Webinar preview: KHNI explores the trends, advancements and versatile health benefits of postbiotics

17 Jun 2024 --- Science continues to unveil the workings of the gut microbiome and its influence on immunity, gut health, lung health and even brain and mental health. Customers and consumers alike are seeking out solutions that address the many gut axes and provide holistic health effects. In this space, postbiotics emerges as a hero ingredient with increased stability and shelf life compared to traditional probiotics. 

Ahead of Kerry Health and Nutrition Institiute’s (KHNI) upcoming webinar, “Postbiotics in focus: A new approach to holistic health,” we sit down with Dr. Sonja Nodland, the senior RDA manager for immune and joint health at Kerry and speaker at the webinar, to discuss some of the science behind postbiotics and get a glimpse of what will be presented on Tuesday, June 18.

“Postbiotics represent a promising frontier in nutrition and health, offering benefits that are supported by a growing body of scientific evidence,” Nodland reveals. “As research continues to uncover their diverse effects on the body, it is crucial to educate consumers and healthcare professionals about their potential.”

“Collaboration between researchers, the food industry, and regulatory bodies will be key to unlocking the full potential of postbiotics and ensuring their safe and effective use in promoting health and well-being. Recent studies have highlighted several compelling consumer benefits of postbiotics, including improved digestive health, enhanced immune function, and better management of inflammation.” 

Moreover, Nodland states that postbiotics show promise for reducing depression and anxiety symptoms along the gut-brain axis — an area of research that has captured the attention of customers, scientists and health-conscious consumers. The interest in postbiotics has grown in recent years, driven by a surge in scientific studies and patent filings.

Understanding postbiotics 
Postbiotics are preparations of inanimate (lifeless) microorganisms and/or their components that provide a health benefit. They may also contain metabolites that were produced by the microorganisms before they were intentionally made inanimate during the production process. These types of compounds have been linked to improvements in digestive health, as well as several other areas.

Dr. Sonja Nodland, the senior RDA manager for immune and joint health at Kerry.People are becoming increasingly interested in healthy and active aging, which has led to a greater understanding of how different systems in the body are interconnected. Due to this, postbiotics are emerging as a key ingredient for promoting overall, holistic well-being by influencing not only gut health but also other important systems like the immune system and nervous system, both of which can affect cognition.

“Postbiotics influence gut health primarily through the production of metabolites, such as enzymes, butyrate, propionate, acetate and the like, which nourish gut epithelial cells, maintain the gut barrier and can help reduce inflammation,” Nodland explains. “For immune health, postbiotics can modulate the immune response by interacting with immune cells and promoting anti-inflammatory pathways.”

“They enhance the production of antimicrobial peptides and strengthen the gut barrier, reducing the risk of infections. In terms of cognitive health, postbiotics are involved in the gut-brain axis, where they help improve mood and cognitive function by supporting neurotransmitters and other signaling molecules.”

She further emphasizes that postbiotics work well for holistic applications because of their versatile health benefits and ability to modulate the gut microbiome’s interaction with other parts of the body, such as the nervous and immune systems.

“By modulating the immune response, reducing systemic inflammation, and influencing the gut-brain axis, postbiotics contribute to overall physical and mental well-being,” she highlights. “Their ability to work synergistically with other nutrients and bioactive compounds in a balanced diet makes them a valuable component of a comprehensive health strategy.”

Additionally, Nodland notes that recent clinical findings suggest that postbiotics can be useful in improving innate immunity and may have potential in immunotherapy applications.

Accessing the axes
The many gut axes and the plethora of scientific studies and trials behind postbiotics lend the ingredients to various functional solutions and growing and emerging market trends.

“As the population ages, there is increasing interest in maintaining gut health, immune function and cognitive health — all areas where postbiotics have demonstrated benefits and products that target these specific health concerns are in high demand,” Nodland underscores. “Marketing strategies often focus on the science-backed benefits of postbiotics in promoting longevity, reducing inflammation and supporting overall well-being, appealing to consumers who are proactive about their health as they age.”

We recently discussed emerging trends with Dr. Aoife Marie Murphy, the senior manager of sustainable nutrition at Kerry.Furthermore, the growing body of research highlights some unanticipated health benefits of postbiotics.

“Another unexpected finding is the role of postbiotics in skin health, where they have been shown to improve conditions such as eczema and acne by influencing systemic inflammation and the skin microbiome,” Nodland emphasizes. “Further research is needed. However, these findings open up new avenues for the application of postbiotics in areas beyond traditional gut health.”

Challenges and future focus
Nodland highlights that formulating with postbiotics has had much fewer challenges than in previous years. Two considerations when formulating with postbiotics are quantifying the postbiotic throughout the process and creating “clear and accurate” labels that can properly inform consumers of the specific benefits and usage of postbiotics.

“Manufacturers must also navigate regulatory requirements — still in its infancy — and ensure that health claims are supported by robust scientific evidence,” Nodland spotlights.

She also notes that future research can help with these challenges by investigating the specific mechanisms by which postbiotics affect different axes and impact areas such as gut, brain and immune health. 

Understanding the interaction between postbiotics and the microbiome at a molecular level could provide insights into personalized nutrition and targeted therapies,” Nodland concludes. “Investigating the potential synergistic effects of postbiotics with other functional ingredients could also lead to the development of more effective health-promoting products.”

By William Bradford Nichols