Key Takeaways:
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Our gut is where the immune system gets its oomph, where the final products of digestion sit, and where water is absorbed into the body. About 400 different kinds of bacteria live there, most of them good, some not so much. Maintaining the balance of these bacteria is critical to staving off one or another pathology, including IBS/IBD, diverticular issues, and even polyposis. The bottom line is that no one should suffer colon disease, and fewer have to if healthy and appropriate bacteria levels are maintained.
The cells that line the colon walls are called colonocytes. These endothelial beauties are flat and constitute a layer that is only a single cell thick. They live shorter than a week and then are replaced by new ones. Because of this high turnover rate, there’s no need to do harsh cleanses, our bodies do the work for us!
All cells need a source of energy to do their work. Evidence is strong that the epithelial lining of the gut relies more on luminal energy supply than on vascular, meaning that energy comes from outside, not from the bloodstream, as most cells require. So, then, what is this energy supply? Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA’s) derived from the bacterial fermentation of resistant starch are the luminal substrates for colonocytes.
Short-chain fatty acids, or SCFAs, are metabolites created by the microorganisms in our gut. There are several kinds of these SCFAs, including acetate, butyrate, and propionate. They all serve an important purpose in the gut, but we’ll be focusing on butyrate today.
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Butyrate is a short-chain fatty acid produced by bacteria in the colon that’s essential for a healthy microbiome. In fact, appropriate levels of butyrate are key, not only to digestion, but to cellular and DNA health as well.*
Butyrate is a key SCFA that supports the colon and the gut lining. Butyrate in particular has been found to be a key factor in supporting a healthy inflammation response in the colon.[4]* On its own, it provides up to 90% of the energy required by the colonocytes, the cells of the colon!* It’s no wonder a deficiency can lead to degradation of the gut lining and subsequent illness. When we have enough butyrate, we have a stronger gut, stronger gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), and a stronger immune response.* Butyrate also supports the mucosa that hydrates the gut lining, promotes cell differentiation, and inhibits enzymes that can interfere with DNA replication.*[5]
Butyric acid and butyrate can often be confused but are simply different forms of the same molecule. Butyric acid is the form that you’ll find in food and many supplements and is also called butanoic acid. It’s an SCFA with four carbon atoms at its heart and is found in butter (hence its name) and other dairy products. When butter goes rancid, (i.e. when your Romano cheese sits on the kitchen table for a few hours at ninety degrees), you can experience the unfortunate aroma of butyric acid — a sharp, fermented, rather unpleasant smell.
Butyric acid has a pH low enough to cause an upset stomach, but when compounded with an alkali, it becomes more than just an agreeable friend. When an acid is mixed with a base, the combination forms a salt plus water. At this stage, we no longer have butyric acid, but butyrate, a buffered form of butyric acid. The terms might be used interchangeably because they have some commonality, but they are not the same.
At this point, you may be wondering if you have low levels of butyrate, or how you would know if you did. We took this question to our resident expert, Dr. Tom, who let us know that the only way to truly know is by taking a stool test. But, he also mentioned that if you’re not getting adequate fiber from starchy foods in your diet, chances are good you could use some extra butyrate. As we know, the SAD (Standard American Diet) is full of processed foods that are devoid of fiber, and the 25-28 grams we need per day are generally lacking in many diets. In fact, 97% of Americans do not eat enough fiber!
Butyrate levels in the gut can be negatively affected by high-protein, high-fat, low-carb diets. Keto and Paleo diets that restrict carbohydrates and fiber lack the starch needed to make your own butyrate. Carnivore diets can skew SCFA production away from producing butyrate and see higher levels of propionate and acetate.
Another way to determine if you might be deficient in butyrate is to consider common symptoms of those who are. These symptoms take time to develop and can include:
Anyone who is experiencing digestive symptoms such as gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain and discomfort may benefit from having more butyrate in their gut. However, every microbiome and body is unique, so you should consult with a trusted practitioner to determine what is right for you.
So now that we know the symptoms of low butyrate levels, what benefits does this nutrient actually provide? While there are many (including simply reducing the symptoms we mentioned above), there are three primary advantages that butyrate gives us.
