Gut health isn’t just the latest wellness trend, it’s your body’s command centre. Research shows that the human gut microbiome, made up of trillions of tiny microbes, plays a central role in digestion, immune defence, and even your mood.¹

In fact, more than 10,000 people search for “gut health” online every month,² so it’s safe to say the belly buzz is real.

But that leaves many wondering, “Okay... but what should I be doing for my gut?”. If that sounds like you, you’re in the right place. This article breaks down three key gut health ingredients that can help support a thriving community of beneficial bacteria.

By the end, you’ll feel more informed and confident when navigating gut health supplements, with a clearer understanding of what’s available and how it can support your gut.

Introducing 3 Gut Health-Enhancing Ingredients - Pre, Pro and Postbiotics

Most of us have heard of probiotics, the friendly bacteria found in foods like yoghurt, kefir, and fermented vegetables. But modern science has moved well beyond that. We now know there are three key players when it comes to supporting gut health: prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics.

Probiotics are live bacteria that help enhance the growth of good species within your gut. Prebiotics are the fuel that help these bacteria grow. Postbiotics are beneficial compounds produced by bacteria that offer therapeutic effects, even without the original probiotic being alive.

Each one offers unique benefits, and together, they form a powerful trio that can help restore and maintain gut balance.

Prebiotics vs. Probiotics: Fertiliser vs. Seeds for Your Gut Garden

Imagine your gut is a garden. Probiotics are the seeds, but without food, they can’t flourish. That’s where prebiotics come in, think of them as the fertiliser that helps those good microbes grow and thrive.³,⁴

Prebiotics are special types of plant fibre that your body can’t digest, but your gut bacteria can. By feeding beneficial strains like Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli, they help support digestion, immunity, and even mental health.⁴

Some of the most effective prebiotics found in everyday foods include:

• FOS (Fructo-oligosaccharides), found in bananas, onions, and garlic
• GOS (Galacto-oligosaccharides), found in dairy
• Inulin, found in chicory root and artichokes
• Resistant starch, found in cooked-and-cooled potatoes and rice

If your diet falls short, prebiotic supplements can help nurture beneficial gut microbes. One standout option is Partially Hydrolysed Guar Gum (PHGG).

PHGG, The Gentle Giant of Gut Health

PHGG is a well-tolerated form of prebiotic fibre derived from guar beans. Think of it as the gentle giant, supportive, calming, and easy on sensitive stomachs. PHGG has been shown to⁵:

• Improve digestion by helping food move smoothly through the gut
• Reduce bloating and gas by promoting healthy motility
• Feed beneficial bacteria like Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli
• Strengthen the gut barrier by sealing it like a tight zipper
• Boost the production of short-chain fatty acids, which help repair the gut lining and support immunity
• Lower inflammation by improving the balance of bacteria in the gut

If you struggle with IBS, bloating, or general digestive discomfort, PHGG offers a gentle but effective option to support your gut health.⁵

What Are Postbiotics? The Helpful Leftovers That Pack a Punch

Postbiotics are non-living by-products of probiotic bacteria. These include short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), enzymes, vitamins, and fragments of bacterial cells.⁶⁻⁷

If probiotics are the chefs and prebiotics are the ingredients, postbiotics are the nourishing meals left behind after the cooking is done. 

Because they’re not alive, postbiotics don’t require refrigeration. Yet, they still provide powerful benefits for immune regulation, inflammation reduction, and overall gut function.⁶ Research is particularly promising for two postbiotics, LP-92™ and ES-1.

LP-92™ For Calmer Skin and Immune Balance

LP-92™, a heat-treated form of Lactobacillus acidophilus, helps balance the immune system by working through the gut. It contains unique enzymes and proteins that help regulate inflammatory signals in the body, which can reduce flare-ups of skin conditions like eczema.⁸

In studies on adults with eczema, LP-92™ was shown to:

• Reduce the area of eczema on the skin surface, including on the arms, legs, trunk, and scalp
• Significantly improved symptoms like itching, redness, dryness and thickening by 16% to 23% over 8 weeks⁹⁻¹⁰

This makes LP-92™, found within Ultra Flora Sensitive Skin, a valuable option for people looking to support both skin and gut health. 

