Top 10 Benefits of Butyrate for Gut & Body Health - BodyBio

The benefits of butyrate, a postbiotic short-chain fatty acid produced in the colon, begin in the gut and extend to a host of other important body systems. A key component of the gut microbiome, butyrate has been found to support gut function, hormone regulation, control centers of the brain, and more.* 

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Here are the top ten reasons why butyrate is widely considered by functional and holistic health professionals to be a foundation of total body health.

Butyrate benefits:

1. Fuel the gut lining*
2. Support healthy gut permeability* 
3. Promote a healthy inflammation response in the gut*
4. May fight colonic diseases and cancers*
5. Promote healthy blood sugar levels*
6. Supports normal proliferation of healthy yeast levels*
7. Promote cell differentiation*
8. Regulate the immune system*
9. Combat brain fog and improve sleep*
10. Supports healthy blood pressure levels*

1. Fuel the Gut Lining*

Butyrate is produced naturally in the gut when you eat foods that are high in “resistant starch”. Special cells in the gut called colonocytes use butyrate as their primary fuel source. Colonocytes make up the lining of your colon, which helps your body absorb nutrients and protects it from harmful bacteria, yeast, and other pathogens that reside in your gut. 

When you don’t eat enough foods consisting of resistant starch, the bacteria in your gut don’t produce enough butyrate, and your gut lining suffers. Carefully increasing your prebiotic dietary fiber (resistant starch) intake and/or supplementing butyrate can nourish the gut lining, help restore healthy nutrient absorption, and more [1]. We discuss butyrate and diet more in-depth here. 

2. Support Healthy Gut Permeability*

Your gut lining is the gatekeeper of your large intestine. When your gut lining is healthy, its permeable barrier allows good things such as vitamins and minerals to pass through to your bloodstream, where they travel on to the organs and systems that need them. At the same time, a healthy gut lining must also not allow substances like toxins and pathogens to enter the bloodstream; it keeps them inside so that they can continue on their path towards being removed from the body.

When your gut lining lacks the butyrate “fuel” it needs to maintain healthy gut permeability, toxins and pathogens can slip through. This may cause what is commonly called leaky gut syndrome [2]. Leaky gut syndrome is believed to cause an array of uncomfortable symptoms, including gastrointestinal distress and low energy levels. By keeping the gut lining healthy, butyrate may be a key means of how to heal leaky gut. 

3. Promote a Healthy Inflammation Response in the Gut*

The lining of your gut is also responsible for maintaining proper levels of inflammation. When the cells in your immune system fight off invading germs, they produce substances called “free radicals” as part of the process. Free radicals are oxidized, inflammatory substances. 

Some inflammation - a very small and controlled amount - helps protect the gut. Chronic inflammation in the gut occurs when your immune system is constantly fighting off what it views to be pathogens. Sometimes, these pathogens are actually invading germs, but sometimes the body overreacts (as with allergies) and fights off substances that are ultimately not harmful. 

Regardless, too many free radicals over time can lead to oxidative damage and chronic inflammation. Butyrate prevents the action of inflammatory processes that would normally put stress on our cells by increasing the production of the antioxidant glutathione [3].

4. May Combat Chronic Inflammation, Colonic Diseases, and Cancers*

Chronic inflammation of the gut can cause diseases like IBD (inflammatory bowel disease - the umbrella term for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis) and colorectal cancer down the line. 

By neutralizing free radicals, butyrate does more than lowers inflammation: it reduces the risk of immune system reactivity, developing chronic diseases like IBD or colorectal cancer, and more [3].*

While increasing butyrate levels in the colon would help prevent colonic diseases from manifesting in the first place, by strengthening the gut lining, controlling pathogens, lowering inflammation, and modulating the immune system, it may be useful in treating pre-existing colonic conditions as well.* In other words, one of the most exciting prospects of butyrate is its ability to manage and support healthy gut functions for those who already struggle with gastrointestinal issues.*

Butyrate has been shown to modulate the gut microbiome in patients who have inflammatory bowel disease [4].* Research also indicates that butyrate has therapeutic potential for IBD patients, particularly with immunomodulation and mucosal healing [5, 6]. This therapeutic potential is exciting since rates of IBD continue to increase globally and patients are looking for more alternative and complementary treatment solutions [7]. 

