Postbiol-EC, 60 capsules

Postbiotics: a new trend in the dietary supplements sector

Vitals presents a new product containing the world’s best-known postbiotic. The EpiCor® ingredient in Vitals Postbiol-EC is characterised by a unique nutrient composition, which is produced by the fermentation of nutrients in a natural culture medium using baker’s yeast . EpiCor® is the product of a company with over 75 years’ experience in natural fermentation processes. It is a postbiotic, i.e. a product consisting of non-living microorganisms .  In addition to the metabolic products (metabolites), EpiCor® also contains inactive (non-living) baker’s yeast cells, which offer added value. It can therefore be regarded as a so-called ‘whole-food’ fermentate, in which all components of the fermentation process are retained in the final product. A postbiotic can be combined excellently with a prebiotic or probiotic, but is also suitable as a standalone product when these are less appropriate.

Prebiotics and probiotics have been used successfully for some time. Knowledge in this field is therefore much more extensive than that regarding postbiotics. This topic, which is still relatively new, has only recently begun to receive a great deal of attention. The term ‘postbiotics’ was long controversial, which could lead to confusion in the scientific literature. In 2019, a change took place: A broad panel of experts from various relevant disciplines (the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics, ISAPP) agreed on a suitable definition. The term ‘postbiotic’, which means ‘after life’, describes the essence of a postbiotic: it consists of (parts of) non-living microorganisms, whether or not in combination with the substances they produce (metabolites). In other words, not just the metabolites produced by living microorganisms.

They are clearly distinct from prebiotics (fibre, which is water-soluble and can be fermented by the gut flora ) and probiotics (products containing live microorganisms) . Postbiotics offer a number of advantages over prebiotics and probiotics : On the one hand, the required dosage is generally much lower; on the other hand, preparations without live microorganisms have a longer shelf life than those containing live microorganisms. However, these different types of preparation can also be combined, as they complement each other well.

EpiCor® The situation with postbiotics is similar to that with probiotics: only studies conducted with this specific product (i.e. with a particular microorganism or a combination of microorganisms characterised at the strain level, in combination with specific metabolites) are meaningful. The yeast fermentate EpiCor® from the manufacturer Cargill is one of the postbiotics currently being investigated in the majority of (human) studies. Scientific evidence has traditionally been a high priority at Vitals, which is why this high-quality raw material was selected for Postbiol-EC.

EpiCor® is produced using a patented process involving fermentation with baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). This microorganism is used due to humanity’s millennia-long experience with the production of foods fermented by baker’s yeast and its ability to produce various nutrients. Saccharomyces converts the nutrients in the natural culture medium under anaerobic (oxygen-free) and strictly controlled culture conditions into a unique fermentate. This is followed by inactivation of the yeast cells via a gentle drying process, during which the metabolites formed remain undamaged. The dried yeast fermentate contains, in addition to non-viable yeast cells, proteins, peptides, antioxidants, minerals, polyphenols and soluble and insoluble dietary fibre, amongst other things. It has a unique and consistent composition, which also includes polysaccharides (beta-1,3/1,6-glucans) and mannans (mannose polymers) . As a result, Postbiol-EC from Vitals can be used in various situations as a daily dietary supplement.

We are aware that this product description is not particularly informative in terms of health benefits. This is because it is a dietary supplement and not a medicine; we are legally prohibited from making more far-reaching claims about its benefits. However, as our customers are well-informed and experienced in using Google, they can easily find the information they need themselves. It would be helpful, for example, to search for ‘Epicor’ and scientists such as Ruma Singh, F Inchigolo or GS Jensen.

Key ingredients

* No reference amount specified under the Food Information Regulation (LMIV)

Ingredients

Dried yeast fermentate (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), vegetable capsule (pullulan, from fermented cassava starch), bulking agent (microcrystalline cellulose [cellulose gel]), sunflower oil (Helianthus annuus).

Recommended intake

Take 1 capsule per day with water.

Storage instructions

Store in a cool, dry place away from light (not in the fridge).

Legal information

Do not exceed the recommended daily intake. Food supplements are not a substitute for a balanced and varied diet and a healthy lifestyle. Keep out of reach of young children.