Determination of butyric acid dosage based on clinical and ...

Abstract

Short-chain fatty acids produced by bacteria living in the large intestine are the main energy substrate for the colonocytes. Butyric acid is used for the treatment and prevention of exacerbations of various gastrointestinal diseases: diarrhoea, intestinal inflammations, functional disorders, dysbiosis, and post-surgery or post-chemotherapy conditions. The current standard doses of butyric acid (150&#;300 mg) range between 1.5&#;3% and 15&#;30% of the reported daily demand. Increased metabolism of the colonocytes in conditions involving intestine damage or inflammation, increased energy expenditure during a disease, stimulation of intestine growth in &#;stress&#; conditions with accelerated intestinal passage and increased intestinal excretion, and decreased production of endogenous butyrate due to changes in bacterial flora in different pathological conditions require a significant increase of the supply of this acid. Physiological high demand for butyrate and known mechanisms of pathological conditions indicate that current supplementation doses do not cover the demand and their increase should be considered.

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Keywords: butyrate, irritable bowel syndrome, dosage, short-chain fatty acids

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) are produced by bacteria dwelling in the large intestine. They are a product of the metabolism of polysaccharides that are not digested by the digestive system enzymes. At the same time, they are the main energy substrate for the epithelial cells of the intestinal mucosa. More and more scientific reports focus on the significance of SCFA and in particular that of butyric acid [1].

Butyric acid present in the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract is indispensable for maintenance of normal homoeostasis of the mucosa cells. It conditions their normal metabolism (as the basic source of energy) and proliferation, and it is responsible for regeneration and repair processes. It stimulates local cellular response, maintains intestinal barrier integrity, and inhibits tumour cell differentiation [2, 3]. It also has a favourable effect on the intestinal microbiome [1] by stimulation of the growth of the saprophytic flora and by an inhibitory effect on the development of other pathogens, such as Escherichia coli, Campylobacter, or Salmonella [4].

Butyric acid is increasingly used as a supportive agent in the treatment and prevention of exacerbations of various diseases and disorders of the digestive tract, such as diarrhoea (specific and non-specific), inflammatory conditions (non-specific bowel inflammation, diverticulitis, diversion colitis, radiation-induced bowel inflammation), functional disturbances (irritable bowel syndrome), dysbiosis, and post-surgery (resections, short bowel syndrome) or post-chemotherapy conditions. Recently, it has been stressed that SCFA affect not only processes occurring in the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract but also other systems and organs, such as circulatory or nervous systems, through mechanisms associated with the intestinal barrier, carbohydrate metabolism, immunomodulation, and appetite control, and with an effect on obesity [5].

150&#;300 mg/day is the most common dosage recommendation for currently available butyric acid products. It is not easy to determine the optimal dose of butyric acid supplementation, and the results of the studies conducted to date are often highly inconclusive. High viscosity of the intestinal contents, the presence of bacterial biofilm and mucus layer on the mucosa surface, and rapid absorption of SCFA make it difficult to determine their concentration on the mucous membrane surface itself. On the other hand, SCFA concentration in the intestinal lumen or faeces does not reflect the rate of their production [6].

Physiologically, butyric acid, like other SCFA, is a product of anaerobic bacterial fermentation of resistant starch and food fibres. The total concentration of SCFA in the intestinal lumen varies between 60 and 150 mmol/kg, and their daily production in the large intestine of a healthy individual is 300&#;400 mmol [4, 7]. This translates into 50&#;70 mmol of butyric acid or about 5.5&#;7.5 g/day. According to some studies, the physiological range of butyrate concentrations in the intestinal lumen is between 1 and 10 mmol/l of the food content [8], which, assuming a daily production of 9 l of the intestinal content, corresponds to 9&#;90 mmol/day, i.e. 1&#;10 g/day. The daily demand for butyric acid in physiological conditions falls therefore within a very wide range of mg/day to as much as 10,000 mg/day, which should be covered by fermentation processes of resistant starch and food fibres. However, in the Western population insufficient supply of these nutrients is observed, which can explain the rapidly growing incidence of all types of gastrointestinal diseases, both inflammatory, neoplastic, and functional. In studies with significantly increased supply of fibre in the diet growth of probiotic bacteria such as Bifidobacterium (BfB) and Lactobacillus (Lab), improved condition of the intestinal mucosa, and even reduced risk of cancer of the lower colon segments were observed [9]. It seems that similar effects may be obtained by increased supplementation with butyric acid products.