Finally, one of butyrate’s key functions in the gut is to regulate gut motility, how fast or slow food is processed and moves through the colon. Many people with IBS and IBD suffer from either fast motility, diarrhea, or slow motility, and constipation. No matter which type you have, butyrate helps to restore normal colonic motility [8].

5. Promote Healthy Blood Sugar Levels*

Both mice and cell studies show that butyrate has a positive effect on blood sugar balance. Butyrate may increase insulin sensitivity, encourage the body to use stored fat as an energy source, and suppress hunger hormones. Because of these effects, butyrate has been shown to reduce weight gain in mice with “diet-induced obesity,” suggesting that increasing butyrate levels in the gut may also encourage weight loss [X, X, X].

6. Support Healthy Yeast levels*

A study found that sodium butyrate has “significant antifungal activity” on pathogenic yeasts like Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis, and Cryptococcus neoformans.* Researchers noted that sodium butyrate inhibited the yeasts from spreading and decreased the production of protective biofilms, making them easier to eradicate. Sodium butyrate also enhanced the activity of antifungal drugs, suggesting it might do well as a complementary therapy with medications such as “azole” drugs. [9] 

7. Promote Cell Differentiation*

Butyrate promotes cell differentiation, our cells’ ability to change to a specific type like a liver cell or a blood cell. When cells don’t differentiate properly and simply proliferate, we can end up with tumors which then lead to cancer. Butyrate also helps prevent these serious complications by inducing cell apoptosis, the natural death of a cell. [10]

Butyrate is also an HDAC inhibitor. 

8. Regulate the Immune System* 

Butyrate influences most immune cells, which have receptors to detect it whether in the gut or other parts of the body and bloodstream. Research shows that butyrate upregulates anti-inflammatory immune pathways and downregulates inflammatory ones, even when faced with an inflammation trigger like allergens or toxins.  

In your gut, butyrate influences tissues called the gut associated lymphoid tissues, or GALT. The GALT determines the intensity of an immune response based on the microbial balance in the gut. If there are more adverse bacteria or yeasts present, for example, it will launch an attack. This can cause damage and inflammation to the gut tissues over time [12]. 

Butyrate can modulate the immune system not only by having a direct effect on certain pathogens (like candida overgrowth), but also by fueling the gut tissues, promoting microbial balance in the gut, and lowering inflammation, all of which help the GALT become less reactive. 

9. Combat Brain Fog and Improve Sleep*

Butyrate is one of the ultimate players in the gut-brain connection. It increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a critical metabolite that supports our learning and memory abilities [13]. Butyrate also sequesters ammonia, a toxic byproduct that can cause brain fog.* It may also enhance the brain’s plasticity, the ability to “rewire” new thought pathways, such as when learning a language or changing a habitual behavior. [14, 15]

And here’s the icing on the cake: a study on mice showed that both oral butyrate and intraportal butyrate injection increased non-rapid eye movement sleep by 70% in six hours. It also decreased sleep latency, the time it takes to fall asleep. This is still a new area of research, but the theory is that butyrate may have an effect on sleep-promoting hormones via signaling from the intestinal microbiome [16]. 

10. Support Healthy Blood Pressure* 

Butyrate corresponds inversely to blood pressure, meaning low blood pressure = higher butyrate levels, and higher blood pressure = lower butyrate levels. In a study with 205 participants, researchers found that increasing butyrate production in the microbiome may help regulate blood pressure in obese pregnant women [17]. A study on rats also showed that sodium butyrate had antihypertensive effects [18]. 

How to Reap the Benefits of Butyrate

There are three main ways to boost butyrate levels in your microbiome:

1. Increase your intake of foods that already contain butyrate

What foods are high in butyrate? Unfortunately, many of the foods that already contain comparatively large amounts of butyrate, such as butter and some cheeses, are not suitable for consumption in large quantities. However, you can always include them as a balanced part of your diet! 

