What are postbiotics?
What are postbiotics? Let’s find out!
Last updated: 29th November, 2024
Probiotics and prebiotics have become household names for their incredible benefits to gut health. Now, a new player is gaining attention: postbiotics. These powerful compounds, produced during microbial fermentation, offer unique health benefits. Despite their growing popularity, postbiotics remain unfamiliar to many consumers—here’s why they deserve your attention.
What are postbiotics?
Postbiotics are defined as a “preparation of inanimate microorganisms and/or their components that confers a health benefit on the host”. In other words, they are the bacterial products or metabolites released from microbial fermentation.
For this reason, postbiotics include several types of compounds, such as short-chain fatty acids (that have several health benefits), microbial cell fragments, functional proteins, extracellular polysaccharides, cell lysates or teichoic acid.
Unlike probiotics, postbiotics do not need to be alive to be beneficial, so they are more stable than the living bacteria they are derived from. [1]
Why choose postbiotics?
If you’re already taking probiotics and prebiotics, you might wonder: Why add postbiotics to the mix? The answer lies in the unique way postbiotics work to support your health.
Gut microbiota composition varies significantly between individuals, meaning probiotics and prebiotics may metabolize differently and deliver varied health benefits. Additionally, changes in gut microbiota over time can influence their effectiveness.
Postbiotics, on the other hand, provide a direct source of beneficial components like short-chain fatty acids, microbial fragments, functional proteins, and teichoic acid. These are the very substances that probiotics and prebiotics help produce—but with postbiotics, you consume them directly for faster and more consistent results
If you want to know more about prebiotics, check out this article. Or if you are familiar with prebiotics, this article about synbiotics might be for you!
What are the health benefits of postbiotics?
Research suggests that postbiotics may have several health benefits. These include the following:
• Modulation of the microbiota. Postbiotic components such as butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid, are beneficial for gut health. [2]
• Modulation of the immune system. Butyrate can stimulate the production of T cells in the intestine, which helps control immune responses. Other components such as microbial cell wall fragments can increase the production of cytokines, which are chemical messengers that help reduce inflammation and boost immune responses. [2,3]
• Modulation of the metabolism. Propionate, a short-chain fatty acid, can help improve insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance. On the other hand, butyrate can stimulate the production of an antioxidant called glutathione. [1,2]
• Reduction of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms. A study in 443 individuals with IBS involving orally administered, heat-inactivated Bifidobacterium bifidum, found that the postbiotic substantially alleviated symptoms associated with IBS, such as abdominal pain or discomfort, abdominal bloating and abnormal bowel habits. [4]
• Other potential benefits. Orally administered, inactivated lactic acid bacteria may help eradicate Helicobacter pylori infection, chronic unexplained diarrhoea and the abrogation of the negative effects of stress. [1]
How to add postbiotics to your diet?
Looking to boost your health with postbiotics? While they aren’t as widely available as probiotics and prebiotics, you can find postbiotic supplements in health food stores or online. These products are generally safe and well-tolerated, making them a convenient option for supporting gut health.
You can also naturally enhance postbiotic production in your body. Since postbiotics are created during fermentation by gut bacteria, focus on consuming foods rich in probiotics and prebiotics. Probiotic sources include fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, tempeh, and kombucha. Prebiotics, on the other hand, are abundant in high-fiber foods such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.
By combining these nutrient-rich foods, you’ll support your gut microbiota and maximize the natural production of postbiotics.
Mental Health and Gut Health: How Are They Connected?
Mental Health and Gut Health: How Are They Connected?
Did you know that the health of your gut extends far beyond digestion? Recent research highlights how closely intertwined gut functioning is with mental well-being, thanks to the gut-brain axis. But what exactly is the gut-brain axis, and how does it impact our health?
Understanding the Gut-Brain Axis
The gut-brain axis refers to the bidirectional communication system between the central nervous system and the gut microbiome. This connection involves hormones, neurotransmitters, and immune factors produced in the gut, which send signals to the brain either directly or through the nervous system (1).
