10 mars 2023
The family of food supplements intended to rebalance the intestinal flora has recently had new members: postbiotics, which therefore join prebiotics and probiotics. But what is it? And what are their respective roles?
The intestinal flora, also called microbiota, refers to all the microorganisms that populate our digestive system. These bacteria, viruses, parasites and non-pathogenic fungi are particularly concentrated in the colon. They form an ecosystem formed from birth and unique to each person.
For several decades, the functioning of the microbiota has been the subject of much research. “We now know that it plays a role in digestive, metabolic, immune and neurological functions”, specifies Inserm. And that it is very fragile: “the qualitative and/or functional alteration of the intestinal microbiota is a serious lead to explain certain diseases, in particular among those underpinned by autoimmune or inflammatory mechanisms”such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
Correct dysbiosis
But in a healthy individual, an unbalanced diet, alcohol abuse, stress, gastrointestinal infections, certain medications such as antibiotics can also lead to dysbiosis, or the imbalance of the microbiota. With the key to digestive discomfort, gas, bloating…
The good news is that it is possible to fix it. Starting with adopting appropriate dietary measures, which include a more balanced diet. Richer, in particular, in probiotics and prebiotics which, if they “do not necessarily treat, are still good for our body”, according to Inserm. They are also found in the form of food supplements, accompanied by postbiotics, newcomers since 2021.
Probiotics and prebiotics
Probiotics are live microorganisms. Ingested in adequate quantities, they bring a benefit to the general functioning of our body, and in particular to our immune system. “These are essentially bacteria (bifidobacteria, lactobacilli, lactococci, etc.), but also yeasts (saccharomycetes). » They are mainly found in fermented foods (yogurts, kefir, sauerkraut, etc.) or in food supplements.
Present in fiber-rich foods such as fruits (bananas, tomatoes), vegetables (artichokes, leeks, asparagus), but also garlic and onion, prebiotics are carbohydrates that cannot be digested and serve of substrate to the flora of the colon. In other words, they are molecules “on which the “good” bacteria that reside in our gut feed” and are therefore beneficial to the body.
What regarding postbiotics?
In the natural state, they designate the “metabolites secreted by probiotics and responsible for their beneficial effects (short chain fatty acids, vitamins, peptides, enzymes…)”, defines the CNRS. Clearly, it is “waste” resulting from bacterial fermentation and which is reused by the body. It is also possible to manufacture them: experts from the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) recently defined postbiotics as a “preparation of inanimate microorganisms and/or their components which confers a health benefit on the host”.
They are therefore found in the form of medicines or food supplements, to improve digestive comfort and reduce the symptoms of diarrhea in particular. Advantage over probiotics: Because they are “inanimate”, postbiotics are easier to produce and store, and have better longevity and greater safety.
To note : If, despite the adoption of suitable dietary measures and/or the use of these food supplements, the digestive discomfort persists, talk to your doctor.
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Source : Inserm, CNRS, l’International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics – Février 2023
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Written by : Charlotte David – Edited by: Emmanuel Ducreuzet
