Most of us have heard of prebiotics and probiotics. Now nutritionists and the natural health community are talking about postbiotics. Postbiotics are essentially the byproduct of prebiotics and have recently been found to be beneficial to the body. Postbiotic components includes short chain fatty acids, cell components, proteins, metabolites, and peptides.
The research for postbiotics is fairly new and it’s believed some of the benefits are:
– Increase insulin sensitivity helping to fight pre-diabetes and type II diabetes 
– Boost your metabolism
– Improve your immune system
– Reduce inflammation
– Help heal leaky gut by promoting motility or the movement of waste through the digestive tract.
Postbiotics supplements are new and available on the market, however, you can naturally increase the production with food. Foods that increase postbiotics in the gut are fermented foods such as yogurt, sauerkraut, miso, kimchi, soft cheeses, kefir, sourdough bread, buttermilk, kombucha, pickled veggies, and tempeh.
There may be more in the news this year about postbiotics boosting your health, and if probiotics upset your stomach or digestive system, then maybe postbiotics are worth a try.
Sources: Today’s Dietitian, U.S. News Health, and Today.com
About Shima: Shima graduated from the University of Arkansas with a BS in Microbiology in 1997 and worked at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences with the Infectious Disease Department on clinical trials for over 4 years. She then pursued a career change and graduated with her Doctorate degree from St. Louis College of Pharmacy in 2007. During her years enrolled in pharmacy school she worked part-time at St. Louis University, where she helped design a laboratory protocol for the BCG Vaccine Study, which received full funding in 2011.
Shima joined Sinks and Medley Pharmacy in September of 2014 as a pharmacist. She continually strives to focus on improving outcomes and raising the quality of life for patients with all types of medical ailments and conditions.