How Gut Health Affects Mental Well-Being
An imbalance in the gut microbiome or inflammation within the gut can contribute to mental health conditions like anxiety and depression (1). Here’s how:
- Gut Inflammation and the Brain: Inflammatory molecules called pro-inflammatory cytokines travel through the bloodstream and can cross the blood-brain barrier. Once in the brain, they may alter its functioning, leading to symptoms like anxiety, depression, or memory loss.
- Stress and the HPA Axis: Chronic gut inflammation can overstimulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which regulates stress responses (2). Overactivation increases cortisol, a stress hormone, which exacerbates inflammation and contributes to mood disorders.
How Mental Health Influences Gut Health
The connection works both ways: mental health conditions can disrupt gut functioning. Stress and anxiety can:
- Alter gut motility (how food moves through the digestive system).
- Disrupt the composition of gut bacteria (microbiota).
- Weaken the gut barrier, leading to increased sensitivity or conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) (3).
The Role of Probiotics and Prebiotics in Gut-Brain Health
Nurturing a healthy gut can have a positive effect on the gut-brain axis. Probiotics and prebiotics play crucial roles here:
- Probiotics: These are live microorganisms that help balance the gut microbiome. They can:
- Prebiotics: These are plant fibers that act as food for probiotics, fostering the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. Together, prebiotics and probiotics work synergistically to:
Achieving Balance: A Key to Gut and Brain Health
Maintaining a healthy gut-brain connection is essential for both mental and physical health. Imbalances in the gut microbiome can contribute to the development of mental health issues, while stress and anxiety can disrupt gut health.
Probiotics and prebiotics offer promising solutions by addressing inflammation and restoring balance in the gut microbiome, potentially easing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and IBS.
Key Takeaway
The gut-brain axis highlights the intricate link between gut health and mental well-being. By understanding and nurturing this connection, we can take proactive steps to improve overall health. Incorporating probiotics and prebiotics into your diet may be a great starting point for better gut and mental health.
Why gut health is key to your overall well-being
Why gut health is key to your overall well-being
Last updated: 15th November, 2024
Research and professionals often mention that gut health is essential to overall well-being. However, what exactly is meant with the term gut health? How is the gut linked to well-being, and why is this important? In this article, we will explore the importance of gut health, and its role in maintaining a good overall health.
The gut is a multi-functional organ
The gut is not only important for the digestion and uptake of nutrients from food. The gut also forms a physical barrier that protect us from many different pathogens. Hereby, the gut serves an immunomodulatory role, protecting against inflammation. Intestinal health can also affect mood and cognition through communication between the gut and the brain, called the gut-brain axis. The microorganisms that reside in the gut play a major role in how gut health influences overall well-being (1).
The gut is also called the gastrointestinal tract or the digestive tract. It consists of the entire pathway from when food first enters the body and the remnants that leave the body again. Along the way, the food gets digested, and nutrients are absorbed to be used as energy sources and building blocks, in order to support the overall physiological functioning of the body (1).
What is the structure of the gut?
The gut is approximately 9 meters long, with the small intestine taking up 6 meters of this length. The lining of the gut consists of 4 distinct layers. The villi and microvilli that texture the gut epithelium, increase the surface area at which the absorption of nutrients can take place. Underneath the outermost layer, blood vessels and lymph vessels are in close proximity to the surface of the gut. This allows for the fast absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream (2).
The gut contains many cells that are important for immune function. They facilitate the secretion of enzymes and mucus into the lumen, or hormones and other messaging molecules into the blood. The lymphatic system is part of this, as it is home to many immune cells that can fight pathogenic intruders. A protective mucus layer covers the epithelium, which makes it more difficult for pathogens to pass through (3).
Gut microbiome
Another important component of the gut are the commensal microorganisms that reside there; the gut microbiota. These microorganisms consist of many different species of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi, and the composition is unique for every person. Bacteria make up the vast majority of the gut microbiome, with around 1000 different bacterial species that reside in your gut!
The microbes in the gut elicit many important functions. They support energy metabolism, by fermenting otherwise undigestible dietary fibres into short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). SCFAs can be used as an energy source for intestinal cells, and serve as anti-inflammatory signalling molecules. Due to their presence in large quantity, the gut microbiota can oppose colonization by pathogens, stimulate tolerance towards antigens, and induce the production of the protective mucus layer (4).
