut microbiome trio is in helping not just our gut, but also our overall health!
What Are Postbiotics?
The human gut is home to a unique, complex microbial ecosystem comprising trillions of bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses. This system is with us from infancy and plays a critical role in the development of both our innate and adaptive immune systems, helping with the maintenance of a healthy physiology (Rajakovich & Balskus, 2019).
The gut microbiome trio 一 prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics 一 have been found to play pivotal roles in promoting health and help treat diseases. Here is a brief comparison between the three (Ji et al., 2023):
| Prebiotics | Probiotics | Postbiotics | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | Non-digestible food components that feed good bacteria | Live bacteria that supports gut health | Bioactive compounds produced by probiotics during fermentation |
| Function | Act as nutrition for gut bacteria | Improve food digestion | Helps to improve overall immune system |
| Source | Fibre-rich foods such as vegetables, fruit, whole grains, etc. | Some types of fermented food such as yoghurt, kombucha, etc. | Naturally present in many dairy products |
Simply put, postbiotics are the chemical compounds produced when probiotics consume prebiotics.
How Do Postbiotics Work?
Postbiotics refer to bioactive compounds produced as a result of the fermentation process of probiotics or through the metabolic activity of beneficial microorganisms residing in the gastrointestinal tract (Prajapati et al., 2023). They are produced when probiotics consume prebiotics, and can come in the form of organic acids, peptides, enzymes, and other metabolites with potential health advantages (Peluzio et al., 2020).
Postbiotics have mainly been associated with the immune system. Some mechanisms they may possibly be involved in includes (Yeşilyurt et al., 2021):
- Reduces harmful inflammation by calming the body’s immune response
- Boosts anti-inflammatory activity to help your body heal and stay balanced
- Protects the gut lining by stopping harmful bacteria and viruses from entering
- Prevents bad bacteria from spreading into the bloodstream or other parts of the body
- Fights harmful microbes by producing natural antibacterial substances
- Activates immune sensors (like TLRs) that help detect and fight off threats
- Balances immune function by supporting a healthy mix of immune responses (Th1 and Th2)
This makes postbiotics a promising alternative for individuals who may not tolerate live probiotics well, and due to it not being alive, it has much longer shelf-life compared to probiotics as well (Rafique et al., 2023).
Health Benefits of Postbiotics
Immune system support
Postbiotics’ influence on our immune system is tied to cellular and molecular mechanisms to confer their pro-health benefits to us. Postbiotics have shown positive effects of reducing the number of disease-causing bacteria, by helping to reduce intestinal inflammation 一 ultimately lowering the infectivity of some disease-causing bacteria (Al-Habsi et al., 2024).
Anti-inflammatory properties
The immunity of humans is strongly related to the state of their intestinal flora. Infections and inflammation tend to go hand-in-hand in the body, where a state of inflammation causes one to be more susceptible to infections, while infections lead to further inflammation in the body. Postbiotics with their anti-inflammatory properties help in the homeostasis of inflammation, preventing excessive and prolonged inflammation.
Gut barrier integrity
Postbiotics help to stabilize and strengthen our intestinal mucosa barrier, which is of key importance in protecting against infections and for the inhibition of the development of pathogens. This benefit of postbiotics stems from their direct effect on the digestive system, which includes relief of symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders such as bloating, and infectious and antibiotic-related diarrhea (Szydłowska & Sionek, 2022).
Impact on the skin - Gut-Skin Axis
Our gut is the largest immune organ in the body, and houses over 80% of immune cells, and any imbalance in our gut microbiome can lead to systemic inflammation, which can present as various skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis.
Certain postbiotics 一 notably RHT3201, a heat-treated strain of Lactobacillus rhamnosus IDCC3201 一 have been found to have a therapeutic effect on atopic dermatitis, the most common type of eczema, in children. They support a better Th1/Th2 balance, prevent pathogenesis caused by large molecules in the intestine, and accelerate immune maturation (Xie et al., 2023). These mechanisms help strengthen children’s immune systems, strengthen their skin barrier, and help reduce inflammation, overall helping with eczema from the inside.
Are Postbiotics Better Than Probiotics?
While both probiotics and postbiotics are important in the maintenance of our gut health, postbiotics do have some advantages. Firstly, since postbiotics do not contain live microorganisms unlike probiotics, they have a more defined chemical composition 一 allowing for higher stability over a wider range of temperatures and pH range, and a longer shelf life (De Almeida et al., 2023b).
However, the study of postbiotics is still a growing field, thus knowledge about their benefits are still limited. Compared to probiotics, its availability in the market is also very limited. While the huge potential of postbiotics has been established, much research still needs to be conducted to get a more comprehensive list of their benefits and risks.
How to Get Postbiotics in Your Diet
Postbiotics can be found in many foods we commonly see around us 一 many dairy-based products such as yoghurt, kombucha, miso, and pickled vegetables among others! And to naturally increase the production of postbiotics in your gut, focus on nurturing the beneficial bacteria in your gut. You can eat more probiotic-rich foods, choose a fibre-rich diet, and limit your intake of ultra-processed foods.
However, if these foods are not in your usual everyday diet, postbiotic supplements are an alternative as well. Postbiotic supplements provide the beneficial compounds produced by bacteria — such as short-chain fatty acids, enzymes, and cell wall fragments — without needing to consume live bacteria or rely on the body’s ability to produce them. This makes them especially useful for individuals with dietary restrictions, gut imbalances, or sensitivities to probiotics.
MIRIQA® Dermabiotics™
MIRIQA® Dermabiotics™ is a clinically formulated supplement that helps strengthen the gut-skin axis from the inside out. Each sachet contains the powerful postbiotic RHT3201, as well as clinically studied probiotic strains like Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG and Lactobacillus Salivarius, which are known for their benefits in improving gut barrier function and reducing skin flare-ups. It also includes immune-supporting Vitamin D3, which plays a key role in calming overactive immune responses linked to atopic dermatitis. Together, these ingredients work synergistically to support the gut-skin axis and help manage eczema from within.
Who Should Consider Postbiotics?
People with digestive issues
People with digestive issues—such as bloating, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or inflammatory bowel conditions—may find postbiotics helpful as they support gut health without the need for live bacteria, potentially reducing the risk of adverse reactions.
People who cannot tolerate probiotics
Individuals who cannot tolerate probiotics, whether due to immune sensitivity, allergies, or underlying health conditions, can consider postbiotics as a safer alternative, since they are non-living and less likely to cause imbalance or infection.
Children and older adults
Postbiotics can be suitable for both children and older adults, as they are generally considered safe and stable, and can provide an additional immunity boost; however, it's important to consult a healthcare provider to ensure the formulation and dosage are appropriate for age and health status.
Final Thoughts
In summary, postbiotics are non-living microbial byproducts that play a valuable role in supporting gut health, particularly by reducing inflammation and strengthening the gut barrier. As research continues to uncover their potential, postbiotics are emerging as a promising area in digestive and immune health, with future applications likely to expand into functional foods and targeted therapies. From supplements to fortified products, the possibilities are growing. While they offer several benefits, it's always best to consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement to ensure it's appropriate for your individual needs.
MIRIQA® Dermabiotics™ is currently available in leading clinics. WhatsApp us to find out more about where you can purchase them.
Citations
Rajakovich, L. J., & Balskus, E. P. (2019). Metabolic functions of the human gut microbiota: the role of metalloenzymes. Natural product reports, 36(4), 593–625. https://doi.org/10.1039/c8np00074c
Ji, J., Jin, W., Liu, S. J., Jiao, Z., & Li, X. (2023). Probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics in health and disease. MedComm, 4(6), e420. https://doi.org/10.1002/mco2.420
Prajapati, N., Patel, J., Singh, S., Yadav, V. K., Joshi, C., Patani, A., Prajapati, D., Sahoo, D. K., & Patel, A. (2023). Postbiotic production: harnessing the power of microbial metabolites for health applications. Frontiers in microbiology, 14, 1306192. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1306192
Peluzio, M. D. C. G., Martinez, J. A., & Milagro, F. I. (2020). Postbiotics: Metabolites and mechanisms involved in microbiota-host interactions. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 108, 11–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2020.12.004
Yeşilyurt, N., Yılmaz, B., Ağagündüz, D., & Capasso, R. (2021). Involvement of probiotics and postbiotics in the immune system modulation. Biologics, 1(2), 89–110. https://doi.org/10.3390/biologics1020006
Rafique, N., Jan, S. Y., Dar, A. H., Dash, K. K., Sarkar, A., Shams, R., Pandey, V. K., Khan, S. A., Amin, Q. A., & Hussain, S. Z. (2023). Promising bioactivities of postbiotics: A comprehensive review. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 14, 100708. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2023.100708
Al-Habsi, N., Al-Khalili, M., Haque, S. A., Elias, M., Olqi, N. A., & Uraimi, T. A. (2024). Health benefits of prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics. Nutrients, 16(22), 3955. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16223955
Szydłowska, A., & Sionek, B. (2022). Probiotics and postbiotics as the functional food components affecting the immune response. Microorganisms, 11(1), 104. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11010104
Xie, A., Chen, A., Chen, Y., Luo, Z., Jiang, S., Chen, D., & Yu, R. (2023). Lactobacillus for the treatment and prevention of atopic dermatitis: Clinical and experimental evidence. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2023.1137275
De Almeida, C. V., Antiga, E., & Lulli, M. (2023b). Oral and Topical probiotics and postbiotics in skincare and dermatological therapy: A concise review. Microorganisms, 11(6), 1420. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11061420