In the analysis of the daily demand for butyric acid it is noticeable that the currently used standard doses of 150&#;300 mg represent only 15&#;30% of the lowest daily demand reported, or they are even as low as 1.5&#;3% if the highest possible values are taken into consideration. Thus, even under physiological conditions the current supplementation doses are low or even very low, and their increase may be considered. The possibility of dose increase depends on the formulation of butyric acid because packing more than 300 mg of butyrate into a single capsule is a technical limitation here. Of course, the dose of &#;clean&#; (non-enveloped) butyrate may be increased, but this form is absorbed already in the upper gastrointestinal tract and reaches the intestine at a much lower concentration. Therefore, to achieve effective supplementation (with adequately high butyrate doses), the forms of butyrate supply should be optimised.

Animal studies showing beneficial trophic or anti-inflammatory effects are usually carried out with use of much higher doses of butyric acid. In an experiment where mice were administered 11 g of butyrate in drinking water per day (i.e. about 55 g/kg of body weight!) an improvement of the immune functions of the intestinal epithelium was shown, which, according to the authors, may be an important mechanism of prevention of several chronic diseases [10]. In another study, conducted on birds, butyrate was used at a dose of mg/kg of body weight, and a reduction of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) levels as well as increased activity of peroxide dismutase and of catalase were observed [11]. This confirms an anti-inflammatory effect of butyrate. Of course, animal test results cannot be directly translated into human test results; however, much higher doses of butyrate are used also in clinical trials. An example is the above-mentioned publication with a dose of 4 g of butyrate per day in obese and healthy patients [12]. Efficacy of high doses was confirmed by a study in which healthy individuals received enemas containing 100 mmol of butyrate. Anti-inflammatory effect, an increase in glutathione antioxidation, and a decrease of uric acid production were achieved in this study [13]. High doses of butyrate may thus have a favourable metabolic effect as well because they may exert epigenetic action [14]. Very good clinical results of high doses of butyrate ( mg/day) were found in patients with mild to moderate Crohn&#;s disease [15]. A very good clinical effect was found in the majority of patients, as well as remission of lesions on endoscopic examination and a decrease of white blood cells (WBC) counts and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and IL-1β activity.

However, particular attention should be paid to conditions with an increased demand for SCFA. They will be described below, but their common features include an increased demand for butyric acid on one hand, and reduction of its endogenous production on the other (lack of appetite, dietary restrictions, limited volume of the eaten food, malabsorption, disturbances in the composition of the saprophytic intestinal flora responsible for physiological fermentation processes). Taking into consideration the increased demand with concurrent reduction of endogenous production, additional supplementation with butyric acid seems particularly important for the achievement of the expected optimal clinical outcomes.

Causes of increased demand:

1. Enhanced metabolism of intestinal epithelial cells in conditions with damage/inflammation of these cells.

2. Increased energy expenditure of the organism in pathological conditions.

3. Stimulation of intestine growth in &#;stress&#; situations

4. Conditions with accelerated intestinal passage and increased secretion into the lumen of the intestine (diarrhoea).

5. Decreased production of endogenous butyric acid due to changes in bacterial flora in different pathological conditions.

