What Is Butyric Acid & Why Do I Need It? - WellTheory

In the early s Michel-Eugène Chevreul, a French organic chemist, first discovered butyric acid in its impure form while acidifying animal fat soaps. (Source)

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Butyric acid, also known as butanoic acid, is a four-carbon short-chain fatty acid that is found in a number of foods and is also produced in our bodies. Its name comes from the ancient Greek word for butter.

Known as the “stinky fat,” butyric acid boasts an aromatic odor (to put it kindly) that has been described as both rancid butter and stale cheddar. It’s also responsible for the familiar lactic acid flavor that we often associate with fresh, homemade bread, butter, and yogurt.

Although butyric acid is naturally occurring in different types of dairy products, it's found in even greater amounts in the digestive tracts of humans and other mammals. The organic compound is produced when complex sugars are broken down during the process of fermentation. Its main function is to provide energy to cells of the colon, but it also supports the immune system with its powerful anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.

In today's edition, we're exploring butyric acid, AKA the pungent, rancid odor that you might recognize from that time your butter went bad — and also a powerful healing nutrient in our bodies.

What Is Butyric Acid and Why Should I Care?

Butyric acid is an important short-chain fatty acid produced in the gut 

Butyric acid, also known as butanoic acid, is a short-chain, saturated fatty acid (SCFA) that is found in plant oils and animal fats, especially products such as butter, ghee, and raw milk. It’s also produced when carbohydrates like fiber are fermented by bacteria in the colon.

Butyric acid is the preferred fuel of your enterocytes, the cells that line the intestines. In other words, it's what your gut cells prefer to burn for energy. Estimates suggest that the compound provides your colon cells with about 70% of their energy needs. (Source)

Note: Although the terms “butyric acid” and “butyrate” are commonly used interchangeably even in the literature, scientifically speaking, the two compounds have slightly different structures (butyrate has one less proton than butyric acid). However, research appears to show that they have identical health benefits. 

Butyric acid is a powerful healing nutrient

Butyric acid can also help support your immune function and keep your gut barrier healthy. It's known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties and to play a role in gut barrier function, immune system regulation, and metabolic regulation. (Source) That's why the compound has gained attention for its potential role in treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and colorectal cancer. On the flip side, decreased butyrate concentrations and numbers of butyrate-producing bacteria have been linked with disorders, ranging from dysbiosis to strokes and even metabolic conditions. (Source, Source, Source, Source)

It may explain the tremendous health benefits of high-fiber diets 

A diet high in fiber has long been considered a cornerstone of gut health, and now science is backing that up. Fiber promotes healthy intestinal flora and helps maintain healthy gut barrier function. It can also help reduce inflammation and insulin resistance, and may help reduce your risk of developing certain diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease. 

As dietary fiber is fermented by bacteria in the gut, butyric acid is formed. Research suggests butyric acid in the gut helps kill colon cancer cells, making a high-fiber diet an important cancer prevention tool. (Source) Beyond that, butyrate can affect our brains by acting via the gut–brain axis. Through its ability to cross the blood–brain barrier, butyrate can activate the vagus nerve and hypothalamus, indirectly affecting appetite. (Source)

What Does the Research Show About Butyric Acid?

Butyric acid has powerful effects on the immune system 

Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, butyrate can help control inflammation and modulate the immune response. In addition, butyric acid helps regulate the production and development of regulatory T cells in the colon, which are responsible for helping your body distinguish between itself and foreign invaders. Without the ability to tell self from nonself, the immune system may begin to attack your own tissues and organs, resulting in an autoimmune condition. (Source)

Butyric acid helps promote gut barrier integrity 

Related to immune function, butyrate also helps maintain healthy gut barrier function and prevent the incidence of leaky gut. (Source) Emerging evidence suggests there may be a link between butyrate and autoimmunity in humans as well. For example, people with type 1 diabetes — an autoimmune condition that affects the ability of the pancreas to produce insulin — have been found to have lower levels of butyrate-producing bacteria in their gut than those without diabetes. (Source)

Butyric acid may improve your brain function 

Studies have revealed that butyric acid has a profound effect on the brain, ranging from memory and cognition issues to neurodegenerative diseases. In rat studies, butyrate stimulated the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a molecule that supports the growth and differentiation of healthy neurons in the brain. (Source) And in studies looking at animal models of Huntington’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, butyric acid has been shown to protect brain neurons from cell death and to extend the lifespan of mice with Huntington’s. (Source, Source)

Butyric acid may help treat IBD

Numerous studies have reported that butyrate metabolism is impaired in patients with IBD. (Source) Butyric acid has been shown to decrease colitis-associated intestinal inflammation and colon cancer in both animal and human models. In a small study looking at the effects of butyrate on Crohn’s disease, 69% of patients saw clinical improvements after treatment, with 53% of participants achieving remission. (Source)

Butyric acid is a promising therapy for IBS

Emerging evidence suggests that butyric acid may be a potential treatment option for IBS as well. (Source)

In one double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, 66 adult patients with IBS took either a placebo or 300 milligrams of sodium butyrate (the sodium salt of butyric acid) per day, in addition to receiving standard therapy. Just four weeks into the 3-month study, researchers found that subjects who took the butyric acid had a statistically significant decrease in the frequency of abdominal pain during bowel movements. (Source)

Butyric acid may improve insulin sensitivity

One of the more controversial potential applications of butyric acid is its ability to impact insulin sensitivity and obesity. In many studies, butyrate has been shown to significantly improve insulin sensitivity and reduce insulin resistance in people with metabolic syndrome. (Source) Researchers believe that this may be a result of the compound's ability to increase GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and PYY (peptide YY), hormones that help your body to control food intake and increase fat burning (Source, Source, Source). 

