What Is Tributyrin — and Why Is It Called a Postbiotic?Updated an hour ago
The Codeage Sleep Probiotic+ includes 200mg of Tributyrin per serving — an ingredient described as a postbiotic on the product page. Understanding what tributyrin is and how it fits within the pre, pro, and postbiotic framework helps clarify why it is included alongside the probiotic and prebiotic ingredients in this formula.
What Is Tributyrin?
Tributyrin is a triglyceride — a type of fat molecule — naturally found in small amounts in butter and other dairy-derived fats. It is composed of three butyrate molecules bound to a glycerol backbone. When consumed, tributyrin is metabolized to release butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) naturally produced in the gut during the fermentation of dietary fiber by intestinal bacteria.
Butyrate is the primary energy source for colonocytes — the cells lining the colon — and is one of the most studied short-chain fatty acids in gastrointestinal research. Learn more about short-chain fatty acids and gut health at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What Is a Postbiotic?
A postbiotic is a preparation of inanimate microorganisms and/or their components that confers a health benefit on the host — or, in broader usage in the supplement industry, a term applied to bioactive compounds produced by or related to microbial activity, such as short-chain fatty acids.
Tributyrin is classified as a postbiotic in this context because butyrate — the compound it delivers — is naturally produced by colonic bacteria through fermentation. Tributyrin provides a direct oral source of butyrate precursor, bypassing the fermentation step. You can find more on the evolving postbiotic terminology framework at the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).
Why Include Tributyrin Alongside Probiotics and Prebiotics?
The Sleep Probiotic+ takes a layered gut wellness approach — combining probiotic strains (live bacteria), prebiotic GOS (which feeds gut bacteria), and tributyrin (a postbiotic butyrate source) in a single formula. This pre, pro, and postbiotic combination reflects a comprehensive approach to gut microbiome supplementation.
This product is a dietary supplement. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Important: This product contains milk. Individuals with dairy allergies or sensitivities should consult a healthcare professional before use.
Codeage formulas are developed with care and may be subject to adjustments over time. We recommend checking the current product label or page for the most up-to-date ingredient and formulation information.
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