Postbiotics
Alternate names: Bacterial Lysate, Bacterial Tyndallizate, Biogenics, Cell Supernatant, Culture Supernatant, Ghost Probiotics, Heat-Inactivated Probiotics, Heat-Killed Probiotics, Heat Stabilized Probiotics, Metabiotics, Non-Viable Bacterial Products, Non-Viable Probiotics, Parabiotics, Paraprobiotics, Parapsychobiotics, Post-Biotics, Spent Culture Medium, Tyndallized Probiotics, Zombie Probiotics
Actions: General, Antibacterial, Anti-cancer, Anti-inflammatory, Gastrointestinal, Immunological, Metabolic, Neurological, Nutritional
Background
Postbiotics are similar to probiotics. They are made of whole and partial microorganisms that offer health benefits. But unlike probiotics, they are not alive.
The term "postbiotics" is somewhat controversial. Generally, a postbiotic must be "inactivated" or killed, and it must be clear how this was done. Also, the postbiotic must provide health benefits. Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium bifidum that are no longer alive would be considered postbiotics.
People use postbiotics for stomach conditions, allergies, diabetes, high blood pressure, and many other conditions, but the definition of "postbiotics" is still unclear, so there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.
Postbiotics as a group aren't regulated by the FDA. Don't confuse postbiotics with probiotics. These are not the same.
The term "postbiotics" is somewhat controversial. Generally, a postbiotic must be "inactivated" or killed, and it must be clear how this was done. Also, the postbiotic must provide health benefits. Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium bifidum that are no longer alive would be considered postbiotics.
People use postbiotics for stomach conditions, allergies, diabetes, high blood pressure, and many other conditions, but the definition of "postbiotics" is still unclear, so there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.
Postbiotics as a group aren't regulated by the FDA. Don't confuse postbiotics with probiotics. These are not the same.
Safety Safety definitions
Postbiotics products might contain a wide range of ingredients. There isn't enough reliable information to know if postbiotics are safe, but some believe they might be safer than probiotics because they aren't alive. Examples of microorganisms that have been used as postbiotics include inactivated Brewer's yeast, Bacillus coagulans, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Limosilactobacillus reuteri. Review these topics to learn more.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if postbiotics are safe to use while pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Effectiveness
Effective Effectiveness definitions
There is interest in using postbiotics for a number of purposes, but the definition of "postbiotics" is still unclear, so there isn't enough reliable information to say whether they might be helpful. Examples of microorganisms that have been used as postbiotics include inactivated Brewer's yeast, Bacillus coagulans, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Limosilactobacillus reuteri. Review these topics to learn more.
Dosing & administration
Postbiotic products might contain a wide range of ingredients. Generally, to be called a postbiotic it must be clear how a microorganism is "inactivated" or killed, and health benefits must be confirmed. These products have been taken by mouth, applied to the skin, and inhaled through the nose. Examples of microorganisms that have been used as postbiotics include inactivated Brewer's yeast, Bacillus coagulans, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Limosilactobacillus reuteri. Review these topics to learn more.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
See specific microorganisms for interactions with medicines.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
See specific microorganisms for interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
See specific microorganisms for interactions with foods.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 22/02/2023 11:00:00. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