Of the short-chain fatty acids and those having fewer than six carbon atoms, butyrate is the one that nourishes the gut and promotes cell differentiation, a process that helps to prevent serious colonic diseases.* Because of its protective nature, butyrate is a highly-desirable molecule and should be cultivated as a friend, or at least introduced as a partner.
The fiery process of inflammation is linked to most chronic disorders, from heart attack to stroke to type 2 diabetes. Inflammation fuels a cytokine known as interleukin-6 (IL-6), which remains elevated in chronic sickness. Butyrate is a rescue molecule in inflammatory diseases, wherein it impairs the oxidative processes that initiate their genesis.* By supporting a healthy inflammation response, butyrate may be helpful for many other autoimmune and inflammatory conditions.*
Butyrate inhibits enzymes that harm and unwind DNA, just like the kinked-up Slinky we ruined as kids. Butyrate sequesters harmful ammonia that forms from faulty protein metabolism and/or from inborn metabolic errors. In clearing mental fog, it increases brain-derived neurotrophic factors.* Depending on its concentration, butyrate decreases intestinal permeability, closing tight junctions and preventing leaky gut.* SCFAs in general, including butyrate, have also been shown to affect cholesterol metabolism and increase mineral absorption, which is highly beneficial for heart health and circulation health.*
Learn more about the benefits of butyrate here.
The good news is there appear to be very few side effects associated with supplementing butyrate. Our on-staff expert RD, Dr. Tom, says “All reports in the medical papers admit there are no known ill effects from butyrate taken at "normal" doses, which I have extrapolated to be less than 8.0 grams a day for several months. One study does state that more than 20.0 grams a day will waken latent herpes simplex (fever blisters). But that high a dose is not recommended.”
Dr. Tom also notes that, “colonocytes absorb butyrate supplements immediately and rapidly, with more than 95% precision and completeness. The remaining 5% goes to the toilet.” The FDA cites butyrate as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS).
Knowing that there are serious benefits to increasing your butyrate levels and not many negative side effects, how can you incorporate it into your everyday life? The two main ways to achieve this are by eating food with butyrate, or taking specialized butyrate supplements.
As we mentioned earlier, butyrate and SCFA production only come from the food we ingest and the microbial balance in the gut available to break down that food into SCFAs. Most of the foods that allow our microbiome to produce SCFAs are resistant starches, and some of them aren’t the most appetizing. But, when you’re dealing with severe digestive issues or autoimmune diseases, you may find them worth adding to your diet.
It is possible to get butyrate from the foods you consume, but in looking at the average diet, there are generally not enough slowly-digesting fibers to produce the necessary levels with food alone. That’s because a lot of the foods highest in resistant starch are not particularly appetizing, think cold mashed potatoes and white rice.
Foods that do help boost butyrate include:
For more information, check out our blog: What Foods Can Help Increase Your Butyrate Levels?
While many foods contain small amounts of butyrate-producing resistant starch, it’s still quite hard to reach the adequate amount. For this reason, ample supplementation with a butyrate supplement is vital to overall well-being.
In addition to adding butyrate-producing foods, you may also consider butyrate supplementation. Supplementing butyrate is a great way to keep your gut happy and healthy, but as always, quality matters! BodyBio Butyrate is formulated without extra additives or fillers to deliver the beneficial butyrate your gut craves without any junk. Because it’s fermented, butyrate is well known for its smell, but this is a natural byproduct of the fermentation process — don’t worry! This is exactly how it’s supposed to be.
Butyric acid on its own is quite acidic, so we pair it with different minerals to raise the pH and stabilize it for delivery to the gut. We have created Calcium Magnesium, Sodium, and Sodium Potassium Butyrate varieties depending on your needs. Due to widespread calcium and magnesium deficiency, we recommend most people start with our Calcium Magnesium Butyrate. Dozens of folks have reviewed our butyrate saying that it helped ease their digestive problems and get back to a healthy, balanced gut.
Interested in trying butyrate? Learn more here.
Sticking to a diet with high levels of butyrate can be difficult, so if you’re thinking that supplements are the better option for you, there are three general categories that products fall under. Below we discuss each in more depth, and help you make an informed decision on which is right for you.
BodyBio’s butyrates (we have three kinds!) are simply butyrate, a thirteen-atom complex joined to an alkali. Butyric acid, butyrate, and tributyrin are ingredients you may see in this category of supplements. While their names vary slightly, they all have the same purpose with different characteristics.