6. Other conditions associated with increased demand for butyric acid in the digestive tract.

1. Butyric acid is used by intestinal epithelial cells, especially in processes associated with their intensive proliferation, related to inflammation, damage, and subsequent repair processes. It is difficult to quantify the level of this increase in demand, and there are few data in the subject literature. However, some analogies may be assumed, where in tissue and wound regeneration, metabolic demand increases by a factor of 1.6&#;2.0 with respect to the basic demand. It should be borne in mind that the energy demand of the intestinal epithelial cells is mainly covered by energy substrates available in the intestinal lumen, i.e. predominantly by butyric acid. The dose of butyric acid should therefore be increased accordingly during inflammatory conditions. This finds confirmation in clinical studies. In one of the studies on the treatment of ulcerative colitis butyric acid was used in the form of enema at doses of 40 mmol/l to up to 100 mmol/l, which corresponds to 4.4&#;11 g/l. For 200 ml enemas this translates into 800&#; mg/enema. Very good clinical outcomes were observed with these doses, with no side effects [16]. Similar observations were made in patients with a related condition, who received sodium butyrate enemas at a dose of mg/l with very good effect [17]. In animal studies, significantly higher doses of butyrate are used successfully. In one of these studies, supplementation with butyrate was used in pigs with induced ulcerative colitis. With use of butyrate at a dose of mg/kg body weight, a significant preventive effect with respect to intestine damage was achieved, through inhibition of apoptosis, improvement of tight junctions between cells, which improved the integrity of the intestinal barrier and activation of the endothelial growth factor (EGF) that stimulates regeneration processes [18]. This confirms the hypothesis that inflammation and regeneration conditions in the gastrointestinal tract causing a significant increase of energy demand of mucosal cells [19] may require higher doses of butyrate.

2. In most diseases and pathological conditions, especially those with regeneration, healing, and proliferation processes, the demand of the entire organism is increasing. If a patient undergoes surgical treatment, this should be taken into account in the calculations, and the demand for energy should be multiplied by a factor of 1.2 for patients after medium-extent surgical procedures (laparoscopy), by a factor 1.6 for patients after more extensive procedures, and even by a factor of 1.8 in case of large wounds with exudate, inflammatory reactions, or infections [20]. The energy demand of different organs varies. The intraperitoneal organs, including intestines, pancreas, spleen, and stomach, which account for 6% of the body&#;s weight, use 20&#;35% of the body&#;s total energy demand, and the intestines themselves &#; about 12&#;20% [21]. In overweight patients, in patients with concurrent diseases, and in cachectic patients, energy demand of the visceral organs may increase at various treatment stages and may be difficult to cover [22]. A small proportion of this demand comes from blood vessels, and the vast majority of this demand is covered by SCFA. This indicates, on one hand, the importance and role of enteric nutrition, and on the other hand it justifies an increase in the dose of butyrate for all indications in patients with increased energy demand (patients after trauma or surgery, patients on rehabilitation or practising intensive exercise, cachectic patients, and cancer patients).

3. In the recent years, a very interesting observation emerged, that during various pathological and energy-consuming processes (surgical procedures, exposure to low temperatures, lactation, restrictions in caloric supply) the cells of the mucous membrane are stimulated to grow and proliferate. This may be a compensatory mechanism whose aim is to improve absorption and to prepare the body for better, i.e. more efficient, use of the food provided. The mechanism of this phenomenon is complex and still under investigation. One of the explanations is increased metabolism of the white fatty tissue, which induces secretion of a number of mediators (probably including leptin) that stimulate, via hypothalamus, intestine growth and cause increased supply of food (through the sensation of hunger) [23]. Experimental models have also shown that deficits in energy supply (&#;caloric restriction&#;) lead to intestine growth, both quantitative (increase in organ mass and size) and qualitative (increase in intestinal cell amount) [24]. A very interesting study was conducted in a group of overweight patients with metabolic syndrome. Within that study, both the study group and a healthy control group received mg of sodium butyrate per day. Decreased inflammatory activity of several investigated molecules and monocytes was observed in that study, which was particularly evident in the group of obese patients. This high dose of butyrate (almost eight times higher than the maximum dose currently recommended for butyric acid products available on the Polish market) showed a positive anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effect without side effects or adverse reactions [12].

   In various pathological conditions, the demand of intestinal epithelial cells for energy can therefore increase significantly, due to intense proliferation of intestinal epithelium, i.e. increasing number of cells requiring energy substrates (butyric acid among them, to a large extent), high metabolism level, and concurrent increase in energy demand of the other organs. Because of the above, intestinal epithelial cells must cover the highest possible proportion of the increased energy demand by using substrates available in the digestive tract, i.e. mainly butyric acid, which justifies an increase in its supply.