What is gut health?
Gut health refers to the overall functioning of the gut, in the absence of digestive symptoms. The gut microbiome plays a central role in this; there has to be a balance between the helpful and potentially harmful microorganisms in the gut, as this can affect the integrity of the gut. Therefore, crosstalk between these microorganisms and the gut epithelium plays a pivotal role in one’s health status (5).
There are multiple factors that can affect the composition of the gut microbiota, influencing the function and integrity of the gut barrier. These include environmental factors, including where you live, your age, what you eat, how physically active you are, but also stress levels, and the use of antibiotics, as well as genetic factors (6).
Why is gut health important?
Immunology
The gut forms a protective barrier against gut microbes, pathogens, food antigens, and toxins to which the body is exposed at the level of the gut. In fact, the intestine forms the largest internal barrier, and is therefore essential for the protections against harmful substances. Next to the physical barrier, as many as 70-80% of the immune cells reside in the gut.
The immune cells in the gut secrete antibodies and antimicrobial proteins. Together with the epithelial and mucus barrier, they protect the underlying tissues form the translocation of pathogens that might be present in the lumen of the gut. The cells of the gut are held together by so-called tight junctions, which can loosen to become more ‘’leaky’’. This can be beneficial by aiding in the absorption of nutrients, or disposing of the inflammatory stimuli that did manage to cross the gut barrier (diarrhoea).
However, an excessively leaky gut allows for ‘’bad’’ bacteria and other pathogens to enter the blood stream and cause (chronic) inflammation. This can further increase gut barrier dysfunction and disease. Dysbiosis – an imbalance between the favourable and unfavourable microbes in the gut – is a major cause of a leaky gut. (7, 8)
Gut-brain axis
Gut health is also important for brain health and cognitive function. There is bidirectional communication between the central nervous system – the brain, and the nervous system that resides in the gut. Interestingly, the majority – up to 90% – of the body’s serotonin is produced in the gut. Serotonin is the so-called ‘’feel-good’’ chemical, which plays an important role in the modulation of mood, learning, and memory.
The gut microbiota play an important role in the communication between the gut and the brain. The SCFAs produced by the gut microbiota are able to cross the blood-brain barrier, and directly communicate with the brain. Likewise, dysbiosis of the gut microbiome can alter the blood-brain barrier, possibly contributing to inflammation of the central nervous system, which is linked to depression and anxiety-like disorders (9).
How to support Gut Health?
There are plenty of ways to support gut health. First of all, probiotics can be used to maintain a healthy community of microorganisms, by supplementing directly with live microorganisms. Next to that, prebiotics derived from non-digestible carbohydrates can be used to selectively stimulate the growth of intestinal bacteria. Another way to enhance gut health is through the use of the bacterial products or metabolites released from microbial fermentation; the so-called postbiotics.
Gut health is the foundation of good health
All in all, it is quite evident that keeping the gut healthy is of great importance for one’s overall well-being. The gastrointestinal tract, which is the home to many different microorganisms, takes care of digestion and absorption of foods and nutrients needed to perform all basic functions. Next to that, it plays crucial role in the defence against pathogens, and through its bidirectional communication with the brain, has a significant impact on mood and cognitive function.
Latest clinical publication: Bonolive® improves Menopause Symptoms
Latest clinicial results with Bonolive® published in peer reviewed journal
Press release
Our latest clinical study confirms the beneficial effects of Bonolive® on Menopause Symtoms and women’s overall quality of life.
Solabia Nutrition announces the release of our latest peer-reviewed clinical study. It is published in the international journal “Nutrients”. The manuscript is authored by scientists of the departments of Human Biology and Nutrition and Movement Sciences at Maastricht University, the Netherlands and scientists of Solabia Nutrition.
This randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial aimed to investigate the effect of Bonolive® on Menopausal Symptoms including physical and psychological domains.
Bonolive®: award-winning olive leaf extract for women’s health
Bonolive® is a clinically validated extract from Manzanilla olive leaves, standardized for 40% oleuropein. In previous published clinical studies in menopausal women, Bonolive® has established its beneficial effects on increasing osteocalcin levels, reducing joint pain and improving blood lipid profile – all key domains for Menopausal women’s quality of life! Moreover, Bonolive® won the award for Innovation in Women’s Health 2024!
