The Longevity Series — Guides

Prebiotics vs Probiotics vs Postbiotics: What's the Difference?

Three similar words, three completely different things. A plain-English map of the gut-health supplement aisle.

The 60-second version

	What it is	Analogy
Prebiotics	Fibres that feed beneficial gut bacteria — e.g. inulin from chicory root	The fertiliser
Probiotics	Live beneficial bacteria, measured in CFU (colony-forming units)	The seeds
Postbiotics	Compounds produced by bacteria during fermentation, or heat-treated (paraprobiotic) bacterial cells	The harvest

Prebiotics

Prebiotic fibres such as inulin pass through digestion largely intact and are fermented by bacteria in the gut. They occur naturally in chicory root, onions, garlic, leeks and bananas. In supplements they appear as standalone fibre or blended with polyphenols — as in our GLP-1 Fiber Boost with inulin, pomegranate and grape seed. Introduce fibre gradually and drink plenty of water.

Probiotics

Probiotics are live bacterial strains — commonly Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species — dosed in CFU. Two label details matter: the CFU count at end of shelf life (not just at manufacture), and named strains rather than vague “probiotic blend” wording. Many formulas combine pre- and probiotics in one capsule, like our Pre & Probiotic 50 Billion CFU with prebiotic fibre and cranberry — sometimes called a synbiotic.

Postbiotics

Postbiotics are the newest category: beneficial compounds produced when bacteria ferment fibre — such as short-chain fatty acids — or heat-treated bacterial cells. Because nothing needs to survive stomach acid or refrigeration, postbiotics are shelf-stable by nature. Ours pairs them with metabolic botanicals: Postbiotic GLP-1 Complex.

Which do you actually need?

They're complementary, not competing. A practical way to think about it: fibre first (most UK adults fall short of the 30g/day NHS fibre guideline), live cultures if you want to add bacteria, postbiotics if you want a shelf-stable, strain-free route. Start with one, give it a few weeks, and adjust.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take prebiotics and probiotics together?

Yes — the combination is common enough to have a name (synbiotic), and many products combine them in one capsule.

Do probiotics need to be refrigerated?

Depends on the strains and manufacturing. Shelf-stable formulas state this on the label; follow the storage instructions of your product.

What does CFU mean?

Colony-forming units — the number of viable bacteria per serving. Quality brands state the CFU guaranteed at the end of shelf life.

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This guide is for general information only and does not constitute medical advice. These products are food supplements, not medicines — they are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.