Postbiotic Supplements: Do You Really Need Them? Unpacking the Gut Health Trend

• Postbiotics are beneficial compounds produced when gut bacteria break down prebiotics, unlike live probiotics or prebiotic fibers.
• While postbiotic supplements are new, postbiotics have always been produced naturally in our intestines.
• Research on postbiotics is early; some studies suggest benefits for mood, sleep, and gut health, but human evidence is limited and specific.
• Postbiotics offer practical advantages like stability and safety for immunocompromised individuals, but this doesn't equate to superior health benefits.
• For most people, a varied diet rich in fiber and fermented foods is the best way to naturally produce postbiotics and gain broader nutritional benefits.

Why It Matters: Postbiotic supplements are a promising area, but a fiber-rich diet remains the best way to support gut health.