The FEMMED study:
Olive Leaf Extract Supplementation Improves Postmenopausal Symptoms: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Parallel Study on Postmenopausal Women
Introduction
Menopause marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years, caused by a decline in ovarian hormone production like estrogen. This gradual process affects various organs like skeletal muscle and skin. Menopause also comes with various physical and psychological symptoms that impact health and quality of life. For example: hot flashes, sleep issues, fatigue, skin dryness and reduced sexual desire. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a popular treatment option, though it has side effects. Therefore, women are looking for a natural and hormone-free solution for menopause symptoms.
Methods
For this RCT, 60 postmenopausal women aged between 47-70 years completed the trial. They took 250mg Bonolive® or placebo daily for 12 weeks and completed measurements at baseline, 6 weeks and 12 weeks. Measurements included DEXA scan, validated Menopause Quality of Life questionnaire (MENQoL), blood samples and more. The full study design can be seen in the publication: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/22/3879
Results
The overall MENQoL score was significantly improved (p=0.027) after 6 weeks Bonolive® intake compared to placebo. This score included Vasomotor, Psychological, Physical and Sexual domains.
This study also confirms Bonolive®’s treatment effect on lowering triglycerides levels (p=0.010) and improving TG/HDL ratio (p=0.029).
Moreover, a significant increase in bone mineral density (p=0.019) of the dominant arm was observed after taking Bonolive® compared to placebo.
Access all previously published studies with Bonolive® here
Conclusion
The FEMMED study demonstrated the potential of Bonolive® as a 100% natural and safe solution for Menopause care. This is indicated by the significant improvement in menopause symptoms as analyzed via the internationally validated MENQoL Score.
Bonolive® offers consumers a science-based and plant-based solution to address the challenges of Menopause.
Access more preliminary data with Bonolive® and skin health
About Solabia Nutrition
Solabia Nutrition, based in Maastricht, the Netherlands, develops and supplies proprietary bioactive formulations to the health and sports nutrition industry. All Solabia Nutrition’s products are clinically tested and from natural origin. The main focus areas are gut microbiome, brain health, energy & vitality and skin health.
Feel free to contact via contact@solabia.com for more information on the possibilities our ingredients have to offer.
How to manage IBS symptoms via the diet?
How to manage IBS symptoms via the diet?
About 11% of the global population experiences digestive issues, often accompanied by symptoms like abdominal discomfort, bloating, and irregular bowel movements. Since these issues are closely linked to the digestive system, making mindful dietary choices can be an effective way to ease symptoms and improve daily well-being.
Common Symptoms of IBS
Understanding the underlying causes of IBS and digestive discomfort can be challenging, as symptoms vary widely across individuals. Symptoms can include abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and general fatigue, with some studies suggesting that women may be more affected than men (1, 2).
Easing Abdominal Discomfort with Dietary Fiber
Increasing fiber intake to 20-35 grams per day is often recommended for alleviating abdominal discomfort (3). However, not all fiber sources are equally beneficial; certain types, like insoluble fibers, can actually increase discomfort (4). On the other hand, soluble fibers from foods like carrots, eggplant, berries, and citrus fruits are often gentler on the digestive system and may reduce bloating (2).
Additionally, incorporating probiotics and prebiotics into your diet may further help manage symptoms.
Strategies to Relieve Constipation: Fiber and Hydration
Constipation, often experienced as hard, infrequent stools, can sometimes be eased with simple dietary adjustments. Staying well-hydrated softens stools, making them easier to pass. Adding fiber-rich agents can also support regular bowel movements. Plant-based soluble fiber form a gel in the intestines, which helps to normalize stool consistency and promotes ease in passing stools. Such fiber can be obtained via the diet or taken via supplements or even incorporated into recipes like baked goods (5).
Stabilizing Stool Consistency with Bulking Agents
For those experiencing loose or frequent stools, adding bulking agents like flaxseed or psyllium can be beneficial. They work to normalize stool texture in both constipation and diarrhea by absorbing excess water in the digestive tract, which helps to firm up stools and promote more regular bowel movements (5).
