Amino Acids, Fatty Acids & Pro/Pre/Postbiotics

By Giannis Moutafidis, Founder & CEO, Swiss Formula · Last updated: June 2026 · ~13 min read

In the previous section we covered the legal framework, vitamins and minerals. Here we move on to three categories that have gained particular commercial and scientific importance in recent years: amino acids, fatty acids, and the full probiotics – prebiotics – postbiotics triad, with special attention to metabiotics, a relatively new category that many professionals haven't yet explored in depth.

Amino Acids & Protein Supplements

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, and are divided into two major categories: essential (the body cannot synthesize them — they must be obtained through diet) and non-essential (the body can synthesize them itself, although in certain situations — exercise, illness, stress — the need increases and they become "conditionally essential").

BCAAs (Branched-Chain Amino Acids)

Leucine, isoleucine and valine make up the best-known amino acid subcategory in the fitness world. Leucine in particular is considered the primary "signal" that activates muscle protein synthesis. Popular among athletic audiences, but their practical value is greater when overall dietary protein intake is already insufficient.

Creatine

One of the most studied supplements worldwide, with strong scientific evidence for improving strength and muscular performance in short, high-intensity efforts. The creatine monohydrate form remains the most studied and cost-effective, despite the existence of many "advanced" alternative forms on the market.

L-Carnitine

Involved in transporting fatty acids into the mitochondria for energy use. Common in weight management and athletic performance products, although clinical evidence for significant weight loss without an accompanying exercise/diet program is limited.

Glutamine

The most abundant amino acid in plasma, playing a role in intestinal epithelial and immune function. It becomes "conditionally essential" during states of intense physical stress (after trauma, surgery, or very intense exercise).

Protein Powders

Whey (milk protein): complete essential amino acid profile, rapid absorption. Three main forms: concentrate (~70-80% protein), isolate (~90%+, less lactose/fat), hydrolysate (pre-broken down, faster absorption).

Plant-based sources (pea, rice, hemp, soy): suitable for vegan audiences, often combined with each other (e.g. pea + rice) to complete the amino acid profile missing from a single source alone.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids & Fish Oils

Omega-3 fatty acids (mainly EPA and DHA) come primarily from fish oil, but also from plant sources (algal oil — suitable for vegan formulas). Their importance for cardiovascular health, brain function and anti-inflammatory action is among the best-documented in supplement literature.

Forms: TG vs Ethyl Esters (EE)

As we saw with vitamins/minerals, molecular form has practical significance. The triglyceride form (TG/rTG) is the natural form of the fatty acid as it exists in fish, with better bioavailability. The ethyl ester form (EE) is the more common industrial form because it allows a higher active concentration per capsule, but is absorbed less effectively when taken on an empty stomach.

Oxidative Stability: The Critical Quality Control Point

Omega-3 fatty acids are particularly susceptible to oxidation due to their many double bonds. A fish oil that has oxidized is not simply less effective — it can produce harmful compounds. The TOTOX (Total Oxidation Value) indicator is the key quality control tool: it combines primary (peroxide value) and secondary oxidation markers, and must be checked on every raw material batch.

Probiotics, Prebiotics & Postbiotics (Metabiotics)

Gut health is today one of the most commercially sought-after categories, and is understood through three distinct but complementary mechanisms.

Probiotics

Live microorganisms that, when consumed in sufficient quantity, exert a beneficial effect on the body. Their effectiveness depends on the specific strain (not just the species — e.g. it's not enough to say "Lactobacillus," the specific strain determines the effect), the CFU count (colony-forming units) at the end of the product's shelf life — not just at the moment of production — and their shelf stability, which often requires refrigeration or special protective packaging.

Prebiotics

Non-digestible plant fibers (inulin, fructo-oligosaccharides/FOS, galacto-oligosaccharides/GOS) that act as "food" for the existing beneficial gut flora. Unlike probiotics, they are very stable and do not require special storage conditions.

Postbiotics (Metabiotics)

The most recent and fastest-growing category of the triad. Postbiotics are heat-inactivated microorganism strains or their metabolic byproducts/components (e.g. short-chain fatty acids, cellular fragments, bacteriocins) — meaning they offer the biological benefits without the viability challenges that characterize live probiotics.

This translates into significant practical manufacturing advantages: they don't require refrigeration, don't interact with other formula ingredients, remain stable throughout processing, storage and the product's shelf life, and are suitable for incorporation into long-shelf-life functional foods and beverages — juices, bars, wellness drinks, honey blends, plant-based dairy alternatives — where a live probiotic would not survive the manufacturing process or shelf storage.

Indicative examples of strain-specific mechanisms of action, as documented in the relevant literature: regulation of lipid metabolism (lipogenesis/lipolysis) and support for satiety, an effect on the gut-brain axis involved in regulating eating behavior, strengthening of the intestinal barrier with anti-inflammatory action, and regulation of carbohydrate/fat absorption.

Synbiotics: The Combination

The three categories are not mutually exclusive. The term "synbiotic" refers to a product that combines a probiotic and a prebiotic deliberately designed to reinforce one another — a formulation strategy that today finds wide application both in capsules and in functional foods.

Digestive Enzymes

Enzyme supplements (amylase, lipase, protease, lactase) support the breakdown of carbohydrates, fats and proteins respectively. Particularly common among individuals with lactose intolerance (lactase) or general dyspepsia symptoms. Their effectiveness depends largely on the enzyme's stability in the acidic environment of the stomach — which determines the choice of packaging/coating format.

Summary & Next Steps

We covered amino acids/protein supplements, omega-3 fatty acids with an emphasis on quality stability, and the full probiotics-prebiotics-postbiotics triad, with particular analysis of metabiotics as an emerging category.

In the final section, we move on to botanical/herbal supplements, specialty supplements by purpose (joints, sleep, weight, immunity), and close with a safety chapter: interactions, special populations, and how all this knowledge translates into raw material selection for a real product.