Postbiotics
DEPostbiotika
A postbiotic is a preparation of dead microbes or their parts that still benefits your health. That is the ISAPP 2021 consensus definition. Here is the key difference from probiotics. Postbiotics contain non-living organisms or isolated microbial pieces. So they do not need to survive your gut or colonize it. Those pieces can include cell-wall fragments, teichoic acids, exopolysaccharides, secreted proteins, metabolites, and extracellular vesicles. That brings practical perks. They are more stable in products. They are safer for people with weak immune systems. And they have a defined composition. Pasteurized (heat-killed) Akkermansia muciniphila, covered separately, is one example that fits. The evidence varies a lot by preparation. Most clinical data come from heat-killed Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. The main uses studied are infant colic, allergy, and mild gut complaints. The field is young, and the rules for postbiotic health claims are still taking shape.
Last reviewed:
This definition is educational and is not medical advice, a diagnosis, or treatment. Talk to a doctor about any health decisions. Read our full medical disclaimer