However, although a large body of evidence has suggested that butyrate may attenuate obesity and insulin resistance, a few studies have shown the opposite effect. Therefore, more research is needed to understand the effects of butyrate on obesity.

How Does Butyrate Work?

Studies have shown that butyrate has multiple modes of action:

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Butyrate is a “histone deacetylase inhibitor”

Butyrate is known to increase the expression of genes that promote the growth of gut cells and suppress genes that cause inflammation. It appears to do this by inhibiting histone deacetylase (HDAC), an enzyme that regulates gene expression. This protects the DNA wrapped around proteins called histones, which has led researchers to believe that butyrate has anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects in the gut. In other words, it prevents genes from getting damaged, rather helping them to survive and adapt. (Source)

Butyrate is capable of increasing mitochondrial activity

As mentioned, butyric acid plays a key role in metabolism and mitochondrial activity. Not only does it serve as the primary source of fuel for colon cells, studies have also shown its ability to support energy homeostasis and promote mitochondrial activity in animal models. (Source) Researchers have also postulated that reduced glucose availability in the brain may contribute to mitochondrial dysfunction in acute and chronic neurological diseases, which could theoretically be supported via butyrate because of its effects on energy metabolism. (Source)

Butyrate promotes microbiome homeostasis

Research has shown that butyrate is a key regulator of microbiome health and helps to strengthen the gut barrier. As a major energy source for the cells that line the colon, butyrate is preferentially absorbed to repair damaged cells and support the growth of new ones. In effect, it also keeps harmful bacteria and endotoxins from passing through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream, which can help reduce inflammation and the risk for chronic disease. (Source)

Butyrate targets key receptors on cell membranes 

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are members of a large protein family that are activated by a variety of neurotransmitters, hormones, and drugs. GPCRs are involved in many important physiological functions, such as the regulation of cell growth and proliferation, hormone secretion, and neurotransmitter release. 

They are a common target in medications, but interestingly butyrate has been found to signal through a GPCR receptor called GPR109a. Scientists believe that butyrate's triggering of GPR109a may be responsible for the compound’s anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic effects. (Source)

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What Should I Do About Butyric Acid?

Incorporate butyrate-rich dietary sources 

Some of the food sources with the most naturally-occurring butyric acid include butter, ghee, parmesan cheese, and raw milk. (Source) Butter contains 3% to 4% butyric acid, making it the richest dietary source of butyrate. (Source) Some types of kombucha can also contain butyric acid as well. However, even the richest food sources contain relatively little of this fatty acid compared to the amount that can be created in the large intestine, so your best bet is to feed fiber to the microbes that generate butyrate in your gut.

Try fructo-oligosaccharides

Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) are a type of prebiotic, substances that promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the colon, such as butyric acid. Other prebiotic superstars to consider incorporating into your diet include garlic, bananas, onions, leeks, and asparagus. One study in rats showed a high-FOS diet increased levels of butyrate in the large intestine while maintaining the levels of anaerobic bacteria. (Source)

Increase your resistant starch intake 

Resistant starches are gut-friendly carbohydrates that feed the beneficial bacteria in your gut and help them thrive. As a bonus, they also increase butyrate production in the large intestine as they are fermented by other bacteria in the gut. The best way to get more butyrate is to eat prebiotic foods that are rich in resistant starch, such as artichokes, plantains, and cooked potatoes. (Source)

Supplement with butyrate 

Although diet is typically the best way to increase butyrate production in the gut, if resistant starch isn't a staple in your diet you can also supplement with butyrate directly. It’s commonly found in fiber supplements and often sold as sodium butyrate. However, you may want to hold off if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding — one animal study found that giving pregnant and breastfeeding rats sodium butyrate led to insulin resistance and increased fat storage in their offspring. (Source)

Short chain fatty acids are a group of fatty acids that may offer various health benefits. Butyrate is a well-known type of short chain fatty acid that may support gut health and function. This article will discuss why measuring and optimizing butyrate levels might be helpful in supporting overall wellness.

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What is Butyrate?