ES-1, For Gut Repair and Mental Wellbeing

ES-1, short for Bifidobacterium longum CECT 7347, is a postbiotic originally isolated from breast milk. Once heat-treated, it becomes stable and effective as a non-living compound.¹¹ This postbiotic works like a maintenance crew, repairing the gut lining and supporting digestion.

Studies show ES-1 can¹¹:

• Promote the growth of butyrate-producing bacteria, which help fuel gut cells and repair the lining
• Reduce gut inflammation and discomfort
• Keep gut health markers like calprotectin stable
• Improve quality of life and reduce bloating in people with IBS

ES-1 is safe and well-tolerated, making it a great option for long-term digestive support. It’s combined with PHGG in UltraFlora Triple Action Biotic to support overall gut health.

So, What You Can Do for Better Gut Health

Taking care of your gut doesn’t have to be complicated. Start with small, evidence-based steps.

• Eat a wide variety of fibre-rich foods.
• Try a PHGG prebiotic for gentle digestive support with postbiotics like ES-1 to support digestive balance. 
• Look for supplements that combine prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics for a well-rounded approach.
• Work with a qualified healthcare practitioner for guidance if you struggle with digestive symptoms or intolerances.

Nurture Your Gut, Nourish Your Whole Body

Your gut is more than a digestive machine, it’s a complex, intelligent system that affects everything from your skin to your stress levels. By understanding and supporting each part, prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics, you can create an internal environment where health naturally thrives.

Whether you’re just starting or looking to go deeper in your gut health journey, now is the perfect time to act. For tailored guidance, reach out to a healthcare practitioner who can help you choose the best approach for your needs.

Your gut is talking, now’s the time to listen.

References:

1. Al-Habsi N, Al-Khalili M, Haque SA, Elias M, Olqi NA, Al Uraimi T. Health Benefits of Prebiotics, Probiotics, Synbiotics, and Postbiotics. Nutrients. 2024 Nov 19;16(22):3955. doi: 10.3390/nu16223955.
2. Google Trends. Accessed July 30, 2025. https://trends.google.com
3. Slavin J. Fiber and prebiotics: mechanisms and health benefits. Nutrients. 2013 Apr 22;5(4):1417-35. doi: 10.3390/nu5041417.
4. Davani-Davari D, Negahdaripour M, Karimzadeh I, et al. Prebiotics: Definition, Types, Sources, Mechanisms, and Clinical Applications. Foods. 2019 Mar 9;8(3):92. doi: 10.3390/foods8030092.
5. Abe A, Morishima S, Kapoor MP, et al. Partially hydrolyzed guar gum is associated with improvement in gut health, sleep, and motivation among healthy subjects. J Clin Biochem Nutr. 2023 Mar;72(2):189-197. doi: 10.3164/jcbn.22-75. 
6. Ikram A, Safdar SZ, Arshad MT, Rasheed A, Gnedeka KT. An overview of postbiotics: unveiling their distinct role in gut health. Food and Agricultural Immunology. 2024 Dec 31;35(1):2434463.
7. Zhao X, Liu S, Li S, et al. Unlocking the power of postbiotics: A revolutionary approach to nutrition for humans and animals. Cell Metab. 2024 Apr 2;36(4):725-744. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2024.03.004.
8. Torii A, Torii S, Fujiwara S, Tanaka H, Inagaki N, Nagai H. Lactobacillus acidophilus strain L-92 regulates the production of Th1 cytokine as well as Th2 cytokines. Allergol Int. 2007;56(3):293-301. doi:10.2332/allergolint.o-06-459
9. Yamamoto K,Yokoyama K, Matsukawa T, et al. Efficacy of prolonged ingestion of Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92 in adult patients with atopic dermatitis. J Dairy Sci. 2016;99(7):5039-5046. doi:10.3168/jds.2015-10605
10. Inoue Y, Kambara T, Murata N, et al. Effects of oral administration of Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92 on the symptoms and serum cytokines of atopic dermatitis in Japanese adults: a double-blind, randomized, clinical trial. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2014;165(4):247-254. doi:10.1159/000369806
11. Naghibi M, Pont-Beltran A, Lamelas A, et al. Effect of Postbiotic Bifidobacterium longum CECT 7347 on Gastrointestinal Symptoms, Serum Biochemistry, and Intestinal Microbiota in Healthy Adults: A Randomised, Parallel, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study. Nutrients. 2024 Nov 19;16(22):3952. doi: 10.3390/nu16223952.