4. In many situations, intestinal passage is accelerated and there is increased secretion into the intestinal lumen. This is associated, on one hand, with disturbances of the absorption ability of the intestinal epithelial cells, and on the other hand &#; with their increased energy expenditure. Another important consequence is decreased production of endogenous SCFA, because there is not enough time for natural fermentation of resistant starch and food fibre to occur. A significant reduction of SCFA production in patients with antibiotic-induced diarrhoea may be an example here. The use of antibiotics itself, without concurrent diarrhoea, also caused a decrease of SCFA levels, including the level of butyric acid, when dicloxacillin, erythromycin, and combined intravenous therapy with ampicillin and metronidazole were used [25]. The use of antibiotics, through their negative effect on the saprophytic intestinal flora, is a factor that significantly impairs the ability of intestinal epithelial cells to cover their energy demand in a physiological manner. This effect is greater during diarrhoea, which accelerates the passage time. This is confirmed by studies showing a favourable effect of supplementation with selected fatty acids in patients with travellers&#; diarrhoea, including butyric acid at a dose of mg/day in the form of sodium butyrate [26]. A very good clinical effect was found in that study, without side effects or adverse reactions.

   The clinical situations described above may therefore be an indication and justification for an increase of the dose of butyric acid supplementation in this group of patients.

5. A normal level of endogenous butyric acid production, as well as of other SCFA, depends on the physiological intestinal flora. Various types of microbiome disturbance may lead to a significant decrease of SCFA production [25]. Adverse changes within the intestinal microbiome may occur in several other conditions, often apparently unrelated. In a model of induced stroke in monkeys, significant changes in the intestinal microbiome were found; first of all, decreased amounts of Faecalibacterium, Oscillospira and Lactobacillus. This resulted in a significant decrease of endogenous fatty acid levels [26, 27]. This study shows, on one hand, how apparently unrelated conditions can negatively affect the SCFA level, and on the other hand it confirms the complexity of the intestine-brain axis mechanism. It is difficult to draw far-reaching clinical conclusions, but these are the mechanisms that can explain very frequent diagnosis of functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract in neurological patients. Recent studies demonstrating that in patients with Alzheimer&#;s disease a significant decline in fermenting bacteria and associated endogenous SCFA levels occur [28] indicate, on one hand, how complex the mechanisms leading to the SCFA deficit may be, and, on the other hand, how important SCFA supplementation in neurological diseases can be. The decrease of endogenous SCFA levels may justify an increase of the dose of butyrate supplementation.

6. The above-mentioned conditions associated with increased energy demand decreased the production of endogenous SCFA or their increased loss do not, of course, cover the entire broad spectrum of clinical situations where the demand for butyric acid rises. First of all, it should be recognised that a significant proportion of SCFA, including butyric acid, is absorbed along the entire length of the digestive tract. Of course, commercially available products protect butyrate in special matrices, but always some part of it will be absorbed earlier, and most of the diseases requiring butyric acid supplementation affect the lower digestive tract, including its distal parts. Studies with administration of butyric acid to chickens showed its very high absorption already at the level of the duodenum. A favourable trophic effect, growth stimulation, and optimisation of the function of the duodenal mucosa were found. Therefore, this seems to justify an increase in butyrate supplementation dose, as, on one hand, pathological conditions may also increase absorption in the upper part of the digestive tract and, on the other hand, provision of adequately high doses to the lower gastrointestinal tract should be aimed at [29]. Publications showing a role of SCFA after surgeries of the gastrointestinal tract (resections, anastomoses) as well as of the abdominal cavity (laparotomy, peritonitis, pancreatitis) are very interesting. The decrease in SCFA (levels), including butyric acid (levels), has been shown to have a negative effect on the integrity of the intestinal barrier and the tightness (normal healing) of anastomoses [30]. The conditions that are indication for surgery (inflammatory conditions, cancers) increase the demand for butyric acid, and surgery additionally raises this demand in a specific (anastomosis healing) and non-specific (increased energy demand due to surgical trauma and healing) way. Taking the above into consideration, it should be assumed that supplementation with high doses of butyrate in this group of patients is fully justified, both in the preoperative and in the postoperative period.