General Dietary Tips for Reducing IBS Symptoms
To reduce the likelihood of digestive flare-ups, consider these general dietary practices:
- Avoid skipping meals, which can disrupt digestion.
- Stick to moderate portion sizes rather than large meals.
- Limit alcohol, caffeine, and gas-producing foods such as beans and carbonated drinks.
If symptoms persist, a low-FODMAP diet may be beneficial (6). This approach involves avoiding certain hard-to-digest carbohydrates (found in foods like some legumes and dairy) that can lead to rapid gas production. After several weeks on a low-FODMAP diet, foods are gradually reintroduced based on individual tolerance levels. Since this diet is restrictive, it’s best followed under the guidance of a qualified nutritionist to ensure a balanced intake.
Conclusion
By paying close attention to dietary choices and making adjustments as needed, it’s possible to manage digestive symptoms more effectively and enjoy better overall comfort in daily life.
Preliminary results: Brainberry® improves executive function
New preliminary results: Brainberry® significantly improves executive function
New preliminary data sheds light into the effect of Brainberry® on executive function. In our latest clinical study, we assessed executive function and cognitive performance, reflected via the spatial working memory test.
Solabia Nutrition announces preliminary results from a recent clinical study that demonstrate the potential of Brainberry®, our innovative aronia extract ingredient, to significantly improve executive function. This early data adds to the growing body of evidence supporting Brainberry®’s role in cognitive health, specifically targeting areas essential for multitasking and managing daily activities.
Anthocyanins, the key active compounds in Brainberry®, are abundant in aronia berries and have shown promise in supporting neuroprotective effects. Known for their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, anthocyanins can directly influence brain function and have been studied extensively for their role in potentially improving brain signaling and consequently – executive function.
Study Design and Preliminary Findings
The study, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial, evaluated the effects of Brainberry® in middle-aged subjects. This demographic is particularly vulnerable to cognitive decline, making Brainberry®’s potential impact especially meaningful.
The results indicate that Brainberry® may support executive function, a crucial component of working memory and multitasking ability.
About Solabia Nutrition
Solabia Nutrition, based in Maastricht, Netherlands, develops and supplies proprietary bioactive formulations to the health and sports nutrition industry. All Solabia Nutrition’s products are clinically tested and from natural origin. The main focus areas are gut microbiome, brain health, energy & vitality and skin health.
Feel free to contact via contact@solabia.com for more information on the possibilities our ingredients have to offer.
Meet us at in-Vitality 2024
Meet us at in-Vitality 2024
Are you ready for in-Vitality 2024? We are looking forward to be in Milano!
It is time for the biggest Nutraceutical Event in Italy!
in-Vitality 2024 is taking place from 20-21st November in Milano. Join us to explore our latest preliminary data with Bonolive® for women’s health and Brainberry® for executive function!
We look forward to seeing you there!
Book a meeting!
What are the health benefits of wheat arabinoxylans?
What are the health benefits of wheat arabinoxylans?
Last updated: November 1st, 2024
Wheat arabinoxylans are a type of non-starch polysaccharides found in the cell walls of wheat grains. The interest in these molecules has been increasing over time due to their proven health benefits. The consumption of wheat arabinoxylans results in a strong prebiotic effect, enhancement in overall gut health and immunity, and improvement in metabolic parameters such as blood glucose and insulin levels.
What are arabinoxylans?
Arabinoxylans are a type of non-starch polysaccharide found in the cell walls of cereal grains. Arabinoxylans have been identified in all major cereal grains, including wheat, barley, oats, rye, rice, sorghum, maize, and millet. They are mainly localized in the cell walls of starchy endosperm, the aleurone layer, the bran, and the husk.
Not all arabinoxylans are the same. Depending on the cereal, arabinoxylans vary in amount and structure. Wheat arabinoxylans consist of side chains linked by α-(1→2) and/or α-(1→3) bonds along the xylan backbone, and xyloses are most commonly mono-substituted.
