Postbiotics are similar to probiotics. They are made of whole and partial microorganisms that offer health benefits. But unlike probiotics, they are not alive.
The term "postbiotics" is somewhat controversial. Generally, a postbiotic must be "inactivated" or killed, and it must be clear how this was done. Also, the postbiotic must provide health benefits. Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium bifidum that are no longer alive would be considered postbiotics.
People use postbiotics for stomach conditions, allergies, diabetes, high blood pressure, and many other conditions, but the definition of "postbiotics" is still unclear, so there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.
Postbiotics as a group aren't regulated by the FDA. Don't confuse postbiotics with probiotics. These are not the same.
Is It Effective?
There is interest in using postbiotics for a number of purposes, but the definition of "postbiotics" is still unclear, so there isn't enough reliable information to say whether they might be helpful. Examples of microorganisms that have been used as postbiotics include inactivated Brewer's yeast, Bacillus coagulans, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Limosilactobacillus reuteri. Review these topics to learn more.
Is it Safe?
Postbiotics products might contain a wide range of ingredients. There isn't enough reliable information to know if postbiotics are safe, but some believe they might be safer than probiotics because they aren't alive. Examples of microorganisms that have been used as postbiotics include inactivated Brewer's yeast, Bacillus coagulans, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Limosilactobacillus reuteri. Review these topics to learn more.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if postbiotics are safe to use while pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
See specific microorganisms for interactions with medicines.
See specific microorganisms for interactions with herbs and supplements.
See specific microorganisms for interactions with foods.
Postbiotic products might contain a wide range of ingredients. Generally, to be called a postbiotic it must be clear how a microorganism is "inactivated" or killed, and health benefits must be confirmed. These products have been taken by mouth, applied to the skin, and inhaled through the nose. Examples of microorganisms that have been used as postbiotics include inactivated Brewer's yeast, Bacillus coagulans, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Limosilactobacillus reuteri. Review these topics to learn more.
Bacterial Lysate, Bacterial Tyndallizate, Biogenics, Cell Supernatant, Culture Supernatant, Ghost Probiotics, Heat-Inactivated Probiotics, Heat-Killed Probiotics, Heat Stabilized Probiotics, Metabiotics, Non-Viable Bacterial Products, Non-Viable Probiotics, Parabiotics, Paraprobiotics, Parapsychobiotics, Post-Biotics, Spent Culture Medium, Tyndallized Probiotics, Zombie Probiotics.
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