It seems like just yesterday when we discovered the wonderful microbiome and its impact on our health. Since then, the numerous benefits of probiotics became mainstream and hit the mass market. More recently, we have been introduced to the concepts of prebiotics and postbiotics to complement the action of probiotics, but some confusion remains.
Let’s dive into the amazing universe of the ‘biotic’ family of terms (probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics and postbiotics) which coalesce around microbes or their substrates.[i]
Probiotics
Probiotics are live non-pathogenic microorganisms which have demonstrated beneficial effects on human health.[ii] They consist of lactic acid bacteria, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species, and Saccharomyces boulardii yeast and they are regulated as dietary supplements and foods.[iii] In order to be considered a probiotic, the microorganisms need to survive stomach acid and bile after their ingestion so they can make it all the way to the colon and be able to survive in that environment.
The results of many clinical trials have demonstrated that probiotics can shape the intestinal microbiota leading to the promotion of overall wellness and potential control of multiple bowel diseases.[iv] Probiotics exert their beneficial effects through several mechanisms, including modifying the host immune response, lowering intestinal pH, and decreasing colonization and invasion by pathogenic organisms.[v]
Prebiotics and Synbiotics
Prebiotics function as food source for probiotics. They consist of dietary fibers with a well-established positive impact on the intestinal microflora.”[vi] The synergistic combinations of probiotics and prebiotics is called synbiotics.[vii]
Postbiotics
In 2021, the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics defined postbiotics as: “A preparation of inanimate microorganisms and/or their components that confers a health benefit on the host.”[viii] This definition might seem surprising for many as cell viability is usually considered one of the most important factors for a probiotic to confer a health benefit, and probiotic supplements are formulated to retain efficacious levels of live microbes in the product through the end of its shelf life. However, live cells coexist with non-viable cells even in a fresh, overnight culture of the strain, and to an even greater extent at the end of shelf life.[ix]
It has also been recognized for a long time that non-viable microorganisms, their cell components, and their metabolites can also exert a positive impact on health.[x] Some postbiotics preparations also retain microbe-produced substances, such as metabolites, proteins, or peptides, which may contribute to their overall health effect.[xi] Postbiotics’ documented pleiotropic effects include their immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-cancer properties.[xii]
- Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CECT 8145
A good example of postbiotic is the heat-killed form of the probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CECT 8145 (h-k Ba8145). It has been found to improve anthropometric adiposity biomarkers, namely waist circumference, waist circumference/height ratio, and Conicity index, especially in abdominally obese individuals.[xiii] An increase in the gut Akkermansia genus appears as a possible mechanism involved.
Conclusion
As our understanding of the complex gut microbiota equilibrium environment evolves, so must our rhetoric and paradigm to become more inclusive. Consequently, we must part from Probiotics versus Postbiotics narrative to embrace the whole ‘biotic’ family.
[i] Vinderola G, Sanders ME, Salminen S. The Concept of Postbiotics. Foods. 2022 Apr 8;11(8):1077. doi: 10.3390/foods11081077. PMID: 35454664; PMCID: PMC9027423.
[ii] Kim SK, Guevarra RB, Kim YT, Kwon J, Kim H, Cho JH, Kim HB, Lee JH. Role of Probiotics in Human Gut Microbiome-Associated Diseases. J Microbiol Biotechnol. 2019 Sep 28;29(9):1335-1340. doi: 10.4014/jmb.1906.06064. PMID: 31434172.
[iii] Williams NT. Probiotics. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2010 Mar 15;67(6):449-58. doi: 10.2146/ajhp090168. PMID: 20208051.
[iv] Kim SK, Guevarra RB, Kim YT, Kwon J, Kim H, Cho JH, Kim HB, Lee JH. Role of Probiotics in Human Gut Microbiome-Associated Diseases. J Microbiol Biotechnol. 2019 Sep 28;29(9):1335-1340. doi: 10.4014/jmb.1906.06064. PMID: 31434172.
[v] Williams NT. Probiotics. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2010 Mar 15;67(6):449-58. doi: 10.2146/ajhp090168. PMID: 20208051.
[vi] de Vrese M, Schrezenmeir J. Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics. Adv Biochem Eng Biotechnol. 2008;111:1-66. doi: 10.1007/10_2008_097. PMID: 18461293.
[vii] de Vrese M, Schrezenmeir J. Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics. Adv Biochem Eng Biotechnol. 2008;111:1-66. doi: 10.1007/10_2008_097. PMID: 18461293.
[viii] Salminen S, Collado MC, Endo A, et al. The International Scientific Association of Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) consensus statement on the definition and scope of postbiotics. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2021. doi: 10.1038/s41575-021-00440-6. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41575-021-00440-6
[ix] Vinderola G, Sanders ME, Salminen S. The Concept of Postbiotics. Foods. 2022 Apr 8;11(8):1077. doi: 10.3390/foods11081077. PMID: 35454664; PMCID: PMC9027423.
[x] Vinderola G, Sanders ME, Salminen S. The Concept of Postbiotics. Foods. 2022 Apr 8;11(8):1077. doi: 10.3390/foods11081077. PMID: 35454664; PMCID: PMC9027423.
[xi] Pedret A, Valls RM, Calderón-Pérez L, et al.. Effects of daily consumption of the probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CECT 8145 on anthropometric adiposity biomarkers in abdominally obese subjects: a randomized controlled trial. Int J Obes (Lond). 2019 Sep;43(9):1863-1868. doi: 10.1038/s41366-018-0220-0. Epub 2018 Sep 27. PMID: 30262813; PMCID: PMC6760601.
[xii] Żółkiewicz J, Marzec A, Ruszczyński M, Feleszko W. Postbiotics-A Step Beyond Pre- and Probiotics. Nutrients. 2020 Jul 23;12(8):2189. doi: 10.3390/nu12082189. PMID: 32717965; PMCID: PMC7468815.
[xiii] Pedret A, Valls RM, Calderón-Pérez L, Llauradó E, Companys J, Pla-Pagà L, Moragas A, Martín-Luján F, Ortega Y, Giralt M, Caimari A, Chenoll E, Genovés S, Martorell P, Codoñer FM, Ramón D, Arola L, Solà R. Effects of daily consumption of the probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CECT 8145 on anthropometric adiposity biomarkers in abdominally obese subjects: a randomized controlled trial. Int J Obes (Lond). 2019 Sep;43(9):1863-1868. doi: 10.1038/s41366-018-0220-0. Epub 2018 Sep 27. PMID: 30262813; PMCID: PMC6760601.