Furthermore, the molecular structure of arabinoxylans depends on the extraction method applied. Arabinoxylans are extracted using chemical, enzymatic, or physical treatments. The different extraction techniques result in differences in the degree of polymerization (which represents the length of the arabinoxylan chains), and the content of soluble arabinoxylan.
As with all dietary fibres, their physicochemical characteristics affect the degree to which the gut microbiota utilise them. Higher degrees of polymerization and concentrations of soluble fibre relate to greater bifidogenic effects [1].
Wheat arabinoxylans can be used as a dietary supplement due to their beneficial effects on gut health, weight management, glycaemic control and immune health.
Moreover, due to the physicochemical and technological properties of these molecules (e.g. water-binding capacity, gelation), wheat arabinoxylans are also used as a baking additive to improve dough consistency, increase loaf volumes and improve crumb structure.
The health benefits of wheat arabinoxylans
Research around wheat arabinoxylans suggests that these compounds, as part of dietary fibre, have many beneficial physiological effects along the entire human gastrointestinal tract.
These effects depend on a complex mixture of molecular and physical properties of arabinoxylan preparations, as well as on the site, rate and extent of their digestion and fermentation in the gut.
Wheat arabinoxylans have strong prebiotic properties
Arabinoxylans have strong prebiotic properties, by selectively stimulating the growth of beneficial bacteria in the colon, such as Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides species [2,3].
This change in the microbiota is associated with positive health outcomes, such as improved overall health, decreased gut infections and enhanced mineral absorption.
Additionally, intestinal bacteria ferment the prebiotics resulting in the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which have numerous favourable effects.
These effects include the inhibition of harmful bacteria or improvement of glucose tolerance, among others [4].
Wheat arabinoxylans improve weight management and glycaemic control
Evidence suggests that wheat arabinoxylans improve metabolic control by improving blood glucose and insulin levels [5].
In addition, the gut microbiota metabolize arabinoxylans, primarily producing the SCFAs butyrate, acetate and propionate. Acetate and propionate can bind to a specific protein receptor called GPR43 in the colon.
After binding, the secretion of two satiety peptides (PYY and GLP-1) is increased. This leads to decreased gastric emptying, lowered intestinal motility and decreased levels of the hunger hormone ghrelin. Additionally, they also activate anorexigenic signalling in the brain. These processes are key to improving glucose handling and weight management [6].
Moreover, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded there is sufficient scientific evidence to substantiate the health claim that consuming arabinoxylans produced from wheat endosperm contributes to reducing glucose rise after a meal [7].
Wheat arabinoxylans boost immune health
Arabinoxylans have immunomodulatory properties. Specifically, they enhance adaptive immunity, innate immunity and gut barrier integrity:
1. Adaptive immunity.
Arabinoxylans increase vaccination efficacy against influenza, resulting in fewer adverse events, and an improved seroprotection rate [8].
2. Innate immunity.
As mentioned, arabinoxylans promote a beneficial SCFA profile. This leads to increased cytokine production, improved monocyte recruitment capacity, and activation of regulatory T-cells, resulting in increased immune system vigilance [9,10]. All these cells are involved in keeping the immune system in check by making sure that it returns to a stable state after invaders have been successfully cleaned up.
3. Gut barrier integrity.
The SCFA butyrate provides additional energy to the gut cells and strengthens the mucus layer. Arabinoxylans further induce the upregulation of tight junction proteins, protecting the human body against foreign invaders and strengthening the immune system [11,12].
How can you add wheat arabinoxylans to your diet?
Though in small concentrations, wheat arabinoxylans naturally occur in wheat-based products. However, if you want to increase the intake of these compounds in your diet, dietary supplements or enriched functional foods are also available. They are found in capsule form, in powder blends, bars and even products such as enriched bread, pasta, and a variety of other snacks.
Generally, consuming 1 to 5 grams of arabinoxylans daily is enough to benefit from their prebiotic effect. Regarding EFSA’s health claim on glycaemic control, at least 8% of arabinoxylan-rich fibre produced from wheat endosperm per unit of available carbohydrates should be consumed.
Wheat arabinoxylans are generally considered safe and well tolerated by the gut, meaning that they do not cause intestinal discomfort [13,14].