2. Increase your intake of foods that support the microbiome’s creation of butyrate

If you’re looking to increase your butyrate levels via dietary changes, consume foods that are high in fiber, particularly those with high levels of resistant starch. These include:
 

• Cold rolled oats 
• Legumes
• Potatoes (cooked then cooled) 
• White rice (cooked then cooled for at least 24 hours) 
• Underripe bananas 
• Plantain flour 
• Whole grains
• Fibrous plant parts such as asparagus ends, broccoli stems, apple skins, etc. 

For more information, check out our in-depth resources on butyrate foods and why fiber is important to the body.

3. Butyrate supplementation

Most people find it difficult to eat the recommended 25 grams of fiber a day. Some are sensitive to the types of foods that support butyrate production (typically legumes), while others simply don’t like them (hard asparagus ends and cold potatoes, anyone?). If you are having a hard time integrating butyrate foods into your diet, butyrate supplements can help. 

Try BodyBio Butyrate Supplements for Gut & Body Health

When considering all of the supplementation options for your personal health and well-being, it can be overwhelming to try to narrow down just a few—or even just one—key player. While prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics all have a place in a well-rounded diet and health-supportive regimen, postbiotics like butyrate have the most therapeutic bang for your buck.

BodyBio’s Butyrate Supplements aren’t just for gut health support, though they exert many benefits there. Butyrate supplements can also promote a healthy brain, immune system, basic cell functions, blood pressure, inflammation, and even your sleep. 

You may not have realized it, but chances are you’ve consumed something called butyric acid before, and believe it or not, your body produces it as well. It’s true — butyric acid, also known as butanoic acid or BTA, is a saturated short-chain fatty acid found in butter, ghee, raw milk, animal fats and plant oils.

It’s also formed in and therefore found in our colons through the bacterial fermentation of carbohydrates like dietary fiber. Butyric acid supports the health and healing of cells in the small and large intestine. It’s also the favored source of fuel for the cells lining the interior of the large intestine or colon. (1)

The BTA content in ghee is one of the main components that provides all those wonderful ghee benefits. Consuming butyric acid in foods like ghee or in supplement form has been shown to aid digestion, calm inflammation and improve overall gastrointestinal health.

People who suffer from irritable bowl syndrome and Crohn’s disease have been shown to benefit from butyric acid, and studies show promise when it comes to diabetes and insulin resistance too. BTA is also known as a potential anticancer fatty acid, especially when it comes to colon cancer. (2)

I’m excited to tell you more about this extremely interesting fatty acid and how it can improve your overall health — and how it already is without you even knowing it!

Contact us to discuss your requirements of butyric acid benefits. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

What Is Butyric Acid?

Butyric acid is a colorless liquid that is soluble in water. Scientifically speaking, its structure is four carbon fatty acids with the molecular formula C4H8O2 or CH3CH2CH2COOH. Butyric acid has other chemical names, including butanoic acid, n-butyric acid, n-butanoic acid and propylformic acid. (3) Along with acetic and propionic acids, it account for approximately 83 percent of the short chain fatty acids in the human colon.

On its own, BTA has an unpleasant smell and bitter, pungent taste, with a somewhat sweet aftertaste. It occurs as esters in animal fats and plant oils. What’s an ester? An ester is an organic compound that reacts with water to produce alcohols and organic or inorganic acids. Esters derived from carboxylic acids like butyric acid are the most common type of esters.

BTA is generated in the large intestine together with other short chain fatty acids from the fermentation of dietary carbohydrates, specifically prebiotics like resistant starches, fructooligosaccharides and other dietary fiber. (4)

The names “butyric acid” and “butyrate” are commonly used interchangeably even in scientific articles and studies. Technically, they have slightly different structures, but they’re still very similar. Butyrate or butanoate is the traditional name for the conjugate base of butyric acid. Put simply, butyrate is almost identical to butyric acid, but it just has one less proton. Judging by scientific studies, they appear to be pretty much identical in their health benefits.

Related: Uva Ursi: How Bearberry Can Support the Skin & Urinary Tract

Health Benefits

1. Weight Loss

Butyric has gained popularity for its ability to possibly help people shed unwanted pounds. Scientific evidence has shown that people who are obese (as well as people who have type II diabetes) have a different composition of gut bacteria. Short chain fatty acids are believed to play a positive role along with probiotics in preventing metabolic syndrome, which almost always includes abdominal obesity. (5)

Short chain fatty acids like butyric acid help regulate the balance between fatty acid synthesis and the breakdown of fats. In a  animal study, after five weeks of treatment with BTA, obese mice lost 10.2 percent of their original body weight, and body fat was reduced by 10 percent. Butyric acid was also shown to improve insulin sensitivity, which helps guard against weight gain. (6)

Most of the evidence for linking BTA supplementation specifically to weight loss is based on animal research so far, but it does show positive effects in treating obesity naturally.

2. Potential Colorectal Cancer Treatment

Multiple studies have shown butyric acid’s potential ability to fight cancer, especially cancer in the colon. It’s actually shown an ability to “modify nuclear architecture” and induce the death of colon cancer cells. This is likely a huge reason why increased fiber intake has been linked with less colon cancer since higher fiber intake can typically equate to more butyric acid present in the colon. (7)

According to research published in the International Journal of Cancer, “the role of short chain fatty acids, particularly butyrate, in colon cancer therapy has been extensively studied, and its tumor suppressive functions are believed to be due to their intracellular actions.” This laboratory study further shows that butyrate treatment led to an increase in the programmed cell death of colon cancer cells. (8)

According to a scientific article, it looks like “a high-fiber diet protects against colorectal tumors in a microbiota- and butyrate-dependent manner.” (9) What does that mean? It means that most likely getting plenty of fiber isn’t what fends off cancer on its own. It’s eating a diet rich in healthy fiber AND having enough good gut flora AND enough BTA present in the body that can provides cancer defense in the colon.

3. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Relief

In general, butyric acid can have a very positive impact on gut health, which greatly affects the health of your entire body. Short chain fatty acids like butyric acid can help keep the gut ling healthy and sealed, which prevents leaky gut syndrome and all kinds of issues linked to a leaky gut like IBS symptoms. This is a type of digestive disorder that’s characterized by a group of common symptoms, including changes in bowel movements and abdominal pain.

A scientific article published in the Gastroenterology Review looked at butyric acid’s potential as an IBS diet therapy based on numerous studies conducted to date. Researchers conclude that “butyrate supplementation seems to be a promising therapy for IBS.” (10)

Some notable  research included in the article was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study involving 66 adult patients with IBS who were given microencapsulated butyric acid at a dose of 300 milligrams per day or a placebo in addition to receiving standard therapy.

After four weeks, researchers found that subjects who took the butyric acid had a statistically significant decrease in the frequency of abdominal pain during bowel movements. After 12 weeks, subjects in the BTA group experienced decreases in the frequency of spontaneous abdominal pain, postprandial abdominal pain, abdominal pain during defecation and urge after defecation. (11)

4. Crohn’s Disease Treatment

Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) characterized by inflammation of the lining of the GI tract, abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss and malnutrition. Again, this is a disease related to a leaky gut. A study published in the journal Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics was small, but it found that “oral butyrate is safe and well tolerated, and may be effective in inducing clinical improvement/remission in Crohn’s disease.” (12)

Another study showed that butyric acid can reduce pain during bowel movements and inflammation in the gut, both of which are extremely helpful to Crohn’s disease and other inflammatory bowel diseases. (13)

Short chain fatty acids like BTA truly play a crucial role in the maintenance of gut barrier integrity, which can help ward off a leaky gut and avoid an IBDs like Crohn’s.

5. Combats Insulin Resistance

A study published by the American Diabetes Foundation looked at butyric acid’s effect on the regulation of insulin sensitivity in mice consuming a diet high in fat. The study concluded that “dietary supplementation of butyrate can prevent and treat diet-induced insulin resistance in mouse.” Researchers also found that the mice treated with butyrate did not have any increase in body fat and the butyrate supplement actually appeared to prevent obesity. (14)

Researchers agree that more studies need to be conducted to further explore how butyrate affects insulin levels in humans, but it looks promising so far, which could have profound effects on treating diabetes.

6. General Anti-inflammatory Effects

Studies have shown the broad anti-inflammatory powers of butyric acid. It’s believed that not only can BTA help inflammatory conditions, but it might also have a helpful ability to manage immune responses. (15)

As we’ve said before, inflammation is the root of most diseases, which is why having more butyric acid in your body could likely benefit many people with various health problems with inflammatory roots.

How to Use

An increased intake of highly processed, low-fiber, high-sugar foods has been shown to decrease levels of butyrate production in the large intestine. Supplementing with butyric acid might be a good idea if you’re unable to obtain enough of it from your diet.

A butyric acid supplement is typically available at health stores or online. It’s most commonly found in capsule or tablet form. Dosage recommendations vary by product. Some recommend one to six capsules/tablets after meals while others suggest taking one capsule three times daily with meals, a few hours before or after taking other medications. It’s best to read product labels carefully and consult your doctor if you feel unsure.

If you prefer to get your butyric acid from foods, then the following are good choices: butter, ghee, raw milk and parmesan cheese. When looking for a high-quality butter, raw and cultured is best. This might be hard to find, however. Organic butter from grass-fed cows is your next best option. Some properly made kombucha (a fermented tea drink) can also contain butyric acid.

To naturally increase the butyric acid production in your body, you can up your intake of healthy prebiotics like raw Jerusalem artichokes, raw dandelion greens, raw jicama and under-ripe bananas.

Scientific research has found that fecal butyrate levels can vary greatly among individuals, but eating a diet high in resistance starches (like an under-ripe banana) typically increases butyric acid levels and may help maintain colorectal health. (16)

Related: Gymnema Sylvestre: An Ayurvedic Herb That Helps Fight Diabetes, Obesity & More

Butyric Acid Interesting Facts

Butyric acid gets its name from the Greek word βούτῡρον, which means butter. Butyric acid makes up about 3 percent to 4 percent of butter. Ever smell rancid butter? That unpleasant odor is the result of the chemical breakdown of the BTA glyceride. While on the topic of gross odors, butyric acid is actually responsible for human vomit’s distinctive scent too.

During his extremely long life (102 years plus), a French organic chemist named Michel Eugène Chevreul is said to have first observed butyric acid in its impure form in . It was by the acidification of animal fat soaps that he was able to identify butyric acid along with several other fatty acids for the first time, including oleic acid, capric acid (naturally occurs in coconut oil) and valeric acid. (17)

Risks and Side Effects

It’s hard to find any documented negative side effects of butyric acid supplements. If you take a butyric acid and experience any negative side effects, you may need to cut back on your dosage. Of course, if you have any serious side effects then you should discontinue use and seek immediate medical attention.

If you’re pregnant or nursing, speak to your doctor before taking a butyric acid supplement. Also talk to your doctor if you have any ongoing medical conditions or if you already take any other medications before taking a BTA supplement.

Final Thoughts

To increase the production of butyric acid in your body naturally, focus on getting more foods that contain butyric acid like ghee and high-quality butter on a regular basis. Also increase your daily intake of fiber-rich foods like vegetables, fruits, legumes and whole grains.

If you can increase your intake of these prebiotics, then you can help increase the probiotics and short chain fatty acids in your body. This is a healthy and easy way to increase your butyric acid levels, not to mention your overall health.

Having the right balance of all prebiotics, probiotics and short chain fatty acids appears to not only improve minor as well as chronic gastrointestinal issues, but many studies show how butyric acid may have some serious cancer-fighting power, especially colon cancer.

What about a supplement? A butyric acid supplement might be helpful, especially if you suffer from an inflammatory bowel disease or are trying to prevent colon cancer. When it comes to weight loss, most of the evidence linking butyric acid to weight loss is based on animal and test-tube studies. A butyric acid supplement should definitely not be thought of as a magic weight loss supplement but might be helpful along with an overall healthy lifestyle.

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