Butyrate in microbiome abates a host of ills, studies find - UW Medicine

While there are routine reminders to eat fiber, whole foods, the right vegetables and the right carbohydrates, one important topic is typically left out of the conversation on a diet for a healthy gut, said Dr. Chris Damman, a gastroenterologist with the University of Washington School of Medicine. He studies the effect of nutrition on health by way of the microbiome.

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In his clinical research and his new blog, Gut Bites, Damman explores how nourishing gut bacteria with the right foods will generate the necessary short-chain fatty acids that protect against, or reduce, symptoms in a variety of conditions. Recent studies have found that butyrate or butyrate-producing microbes protect against or are associated with less severe symptoms from a long list of chronic inflammation-related conditions: allergies, irritable bowel syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, high blood pressure, insomnia, anxiety, type 2 diabetes, and even some symptoms of long COVID.  

In the past couple of years a growing number of high impact papers have pointed to the importance of the molecule.

“These studies are still early, and many are in the realm of animal models or epidemiological associations, but the building body of evidence might just be a guiding light. The majority of people, especially in high income settings, may have a microbe-related nutrient deficiency that has been linked to many of the chronic diseases that affect our society,” Damman said.

“Butyrate could be the vitamin D of the next decade: the sunshine from within molecule.” Damman said. “Only 5% percent of us are eating enough fiber, and in effect, getting enough butyrate from our microbiomes. I think that contributes to some of these chronic diseases we’ve been seeing in high-income countries, and that are now on the rise in lower- and middle-income countries.”

Butyrate is known to feed the cells lining the colon, promote a healthy gut barrier, and prevent “leaky gut”.  This keeps bacterial products from crossing into the blood and brain and causing inflammation. 

“What is less appreciated is that butyrate, even at low levels, has direct effects on immune cells and neurons in the gut, body and brain,” Damman said.

This doesn’t mean rushing to your doctor and asking for a butyrate infusion or pill, he cautioned.

“People's knee jerk will be to consider giving butyrate therapeutically,” he said. “This has been done in metabolic disease, but with limited benefit.”

The best way to enhance butyrate in your system is literally to feed your gut bacteria (which include Bifidobacterium, Faecalibacterium, Eubacterium, and Roseburia). Butyrate is produced when these bacteria in the lower gut feast on fiber found in foods like whole grains (for example, oatmeal, brown rice, whole wheat), legumes (such as beans, lentils, chickpeas), fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Even dark chocolate is a source. 

“Then you get butyrate at the right time, in the right place, and in the right amounts”, said Damman.

One should consider eating a variety of different high-fiber foods because diversity in our diet means diversity on our gut microbiomes, Damman said.  It is recommended that you get about 25 to 35 grams of fiber a day. 

But sometimes getting enough fiber in whole foods alone can be tough for many individuals with busy lives. Public health messaging on increasing fiber has largely fallen on deaf ears over the past several decades. Diseases associated with lack of fiber and butyrate continue to rise.

Exploring these themes, Damman has just finished a randomized placebo controlled trial evaluating a supplemental prebiotic fiber mix that contains butyrate-friendly resistant starch on metabolic disease. 

“The results on markers of blood sugar levels, measured by HbA1c tests, look similar in impact to oral diabetes drugs without the side effects," he said. "Interestingly, measures of quality of life that include gut health, sleep, and mood were also improved.

“The ultimate goal of this work,” Damman said, “is to use evidence-based approaches to shine the light on the right whole and functional foods to help our microbiomes supply nutrients like butyrate to our bodies. If we can do this, there is hope for quenching inflammation and short circuiting the rising incidence of chronic disease.”

Media contact: Barbara Clements, , 253-740-.

Used in food, cosmetics and even agriculture. Butyric acid is not only versatile, but also has a range of health benefits.

Also known as butanoic acid, it is a fascinating ingredient that can be just as versatile in your body. It is believed to counteract inflammation or regulate insulin metabolism, for example. What's more, your body produces it on its own, helped by probiotic bacteria.

See also:

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• What is sodium butyrate
• The best probiotics for the gut
• Good probiotics for IBS
• Best heartburn pills
• Supplements for liver regeneration

What is butyric acid?

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Butyric acid, also known as butanoic acid, is a short chain fatty acid ( short chain fatty acids - SCFA) that plays a key role in gut health. It is produced by the bacteria that live in your digestive system.

Wondering how it works? When you eat fibre that is indigestible to your body, it passes into the large intestine. There, probiotic bacteria residing in the colon convert this fibre into butyric acid. This is a perfect example of symbiosis, where both parties benefit - the bacteria have nourishment and you get an essential substance for your health .

Butyric acid is extremely important for your gut. It acts as a kind of fuel for the epithelial cells lining the colon, helping them to maintain a healthy intestinal barrier. This is important because this barrier prevents harmful substances from entering your body .

What's more, butyric acid has anti-inflammatory properties, which may help to relieve inflammation in the gut. Some studies also suggest that it may help regulate blood sugar levels and improve metabolism. However, these are preliminary and inconclusive conclusions, so should be approached with caution .

So it is worth paying attention to your diet and making sure you are providing your body with enough fibre. By doing so, the probiotic bacteria will be able to produce butyric acid, which will contribute to your gut health.