Supplementation with increased butyric acid doses seems to be particularly important in patients using substances, especially in cigarette smokers and alcohol drinkers, as well as in patients with other metabolic diseases, such as diabetes.

Alcohol significantly disturbs the intestinal microbiota, the final result of which is a significant decrease in production of endogenous fatty acids. Alcohol is also a factor that increases oxidative stress and increases the production of a number of its associated cytokines, such as tetradecane [31]. Decreased production of SCFA is also noted in patients smoking cigarettes, in whom microbiome changes are observed, predominantly in the form of decreased counts of fermenting bacteria responsible for the production of endogenous SCFA [32]. Smoking is also a factor that directly damages the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract [33], which activates energy-consuming regeneration and repair processes and justifies supplementation with increased doses of butyrate. Particular attention should be paid to the appropriate dose of butyrate in persons who are both alcohol consumers and smokers [33].

Metabolic diseases also affect the level of endogenous fatty acids, which may lead both to a decrease in their content in the lumen of the digestive tract and to an increase in demand. Diabetes may be one of the examples, where significant microbiome changes in microbiome and decreased production of butyric acid are observed [34]. On the other hand, it is known that the supply of endogenous butyric acid can have a positive effect on the normalisation of bacterial flora [35], as well as on the efficiency of the immune system [36].

In light of available literature and pharmacological and clinical data, it should be concluded that butyric acid is a safe drug, with a very high safe and tolerated dose. In clinical conditions, it is practically impossible to overdose butyrate in a patient, both during drug studies and when used by a patient. No clinical side effects were observed in healthy volunteers administered therapeutic doses. No toxicity or adverse effects were observed in patients in clinical trials with a mixture of SCFA in the form of enemas containing from 40 mmol/l to 100 mmol/l [16, 17]. In clinical trials with oral drug administration, the safety of the use of butyrate and the absence of side effects, as well as its fully physiological mechanism of action, are emphasised [37]. Even with doses significantly higher than the standard currently recommended doses, reaching mg/day [26] or even mg/day [15], no adverse reactions or side effects were observed, and good tolerance of oral butyrate was underlined.

It can therefore be concluded that butyric acid is a substance with physiological action, showing a high safety level, both at the current standard doses and at significantly higher doses (four or six times higher). The need to increase the dose of butyrate supplementation is supported by many of the above-mentioned reasons, and such a dose increase is safe for the patient within the range specified above.

Short-chain fatty acids, including first of all butyric acid, are essential for the proper function of the gastrointestinal tract. This demand may increase significantly across the whole range of diseases and gastrointestinal dysfunctions, which justifies supplementation at higher doses than those used at present. The most important factors supporting such action are the following:

1. Physiological high demand of the epithelial cells for butyric acid, which is their primary energy substrate; current supplementation doses cover only a small proportion of the demand.

2. The trend observed in developed countries toward a decline in the production of endogenous SCFA, which may not even cover physiological needs.

3. A large number of pathological conditions or clinical situations that significantly increase the demand for SCFA, notably by enhancing the metabolism of the epithelial cells and their energy demand.

4. Frequent coexistence of these conditions and the greater demand of intestinal epithelial cells at concurrent reduction of the production of endogenous SCFA, including butyric acid. One can say about a sort of &#;SCFA paradox&#; here: &#;the more our digestive tract needs SCFA, the more difficult it is to provide substrates and to maintain normal microbiome to assure endogenous SCFA production&#;.

5. Clinical and experimental observations confirming good effects of the use of high doses of butyrate in different pathological conditions.

6. Safety of high doses and no side effects or adverse reactions.

Conflict of interest

The authors whose names are listed immediately below certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest, or non-financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

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Check social media, and you&#;ll find thousands of glowing posts for the latest microbiome buzzword: #butyrate.