Butyrate is one of the predominant types of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) produced in the colon. SCFAs are fatty acids produced when friendly colonic bacteria ferment undigested dietary fiber, resistant starch, and protein. Butyrate, propionate, and acetate constitute 95% of the SCFAs produced in the gut. Two of the main actions of butyrate and other SCFAs are to provide energy for colonocytes (the cells that make up the internal lining of the colon) and to help maintain the integrity of the intestinal barrier. (1, 2)

Gut Health Benefits of Butyrate

Butyrate plays many roles in supporting a healthy large intestine. It is the preferred energy source for colonocytes; it may help stimulate the growth and proliferation of healthy intestinal cells; it may help manage inflammation and oxidative stress; it supports the integrity of the intestinal barrier; it may stimulate mucus secretion; it may aid in fluid and electrolyte absorption; and it may help support healthy cell function in the colon. (4)

Given these properties, research suggests sufficient butyrate levels may help manage symptoms of inflammatory bowel conditions by modulating intestinal inflammation. (5) Additionally, butyrate supplementation has been associated with decreased discomfort related to defecation for people with irritable bowel conditions. (6) (3)

Furthermore, butyrate may support a healthy colon. As a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, butyrate may help manage the growth of certain cells in the colon. (3, 7)

Immune Health Benefits of Butyrate

The gut houses approximately 70-80% of the body's immune system. By supporting the intestinal gut barrier through aiding intestinal mucus secretions and regulating intestinal permeability, butyrate may help support the body's defenses against infection. (8)

Studies have shown that butyrate supplements may help manage the severity of bacterial infections by supporting a healthy inflammatory response. (9)

Metabolic Health Benefits of Butyrate

Butyrate supports the intestinal production of hormones related to blood sugar regulation. Research suggests adequate intestinal butyrate production may promote a healthy insulin response, which could help manage insulin resistance and support healthy blood sugar levels. (3, 10)

Cardiovascular Health Benefits of Butyrate

The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of butyrate may help protect the body against cardiovascular concerns and associated factors, including high cholesterol. (3, 11)

Neurological Health Benefits of Butyrate

Butyrate has been shown to support brain health, and preliminary studies suggest that it may play a role in supporting neurological health. (3, 12)

Which Bacteria Produce Butyrate?

Bacteria can produce SCFAs from fiber because they have enzymes that humans do not. Based on the literature, the three major butyrate-producers in the gut are Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Eubacterium rectale, and Roseburia species of bacteria (1). Blautia, Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcus, Clostridium, Anaeostipes, Coprococcus, and Butyricicoccus are other minor butyrate-producing bacteria (13).

How to Test Butyrate Levels

Comprehensive stool analysis allows for the measurement of total SCFAs and breakdown into percentages of butyrate, acetate, and propionate. Additionally, the microbiome evaluation portion of these tests will quantify the abundance of butyrate-producing bacteria. Stool testing options include Genova Diagnostic's GI Effects, Doctor's Data's GI360, and Microbiome Labs' BiomeFx. Every company measures and reports short chain fatty acids in different units, and optimal levels have yet to be established. Interpreting all test results with the listed reference ranges on the lab reports is important.

What Do High Butyrate Levels Mean?

SCFA levels depend highly on commensal bacterial abundance and diversity and dietary fiber intake. High dietary intake of fiber and resistant starches may increase butyrate levels. Higher butyrate levels are generally considered beneficial but can indicate large and/or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (14). Additional signs of small/large intestinal bacterial overgrowth on comprehensive stool testing include an elevated total abundance of commensal bacteria and elevations in fecal fats and products of protein breakdown.

What Do Low Butyrate Levels Mean?

People with certain intestinal conditions have been shown to have lower stool levels of butyrate and other SCFAs compared to controls (15, 16).

Decreased carbohydrate/fiber consumption due to dietary patterns and restricted diets, like the low FODMAP diet, is correlated with low SCFAs. Intestinal dysbiosis characterized by a lack of beneficial butyrate-producing bacteria can also contribute to low butyrate levels. Poor diet, intestinal inflammation, and frequent antibiotic use can contribute to dysbiosis. (17, 18)

What Foods Have Butyrate?

Diets high in prebiotic dietary fibers and resistant starches feed the healthy bacteria that naturally produce butyrate, promoting a healthy microbiome and butyrate levels. Prebiotic foods to consider including in the diet are seeds, nuts, whole grains, legumes, green bananas, and potatoes. (19, 20)

Fermented foods, like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kombucha, contain probiotics that can help improve the microbiome's diversity and balance.

Full-fat dairy products, like butter and ghee, are naturally rich in butyrate. It is important to moderate the consumption of these foods due to their high levels of saturated fats, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular concerns. (3)

Butyrate Supplements

Probiotics can introduce target species of bacteria into the microbiome for balancing effects to support a healthy microbiome.

Supplemental fibers, like inulin and arabinogalactan, can help meet fiber intake goals if dietary intake is insufficient.

Butyric acid is available in supplemental form, most commonly in a sodium butyrate form, and can be purchased online or in most health food stores. Butyrate is typically taken orally but can be administered through colonic enemas for a more direct and local effect.

Summary

Butyrate is a short chain fatty acid that serves as a primary energy source for colonocytes. Along with its potential benefits for gut health, emerging research suggests that it may also support systemic health through its immunoregulatory and antioxidant properties. Working with a healthcare provider, you can measure butyrate status and identify factors contributing to imbalances. When needed, dietary modifications and dietary supplements can be helpful tools in creating a healthy butyrate balance and supporting overall wellness.

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