The Gut Health Term You’re About To Hear Everywhere
You’ve likely already heard of prebiotics and probiotics, now there’s a new term in the world of gut health: postbiotics.
So, what exactly are they? Lets break it down:
Prebiotics - are the fibre that feeds your beneficial gut bacteria
Probiotics - are the live beneficial bacteria found in fermented foods and supplements
Postbiotics - are the beneficial compounds your gut naturally produce after feeding on those fibres, think of it as the final stage of the process!
These beneficial compounds include 'Short Chain Fatty Acids' (SCFAs) such as butyrate as well as enzymes, vitamins and other substances that help support your gut lining, immune system and healthy inflammation levels. You may have noticed butyrate becoming a popular supplement recently - your body can also produce this naturally when your gut bacteria are well fed. Your body really does utilise all the nutrients it gets.
Why all the interest?
With digestive problems becoming more common and bowel cancer rates rising in younger adults, researchers are paying closer attention to the gut microbiome and how keeping it healthy supports our overall wellbeing.
Your gut bacteria already produces these compounds when conditions support them. By feeding your gut bacteria with plenty of plant fibre and including fermented foods, where tolerated:
Think:
Colourful vegetables
Fruit
Beans and Legumes
Oats
Nuts and Seeds
Live yogurt, Kefir, Sauerkraut or Kimchi
However, when digestion breaks down, postbiotic production drops too. So, rather than reaching for another supplement, the goal is simple: look after your gut and the rest will look after itself. Here’s a checklist for your gut:
1. Bowel movements - Ideally 1-2 well-formed bowel movements a day
2. Bloating - Do you regularly feel uncomfortable after eating?
3. Energy - Afternoon slumps or brain fog a regular occurrence?
4. Sleep - Are you sleeping well and waking feeling refreshed?
If you’re experiencing ongoing digestive issues, I’d love to help. Book a free 20 minute discovery call with Wellness with Lucie and we’ll chat through your symptoms and discuss next steps.
For some clients with more complex gut health concerns, I may recommend GI Map testing, which now includes short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) to give us a more complete picture of how your gut microbiome is functioning.
Your body is amazing and already knows what to do - it sometimes just needs the right food and a little support to create the right environment to thrive.
Lucie xx