At BodyBio, the butyrate powder we use is covered with MCT from palm kernel oil. This is how it gets to the colon somewhat intact. If at least a little butyrate didn't get partially digested and enter the bloodstream through the walls of the small intestine, it wouldn't be able to act as an ammonia sequestrant, an HDAC inhibitor, a glucose modulator/appetite suppressant and support normal inflammation levels.*
Glycerol-bound butyrate is called tributyrin — 3 butyrates attached to a glycerol. Now, before we explain tributyrin any further, it helps to understand the concept of a prodrug. In this case, “pro” has nothing to do with for or against, but with precursor.
The term describes compounds that must undergo chemical changes within the body prior to exerting their pharmacological or therapeutic actions. One example is aspirin, which is the prodrug for salicylic acid. Aspirin, you see, is less corrosive to the pathways of the GI system. We may want the benefits of salicylic acid, but in order to get them internally, we take aspirin so that the body can convert it to salicylic acid without having to actually ingest such an acidic substance.
There are times, too, when prodrugs can sneak past pharmaceutical barriers by adjusting the delivery form. This is how tributyrin works as a stable and rapidly-absorbed prodrug of butyric acid, just like sodium butyrate, calcium-magnesium butyrate, or another form of the salt. The active portion of butyrate and tributyrin is butyric acid, which we can get by ingesting either form.
And yet — If tributyrin is butyric acid joined to a glycerol to make a compound of more than forty atoms, why not use the alkalized butyrate with a compound of fewer than twenty? This compound is much easier for the body to process and extract the benefit we want — the butyric acid.
A final option, liquid butyrate, is typically butyric acid bound to a fat like MCT oil. There are often many additives, flavorings, and sweeteners to hide the notably pungent smell of effective butyrate supplements. If you are going to go with a liquid butyrate supplement, we recommend checking your labels first.
We created BodyBio Butyrate supplements in three different types: Calcium Magnesium, Sodium, and Sodium Potassium. For most people, the Calcium Magnesium form will do just fine, but athletes or those who have low sodium levels may benefit more from the Sodium or Sodium Potassium forms. Whichever one you decide to try, you’ll get at least a 1,000 mg dose of butyric acid per two capsules.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of isobutyric acid manufacturer. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
Butyric acid is a fatty acid created when the beneficial bacteria in your gut break down dietary fiber. It also exists in small amounts in some foods like vegetable oils and animal fats. Butyric acid has numerous benefits to gut health and can play a role in repairing the gut lining. In this article, we will explore butyric acid benefits in depth.
When the beneficial bacteria in your gut break down dietary fiber, they produce a short-chain fatty acid called butyric acid, also known as butyrate and butanoic acid. This fatty acid is also present in some foods, like animal fats and vegetable oils.
Short-chain fatty acids are fatty acids that come from when beneficial bacteria break down dietary fiber, and butyric acid is one of the three most common short-chain fatty acids in the gut. The two most common short-chain fatty acids are propionic acid and acetic acid. Together these three fatty acids compose up to 95% of the short-chain fatty acids in your gut.
Short-chain fatty acids like butyric acid provide colon cells with energy. Short-chain fatty acids also modulate the tissue metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids. As a result, short-chain fatty acids can improve gut health, from maintaining intestinal barrier integrity and mucus production to protecting against inflammation and preventing digestive disorders and diseases.
While gut bacteria produce butyric acid, many people have disrupted gut microbiomes that can limit butyric acid production. Butyric acid is in foods in small amounts; however, the amounts are not significant enough to provide many benefits. Because of this, butyric acid supplements can be a great support to restoring gut health in numerous ways.
There are many butyric acid benefits. Some of the top butyric acid uses include:
Your gut lining is a single-cell thick wall that allows nutrients to pass through your bloodstream while keeping toxins out. However, poor diet, gut inflammation, Candida overgrowth, and imbalances in the gut microbiome can create tiny holes in the gut lining. When this happens, toxins and undigested food particles pass through your blood. This condition is known as intestinal permeability or leaky gut syndrome.
