First, there were probiotics.
Then there were prebiotics.
Could postbiotics be the next big thing in gut health?
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So, what exactly are postbiotics, and are they right for you?
Heres what you should probably know, plus the best ways to get them.
What Are Postbiotics?
Your good gut bacteria work hard to keep you healthy.
it’s possible for you to get postbiotics in two different ways.
Alternatively, you might always pop a supplement.
For now, the strongest data points to postbiotics ability to improve immune and digestive health.
How does that work?
The friendly bacteria in your gut love to munch onfiber-rich prebioticsfor food.
And the more prebiotics they eat, the more they grow and multiply.
But these friendly bugs dont live forever, and when they die, they release byproducts, namely postbiotics.
So, eating prebiotic-rich foods is also key to producing more postbiotics.
Plus,probiotic-rich yogurtand kefir provide additional live bacteria that generate even more postbiotics.
Do You Need a Postbiotic Supplement?
However, supplements are not always accessible or budget-friendly.
So, should you pay up?
Postbiotic supplements are generally safe and well-tolerated, says LeBlanc Jones.
At the same time, keep in mind that postbiotic research is still in its infancy.
2021;18(9):649-667. doi:10.1038/s41575-021-00440-6
Future Market Insights.Postbiotic Supplements Market Outlook for 2024 to 2034.
2021;11(3):440. doi:10.3390/biom11030440