Butyric acid versus sodium butyrate

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Sodium butyrate is the sodium salt of butyric acid, or a derivative of it. The molecules of butyric acid and butyrate are chemically different . However, the properties of the two substances are so similar that their names are often used interchangeably.

In practice, the sodium atom in butyrate makes this butyric acid derivative more stable. It is for this reason that you will most often encounter sodium butyrate in dietary supplements.

Sodium butyrate is the most common name.

Properties of butyric acid

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Butyric acid is a key ingredient for the proper functioning of the epithelial cells of the colon, called colonocytes. It provides up to 70% of the energy these cells need to function . 

This, however, is not the only function that butyric acid has in our bodies. It is currently the subject of scientific research to understand its potential effects on the immune system and its ability to reduce inflammation. In addition, its properties affecting insulin regulation are also being studied.

Although the exact mechanism of action of butyric acid at the biochemical level is not yet fully understood, there is some evidence to suggest that it may affect various aspects of bodily function. This may include :

For more butyric acid benefitsinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

• impact on the immune response, 
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• cell differentiation,
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• natural process of elimination of defective and damaged cells,
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Butyric acid may also help to strengthen the protective barrier in the intestines by participating in the production of the mucus that lining them .

Applications of butyric acid

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Butyric acid is a well-known ally in the fight against various digestive problems. First and foremost, this metabolite plays a key role in protecting and regenerating the end sections of the digestive system .

It is also an effective solution if you are struggling with problems such as bloating or constipation. Butyric acid aids intestinal peristalsis, which in practice means that it facilitates the bowel movement process. 

What's more, butyric acid helps to control gas accumulation in the intestines. As a result, you are able to reduce the unpleasant bloating that can cause discomfort .

It is also worth adding that some studies suggest additional benefits for your body. Some scientific work has shown that butyric acid may contribute to maintaining a healthy body weight, by regulating metabolic processes related to insulin and lipid production . 

Do not, however, consider butyric acid (or its derivative, sodium butyrate) as a weight-loss agent. There is still a dispute among scientists about how butyric acid affects our metabolism. 

Most studies are in vitro experiments or those involving animals. There are also researchers who point in their work to links between high concentrations of butyrate or butyric acid and metabolic disorders and cardiovascular disease - as you can see, in this case, what's too much is unhealthy .

Butyric acid for the gut

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Butyric acid has many important functions in your intestines. Not only is it a source of energy for the cells of the colon, but it also supports their regeneration. In addition, it supports the production of mucus, which is an important part of the protective intestinal barrier .

Thanks to this, butyric acid helps to protect your body from harmful substances and pathogens that could enter the bloodstream through this route.

Animal studies suggest that butyric acid may provide relief from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms, such as abdominal pain or irregular bowel movements . 

A study review indicates that butyric acid derivatives may be helpful in the treatment of colorectal cancer. The results suggest that the ingredient may induce cancer cell death, improve the efficacy of radiotherapy and protect mucosa from degradation that can occur during chemotherapy .

Butyric acid provides energy to healthy cells and at the same time may inhibit the growth of cancerous ones, a phenomenon known as the Warburg effect. Therefore, there is a hypothesis that certain strains probiotics may exhibit anti-cancer effects .

Butyric acid is also used by intestinal cells to produce energy, which increases oxygen consumption by the epithelium. As a result, the presence of butyric acid-producing bacteria helps to maintain an anaerobic environment in the intestines, which further protects against the colonisation of aerobic pathogens such as Salmonella or bacteria E. coli.

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What is butyric acid found in?

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Butyric acid is not only found in your intestines. Some foods - especially milk and milk products (dairy products), for example butter, cream, yoghurt or hard yellow cheeses - also contain small amounts of it. Support for butyric acid synthesis can also be provided by products rich in probiotics and prebiotics.

By increasing the amount of probiotics in your gut, you increase the amount producers of butyric acid. And by eating prebiotic foods, you provide them with the necessary materials for this production.

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* GOS and FOS fibre are oligosaccharides, or complex carbohydrates (fructooligosaccharides and galactooligosaccharides), which do not digest in the stomach but are only fermented in the large intestine - providing food for probiotic bacteria and contributing to butyric acid production.

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Butyric acid sweetness

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Butyric acid is considered safe, but there are situations in which its use must be abandoned.

Do not take butyric acid or its derivatives (butyrate) if :

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• you are allergic to butyric acid or any other ingredient in the supplement,
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• you have kidney problems, as butyric acid is removed from the body specifically by the kidneys,
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• you suffer from heart disease, as butyric acid can affect sodium levels in the body, which can be dangerous,
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• you should limit fibre in your diet because of certain digestive ailments,
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• you are pregnant or breastfeeding - the safety of using butyric acid during these periods is not well studied,
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• you are taking any medication - in which case consult your doctor before starting supplementation, as butyric acid may interact with some substances.

Despite its benefits, butyric acid can cause some side effects, although this is rather rare. The most common are gastrointestinal problems such as increased bowel function, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhoea, and changes in appetite . 

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Often these symptoms disappear after a few days, but if they are bothersome or worsen, you should stop supplementation and consult your doctor.

The effects of allergic reactions are a different matter. Their symptoms are :

• rash, 
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• catarrh, 
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• swelling,
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• difficulty breathing, 
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If this occurs, discontinue use of the butyric acid preparation immediately and contact your doctor.

See also:

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• Alpha-lipoic acid
• NMN

Summary

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