When someone has leaky gut syndrome, toxins leaking into the bloodstream get distributed throughout the body. As a result, they can impact the health of major organs and tissues. The body recognizes the food particles that pass through as pathogens to the immune system. The immune system then creates antibodies that attack these food particles whenever they enter the body. This immune response leads to food allergies and sensitivities that you never had before. In fact, according to research by Harvard Medical School, leaky gut is at the root of numerous health conditions.
Butyric Acid is a powerful compound that fights leaky gut by helping to repair the gut lining. It produces short-chain fatty acids that restore damaged intestinal tissue.
Butyric acid also acts on the fungal stage of candida, destroying the root-like structures that penetrate the gut lining and contribute to a leaky gut.
A leaky gut can contribute to numerous health conditions, such as:
Butyric acid can play a crucial role in healing leaky gut when used as part of a more comprehensive GI protocol.
Inflammation is a natural process of the body and is a significant function of your immune system. When your body is injured or at risk of infection from toxins or pathogens, your body has a localized inflammatory response that plays a critical role in healing.
Short-term inflammation is beneficial; however, if inflammation persists over time, it can become chronic and detrimental to your health. For example, chronic inflammation in the gut can disrupt digestive health and be harmful to the gut lining. Chronic gut inflammation is a major contributing factor to the leaky gut syndrome.
Not only can butyric acid help heal leaky gut and repair the gut lining, but it can also lower the inflammation that is a major cause of leaky gut syndrome. Of course, it is essential to focus on removing things from your diet and lifestyle that may contribute to a leaky gut in the first place. Still, butyric acid may play a beneficial role in keeping gut inflammation levels low and supporting gut healing.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common digestive disorder that affects the large intestine. People with irritable bowel syndrome may suffer from cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea or constipation, or both.
Chron’s disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that affects the lining of the digestive tract. It can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, fatigue, and anemia.
Candida is a type of yeast that naturally lives in your body in small amounts. Typically, the good bacteria in your gut and your immune system keep Candida levels under control. However, when the balance of good bacteria to yeast is not balanced, candida can grow out of control and lead to a Candida infection.
Candida yeast is single-celled fungi. When candida can grow beyond normal levels, they take on a pathogenic fungal form that travels up the intestinal wall. This form of candida can penetrate the gut lining, leading to leaky gut syndrome.
Butyric acid helps preserve the strength and integrity of the gut lining and may contain antifungal properties that can kill the fungal stage of candida. Supplementing with butyric acid may play a beneficial role in treating Candida infections and restoring damage to the gut lining caused by candida.
Some research has also shown that butyric acid may influence inflammatory markers in the liver. However, the underlying mechanism of butyric acid’s effect on liver health is still uncertain.
While butyric acid is primarily produced in the gut by beneficial bacteria, certain foods contain butyric acid. Some of the top butyric acid foods include:
Ghee and butter are the best butyric acid-rich foods as they are particularly high in short-chain fatty acids. Milk is another food rich in butyric acid. There are small amounts of butyric acid in chocolate, but only in milk chocolate, as the butyric acid exists in the milk fats. There is no butyric acid in the chocolate itself.
In the gut, butyric acid is produced by beneficial bacteria when they break down dietary fiber. Therefore, including more dietary fiber in your diet may improve butyric acid production. In addition, supplementing with high-quality probiotics may also increase the beneficial bacteria in your gut.
Prebiotic foods contain resistant starches that your body can’t break down but relies on bacteria to break down. Foods that are high in resistant starches are the best foods to consume for increasing natural butyric acid production. Some of the best prebiotic foods include:
Arabinogalactan is another highly beneficial prebiotic that comes from the larch tree and can help to increase natural butyric acid production.
While there are some butyric acid foods, supplementing with butyric acid can provide more amounts of butyric acid than those found in food, allowing you to receive more of the benefits of this beneficial fatty acid.
There is no research suggesting any side effects to supplementing with butyric acid or eating butyric acid foods. However, avoid supplementing with butyric acid if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Always consult a licensed doctor before taking dietary supplements, especially if you have pre-existing health conditions.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov//
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/leaky-gut-what-is-it-and-what-does-it-mean-for-you-
https://scholar.harvard.edu/pushpanathan/publications/leaky-gut-syndrome-mystery-illness-triggered-candida-albicans
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK/