Shelf life, stability make postbiotics attractive alternative to probiotics
Probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics — we are living in the age of ‘biotics.’ But there’s one that you are likely to start hearing more about: postbiotics.
There’s growing consumer awareness of probiotics and prebiotics, with the terms listed on labels of many foods and supplements and now many countries are increasingly using them for regulation purposes. But the non-viable microorganisms and the metabolites that they produce are still unfamiliar territory for most.
Postbiotics
While there’s no official definition just yet,
“Postbiotics are functional fermentation compounds -- or let's call the metabolites or waste products of probiotics -- that can be used in combination with other nutritional components to promote health,” explained Matthew Olesiak, MD, chief medical director at SANESolution.