Can butyrate be used orally to treat any conditions? Is the way butyrate is absorbed in the gut when taken orally a deterrent to its therapeutic use? Our compounding pharmacy makes sodium butyrate and short-chain fatty acid enemas and suppositories. We do not make the oral forms, as they are widely available over the counter as supplements. Some recent research suggests that taking butyrate orally may help certain conditions. Is the research significant enough to warrant it being prescribed for conditions like childhood obesity?
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Butyrate is produced when dietary fiber is broken down by bacteria in your gut. It is a byproduct of fermentation that plays a significant role in maintaining colonic health. In fact, butyrate provides up to 70% of the total energy requirements of colonic cells. During the digestive process, fiber is not broken down. Bacteria instead break it down in a fermentation process.
Certain foods are more likely to increase butyrate than others because they are high in particular types of fermentable fibers. Fruit, legumes, vegetables, whole grains, and resistant starches (like rice and potatoes) increase butyrate production.
A recent placebo-controlled clinical trial aimed to discover if butyrate taken orally could be effective. The Butyrate Against Pediatric Obesity (BAPO) trial was conducted to determine the efficacy of oral butyrate in managing obesity in patients aged 5 to 17 years old. In this study, participants were given standard care for obesity with the addition of 20 mg/kg body weight sodium butyrate capsules per day; another group of participants was given a placebo. The maximum dosage for butyrate was 800 mg per day.
At 6 months, a BMI decrease of 0.25 SDS (Standard Deviation Score) or more at 6 months was observed more often in the butyrate group compared to the placebo group. In addition, decreases were seen in waist circumference, insulin level, ghrelin level, and IL-6 level, which were more significant in the butyrate treatment group.
Oral butyrate is not able to treat conditions affecting the colon when taken orally. The butyrate is absorbed in the gut before it can reach its targeted destination. Therefore, it has little effect on colonic butyrate levels. Instead, it must be administered rectally.
Crohn&#;s and ulcerative colitis are sometimes treated with a rectally administered form of butyrate. Our compounding pharmacy makes both enemas and suppositories containing sodium butyrate. These can be used for treating conditions affecting the colon that are associated with decreased levels of butyrate. Butyrate is part of a subgroup of fatty acids called short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which also include acetate and propionate. In other formulations, all three SCFAs can be included in an enema or suppository.
Butyrate continues to be studied for other health conditions. Research has shown that the balance of the gut microbiome is essential for the health of the entire body. Butyrate levels have been associated with oral health, blood vessel conditions, and more. New research should focus on administration methods and dosage forms for butyrate to help increase its efficacy for these conditions.
Butyrate effective for treating pediatric obesity &#; Contemporary Pediatrics
Effects of oral butyrate supplementation on inflammatory potential of circulating peripheral blood mononuclear cells in healthy and obese males &#; Scientific Reports
Fighting diseases naturally by maximizing gut health may be as simple as adding butyrate foods to a healthy meal plan. Butyrate is a four-carbon, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) produced during dietary fiber fermentation by microbes in the lower digestive tract.
Studies show that butyrate offers an array of health benefits, including less inflammation, reduced obesity, and improved intestinal health. The purpose of this article is to explore the nutritious foods rich in butyrate, ways to test for butyrate deficiency and signs that warrant butyrate testing.
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Butyrate offers numerous health and wellness benefits.
Butyrate is a SCFA produced by healthy gut bacteria that break down dietary fiber. The primary source of butyrate is microbial fermentation in the colon. Consuming certain foods can increase butyrate production.
Butyrate is important in supporting gut health, including maintaining the intestinal lining, reducing inflammation, obesity, and diabetes, and strengthening immune function. This SCFA is also a main energy source for colon cells, as it meets about 70% of this need.
Other potential health benefits of butyrate include better sleep, improved insulin resistance, enhanced brain health, fewer gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, and a lower risk of heart disease.
Maintaining sufficient amounts of butyrate offers an array of benefits. Adequate levels of butyrate in the body provide beneficial effects on metabolic function, digestive health, and even mental health because of the gut-brain axis. Butyrate also helps prevent certain diseases, including colon cancer.
At an extraintestinal level, butyrate is potentially useful for improving metabolic diseases, blood disorders, high cholesterol, insulin resistance, and stroke.
