Benefits of Postbiotics in Dysbios

Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFA): Postbiotics such as acetate, propionate and butyrate inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria by lowering the pH of the gut and creating an unfavorable environment for harmful microbes. They also promote the growth of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, which help restore microbial diversity.

Quorum sensing molecules: these signaling molecules improve microbial communication and promote cooperative behavior among beneficial bacteria, thereby enhancing the stability of the microbial community.

Butyrate: This SCFA is particularly important for intestinal barrier health. It supports colonocytes (intestinal cells), promotes the production of tight junction proteins, and reduces intestinal permeability ("leaky gut"), a condition associated with inflammatory diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Exopolysaccharides: these carbohydrate structures act as prebiotic-like molecules, helping beneficial bacteria to colonise and adhere to the intestinal mucosa, thereby strengthening the barrier against pathogens.

Antimicrobial peptides: these peptides target harmful bacteria and neutralize them without disrupting the population of beneficial microorganisms. This helps reduce inflammation and bacterial overgrowth in conditions such as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).

Fragmented cell wall components: Molecules such as peptidoglycans stimulate the immune system by controlled activation of toll-like receptors (TLRs), thereby promoting immune tolerance to beneficial bacteria while strengthening defenses against pathogens.

SCFA (propionate and acetate): These molecules modulate the immune system by promoting the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines (e.g. IL-10) and regulatory T-cells, thereby reducing systemic inflammation associated with dysbiosis.

Lactic acid and acetic acid: These organic acids lower the pH in the gut, thereby directly inhibiting inflammatory pathogens such as Clostridium difficile. In addition, they neutralise toxic metabolites produced in dysbiosis.

Antioxidants and vitamins (e.g. vitamin K, folate): These postbiotic components reduce oxidative stress in the gut, which is a common cause of inflammation and tissue damage in conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Enzymes: Postbiotic enzymes help break down complex nutrients that are difficult to digest in dysbiosis, such as fibre and protein. This improves the production of fermentable substrates for beneficial microbes and improves nutrient absorption.

SCFA: These acids not only provide energy to the intestinal cells but also improve the absorption of calcium, magnesium and other minerals.