Probiotic, prebiotic, postbiotic and synbiotic – what are the differences?

The microbiota is very important for human health. It is the totality of microorganisms that inhabit the human body. Among other things, it improves the digestion process, strengthens the immune system, and also improves the digestion process. To further enhance the microbiota, one can reach for probiotics, prebiotics, or postbiotics. What is the difference between a probiotic and a postbiotic? Learn the main differences!

Probiotic, prebiotic and postbiotic – everything you need to know

Probiotic

Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. These are most often lactic acid bacteria, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, but they can also be yeasts, such as Saccharomyces boulardii. Probiotics support digestive health by maintaining or restoring the balance of the intestinal microflora. An effective probiotic must pass through the digestive tract and reach the intestines in a live form and exert a beneficial effect on the health of the host. Probiotic bacteria are found in the digestive system, oral cavity, and on the surface of the skin.

Prebiotic

Prebiotics, on the other hand, are nutrients that provide the right conditions and good growth for probiotic bacteria in the digestive tract. In other words, they are “food” for probiotics and a nutrient for the intestinal microflora. Their main task is to improve and increase the absorption of nutrients, as well as reduce the formation of inflammation in the digestive tract. Prebiotics include, among others: inulin, lactulose, or soy oligosaccharides.

Postbiotic

Just like probiotics, postbiotics have a positive effect on the human body. Postbiotics are biologically active substances that are produced in the process of food fermentation with the participation of probiotic bacteria, they can also be products of their metabolism or result from the breakdown of bacterial cells. They have a beneficial effect on the immune system, and also have antioxidant and antimicrobial effects. Their source is the bacterial microbiota contained in the intestines. They usually occur in the form of oligosaccharides, lactulose, fiber and inulin derivatives. Additionally, it is worth knowing that postbiotics are also found in breast milk, thanks to which they play an important role in the development of immunity in a baby.

Probiotic and postbiotic – differences

First of all, the main difference between probiotics and postbiotics is that the former are live bacteria, while postbiotics are bioactive products that contain metabolites in their composition. What’s more, it can be said that the properties of postbiotics are identical to those of probiotics, except that there are a few minor differences. Including:

• because postbiotics have a specific chemical composition, a safe dose can be determined;
• postbiotics and probiotics are devoid of pathogenic properties;
• postbiotic preparations may have a longer shelf life;
• postbiotics are resistant to the action of hydrolytic enzymes present in the human digestive tract.

When and how to use probiotics?

Probiotics should be used both during and after antibiotic therapy. This is due to the fact that probiotics, as we mentioned earlier, have a positive effect on the human body.

Unfortunately, as a result of taking antibiotics, partial damage to the microbiota may occur. For this reason, it is worth preventing this and protecting yourself against unwanted effects (such as antibiotic-associated diarrhea). Therefore, it is recommended to take probiotics throughout the entire period of taking antibiotics and for some time after the end of their dosage – most often up to two weeks.

Summary

Microbiota, which is a set of microorganisms present in the body, plays a key role in improving digestion, strengthening the immune system and improving mood. To take care of its condition, you can reach for probiotics, synbiotics and postbiotics. However, each of them differs slightly from each other.