Studies show that butyrate aids in reducing inflammation, diminishing obesity, and improving overall intestinal health. Sufficient amounts of butyrate can reduce the risk of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), allergies, rheumatoid arthritis, high blood pressure, insomnia, Parkinson&#;s disease, type 2 diabetes, anxiety, and long COVID.
Examples of butyrate foods, or foods that increase butyrate levels in the body, include:
Dietary fiber is vital for producing butyrate through microbial fermentation. Fiber is present in fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains (plant-based foods).
Foods high in prebiotics include:
Prebiotics are also available as supplements.
Foods that enhance butyrate production include:
Drink a lot of water when increasing your intake of high-fiber foods to maintain proper hydration. If you develop bloating or gas, these symptoms should subside within a few days after eating more fiber. Drinking more water also reduces the risk of constipation.
Butyrate is available in dietary supplements (often in the form of sodium butyrate or calcium/magnesium butyrate), though there are potential risks and benefits associated with using these SCFAs to boost butyrate levels in the body.
While butyrate supplements can indeed increase butyrate, it&#;s most beneficial to boost levels by eating nutritious butyrate foods.
Are you interested in learning more about butyric acid benefits? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
Potential side effects linked to butyrate supplements include GI symptoms in people prone to bloating or those who have food intolerances and a sensitive gut.
Individuals who already have high levels of butyrate in their bodies don&#;t need butyrate supplements, and some healthcare providers recommend avoiding such supplements for women who are breastfeeding or pregnant.
Furthermore, butyrate supplements are not as tightly regulated by the FDA as foods and medications.
There are times when butyrate supplementation may be beneficial.
Common forms of butyrate supplements include:
While sodium butyrate is a common form of butyrate supplement, studies show that tributyrin may have better bioavailability in the body compared to sodium butyrate and other forms. However, researchers found that tributyrin may induce headaches, nausea, or other side effects in some people.
Probiotic and prebiotic supplements also help enhance a healthy microbiome and improve overall gut health.
Supplementing with butyrate could be indicated for individuals with low levels of SCFAs discovered through diagnostic testing.
Butyrate supplements may benefit people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and other gastrointestinal conditions because butyrate aids in maintaining the integrity of the intestinal lining and the gut barrier.
It is unclear how much butyrate is needed to achieve optimal gut health and overall wellness. The current standard (and most common) dosing recommendations for butyric acid are 150-300 milligrams.
The recommended fiber intake for adults 50 years or younger is 25 grams for women and 38 grams daily for men. Adults older than 50 need 21 grams (women) or at least 30 grams daily (men).
Testing for butyrate deficiency helps providers determine if a patient is a candidate for dietary changes or butyrate supplementation.
Due to butyrate&#;s rapid metabolism, measuring levels directly can be challenging. Therefore, indirect markers of butyrate production and overall gut health are needed.
Gut health lab tests to consider include:
Stool testing assesses gut microbiota composition and SCFA levels. Examples include:
Blood tests assess inflammatory markers and related factors. They can directly measure the amount of butyrate, acetate, and propionate in the bloodstream.
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Understanding lab testing outcomes in the context of overall patient health is vital. Proper medical interpretation of lab test results offers opportunities for effective, personalized treatment recommendations. Butyrate test results that fall outside of the suggested range warrant further investigation.
Several signs may indicate a need for butyrate deficiency screening in patients.
Symptoms of low butyrate include:
Individuals might also develop worsening high blood pressure, allergies, arthritis pain, and other health problems associated with lower butyrate levels.
Risk factors for low butyrate include:
Maintaining exceptional gut health by eating nutritious foods and taking dietary supplements when needed are some of the best ways to balance butyrate and reduce the risk of diseases and their complications.
Signs that may require diagnostic testing and medical advice include:
It&#;s important to address potential causes of butyrate deficiency using diagnostic testing to establish the most effective personalized treatment plans for patients. Obtaining a comprehensive medical history and completing a physical exam helps screen for underlying medical conditions and establish which lab tests are the most beneficial.
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Butyrate in foods and supplements provides an array of health and wellness benefits.
Patients should seek medical advice at the first sign of new or unusual symptoms suggesting low butyrate levels.
For more information, please visit isobutyric acid manufacturer.