From TikTok to Instagram to Twitter, users and advertisers are posting shoutouts to this short-chain fatty acid, claiming it aids in everything from digestion to depression. Butyrate enthusiasts are adding fiber-rich sauerkraut to soup, bingeing on butter and kombucha, and taking supplements to boost levels in their bodies.

But what is butyrate, and can it really do all that its fans say it does? Or is it all hype and no help?

Early evidence, mostly from animal studies, suggests the truth may lie somewhere in between. Registered dietitian and gut microbiome researcher Gail Cresci, PhD, RD, explains what you need to know about butyrate.

What is butyrate?

Butyrate is produced when &#;good&#; bacteria in your gut help your body break down dietary fiber in your large intestine (colon). It&#;s one of several short-chain fatty acids, which are named for their chemical structure.

Dr. Cresci has studied butyrate for more than a decade. &#;It&#;s amazing how many beneficial things it does for the body,&#; she says.

Want more information on butyric acid benefits? Feel free to contact us.

Butyrate (pronounced &#;byoo-ter-ate&#;) plays an important role in digestive system health by providing the main energy source for your colon cells; it meets about 70% of their energy needs. And it may provide other health benefits, too, including supporting your immune system, reducing inflammation and preventing diseases like cancer.

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What are the types of butyrate?

One type of butyrate is butyric (or butanoic) acid, a chemically modified version of butyrate sometimes used in foods and supplements.

Other types include:

• Ethyl butyrate (flavor enhancer).
• Hydrocortisone butyrate (corticosteroid).
• Sodium butyrate (used in supplements).

Where can I find butyrate?

Butter is a good source of butyrate, but you&#;d need to eat far more of it than is recommended; it&#;s high in saturated fat and can raise your risk of cardiovascular disease. Instead, boost your body&#;s butyrate levels by increasing your daily fiber intake with plant-based foods.

Because your body doesn&#;t break down fiber during the digestion process, it&#;s left for your gut bacteria to break down. Your healthy gut bacteria produce butyrate from dietary soluble, fermentable fibers that only they can break down.

Other sources include prebiotics and supplements that are high in fiber.

Foods to enhance butyrate production

You can promote butyrate production by consuming foods high in fermentable fiber. For excellent natural sources, eat a healthy diet rich in:

• Fruit.
• Legumes.
• Vegetables.
• Whole grains.
• Resistant starches like boiled potatoes and rice.

Let&#;s break down some of those categories a little bit further.

Fruits

Many fruits contain fermentable fibers, including:

Veggies and legumes

Vegetables and legumes high in fiber include:

• Artichokes.
• Asparagus.
• Broccoli.
• Carrots.
• Chickpeas.
• Garlic.
• Green peas.
• Leafy greens.
• Onions.
• Potatoes.
• Turnip greens.

Full-fat dairy products

It&#;s wise to consume these foods in moderation (no more than 5% to 6% of your total daily calories) because they&#;re high in saturated fat and cholesterol. They include:

• Butter.
• Cheese.
• Ghee.
• Milk (cow, sheep, goat, etc.).

If you don&#;t consume much fiber, add it slowly to your diet and drink plenty of liquids to maintain hydration. You may experience some gas or bloating, but it&#;ll begin to subside in a couple of days, says Dr. Cresci.

&#;If you eat a lot of fiber and don&#;t drink a lot of water, you can get really constipated,&#; she says. &#;Also, look at your urine. Aim for a light yellow throughout the day, which means you&#;re adequately hydrated.&#;

Butyrate and butyric acid supplements

Some supplements may encourage butyrate production, but you should talk to your healthcare provider before taking any. Most supplements use butyric acid and some kind of salt, but they haven&#;t been proven to be beneficial.

&#;The best way to get butyrate is to eat fresh fruits and vegetables that contain soluble fermentable fiber,&#; Dr. Cresci advises. &#;Feed your body so that it makes butyrate for you.&#;

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What might lower my butyrate levels?

You may have low butyrate levels and a higher risk of infection or inflammation in your gut if:

• You don&#;t eat enough foods that help your body produce butyrate.
• You eat foods that lower the levels of butyrate-producing bacteria in your body, like a low-carbohydrate or high-protein and/or fat diet. These foods reduce dietary fiber intake, which means less butyrate.
• Your body is less able to produce and absorb butyrate due to certain medications (antibiotics) or you have disturbance in your gut microbiome due to chronic disease, such as Type 2 diabetes.

What does butyrate do for my body?

Early research shows that butyrate can benefit your gut health, but we need more investigation to understand how it works in people and whether it has other benefits. Butyrate could encourage weight loss, stabilize blood sugars, maintain or improve intestinal function, and protect against or help treat disease.

Here are some benefits butyrate is thought to do for your body.

1. Reduce inflammation

Studies have shown that butyrate supplements may reduce the severity of disease-causing (pathogenic) bacterial infection by lessening inflammation. This could help prevent potentially fatal conditions such as sepsis.

Researchers have also linked low levels of butyrate to an increased risk of inflammatory intestinal disease and colorectal (colon) cancer.

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2. Relieve gastrointestinal conditions

Butyrate supports the gut barrier, which keeps bacteria and other microbes from entering your blood. A sodium butyrate supplement may help with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diverticulitis and Crohn&#;s disease.

In one study, 66 adults with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who took a daily dose of sodium butyrate reported less abdominal pain. In another study, 9 of 13 people with Crohn&#;s disease reported improved symptoms after taking butyric acid every day for eight weeks.

3. Reduce colon cancer risk

Other research shows that a diet high in dietary fiber, which encourages butyrate production, could help lower your risk of colon cancer.

One laboratory study in human cancer cell lines found that sodium butyrate stopped the growth of colorectal cancer cells and caused cancer cell death (known as apoptosis). It&#;s also been shown to reduce damage caused by cancer or chemotherapy.

4. Increase insulin sensitivity

People with Type 2 diabetes often experience insulin resistance and obesity. Because butyrate helps produce gut hormones that regulate blood sugar levels, it may improve these symptoms. One study showed a potential link between butyrate production and lower insulin resistance.

5. Protect your brain

Butyrate-friendly foods and supplements may improve brain health. Researchers have shown that butyrate can protect your brain and improve its ability to adapt (known as plasticity).

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Early studies suggest it may help prevent or treat stroke, depression and other diseases that affect the brain, like Parkinson&#;s disease and Alzheimer&#;s disease.

6. Treat cardiovascular disease

Some studies suggest that butyrate may help protect your body against widespread cardiovascular diseases. Heart and blood vessel problems can increase your risk of:

7. Enhance sleep

The promise of butyrate extends all the way to your bedroom. Emerging evidence suggests that your gut bacteria are a source of signals that promote sleep.

A study showed that mice and rats who received butyrate showed a dramatic increase in non-rapid-eye movement (NREM) sleep for four hours after treatment. NREM includes important stages of sleep for your physical and mental health.

How much butyric acid do I need?

It&#;s not yet clear exactly how much butyrate you need. According to the United States Department of Agricultures (USDA), the recommended intake for dietary fiber is 25 grams per day for women and 35 grams per day for men, or about 28 grams as part of a 2,000-calorie daily diet. Your value may be higher or lower, depending on your calorie intake. This fiber should be a mixture of soluble (butyrate-generating) and insoluble sources.

Does butyrate have any side effects?

We need more research to know if butyrate is safe and at what levels, but here are a few concerns worth noting:

• Some healthcare providers suggest avoiding butyric acid supplements if you&#;re pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Butyrate has also been shown to trigger symptoms in people with bloating or a sensitive gut (food intolerance) who need lower fiber levels.
• In people with obesity who already have high levels of butyrate, supplementation may not be a good idea.

In other words, more butyrate isn&#;t necessarily better. As always, when it comes to supplements, don&#;t take advice from TikTok celebs. Talk to your healthcare provider instead.

Are you interested in learning more about isobutyric acid manufacturer? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!