Butyrate is an essential short-chain fatty acid that nourishes the colon and intestinal walls. It has been identified as a crucial element in promoting a healthy inflammatory response in the colon.
Butyrate supplies up to 90% of the energy needs of the colon cells. So, it’s not surprising that a deficit might cause damage to the gut lining and subsequent sickness. But on the other hand, when we have sufficient Butyrate, our gut, gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), and immune system are strengthened, leading to various health benefits extending far beyond the digestive system.
The following are 8 specific science-backed human health benefits of Butyrate.
1. May Boost Immune System
Specific postbiotic metabolites are known to help your immune system.
For example, Butyrate can cause your intestine to make more regulatory T cells, which help control the degree of the body’s immune response.
And Butyrate is very helpful in regulating the immunological response within the digestive tract. Studies indicate that Butyrate instructs immune system components such as pro-inflammatory cytokines, dendritic cells, and macrophages to cease attacking the gut wall. This permits the digestive tract to heal.
Other postbiotics, such as bacterial cell wall fragments and supernatant from healthy bacteria, can stimulate the production of cytokines, which are chemical messengers that reduce inflammation and enhance immunological responses.
2. May Improve Digestion
An estimated 60 to 70 million Americans are affected by at least one digestive disease, including chronic diarrhea, chronic constipation, inflammatory bowel disease, and irritable bowel syndrome. The good news is that postbiotics may help.
According to research, postbiotics, especially short-chain fatty acids, may help alleviate symptoms in persons with mild to severe ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, two kinds of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affect an estimated 1 million people in the United States.
Short-chain fatty acids like Butyrate, which control immunity and inflammation in the digestive system, are typically produced in lower amounts in the guts of people with IBD. This is because butyrate contributes to immune cell activation that lowers inflammation, so it makes sense that an insufficient amount of Butyrate in the colon can contribute to intestinal inflammation.
Indeed, research studies suggest that Butyrate can improve the symptoms of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and even lead to complete remission.
3. May Help With Weight Control
The use of Butyrate for weight loss is an additional topic of research. Millions of individuals struggle with weight loss. Unfortunately, more than 40 percent of Americans are obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which can significantly increase their risk of developing numerous diseases.
Studies suggest that Butyrate supports metabolism and aids weight control/weight loss in other ways. In general, mice given Butyrate showed improvement in:
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Body fat percentage |
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Fasting glucose/insulin, insulin sensitivity |
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Energy expenditure, fat oxidation |
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Mitochondrial function/biogenesis |
In addition, several studies suggest that Butyrate and other SCFAs may stimulate the production of gut-derived satiety hormones, reducing appetite and food consumption.
These studies demonstrate that Butyrate may benefit all weight loss and control elements, including appetite, insulin sensitivity, and body fat percentage.
4. May Defend Against Colon Cancer
According to various test-tube and animal studies, postbiotics may contain properties that help inhibit the growth and spread of colon cancer cells.
For example, numerous studies demonstrate that Butyrate inhibits the progression of colon cancer. Through a mechanism known as the Warburg effect, Butyrate accumulates in cells, reducing inflammation and inhibiting the development of tumor cells. Plus, Butyrate can trigger cancer cell suicide, a process called “apoptosis,” causing them to die off. That’s exactly what you want to happen with cancer cells!
Butyrate also nourishes your colon cells and protects their lining, which supports the health of the large intestine and may help prevent colon cancer.
5. May Reduce Risk of Leaky Gut Syndrome
Leaky gut is a disorder in which toxins and other potentially hazardous chemicals “leak” into the bloodstream.
Epithelial cells that line the colon wall make up the gut membrane. As a result, there is a barrier between your gut’s contents and your bloodstream. Amazingly, the gut barrier allows food and nutrients to pass into the gastrointestinal tract while preventing harmful substances from escaping into your bloodstream. This is possible because the gut membrane contains specific gates that only permit particular compounds to enter and exit.
But if the gates weaken, a condition called leaky gut; can let harmful substances into your body. Fortunately, Butyrate may contribute to the integrity of the intestinal barrier. Research has demonstrated that Butyrate can “repair and strengthen” the barrier function of colonic epithelial cells.
This naturally strengthens these “gates,” reducing the likelihood of a leaky gut and resulting health conditions.
6. May Treat Diarrhea
According to research, postbiotics may prevent and treat diarrhea.
An analysis of seven research studies involving 1,740 children revealed, for instance, that supplementation of Lactobacillus acidophilus and other postbiotics considerably reduced the duration of diarrhea and was better than placebo therapies in preventing this condition.
Do postbiotics work better than probiotics in treating diarrhea?
Researchers put that question to the test. In a small 2003 research, 137 persons with persistent diarrhea received treatment for four weeks with either a probiotic or postbiotic supplement. By the end of the study, it had been established that the postbiotic supplement was superior to the probiotic in treating diarrhea.
7. May Help Support Healthy Blood Glucose Levels
Studies suggest that Butyrate may aid in glucose management.
In a study published in Diabetes, researchers added Butyrate to the high-fat diet of obese mice. The results?
Butyrate supplementation inhibited the development of insulin resistance and obesity in mice fed a high-fat diet. Blood glucose, insulin, and insulin sensitivity were all maintained in the treated animals. Body fat percentage was maintained at 10% without a drop in caloric consumption. It also improved fat burning.
The researchers concluded, “Dietary supplementation of butyrate can prevent and treat diet-induced insulin resistance in mice.”
According to research, Butyrate also stimulates the release of gut hormones such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and peptide YY (PYY). GLP-1 stimulates the production of insulin and decreases the production of glucagon in the pancreas. PYY promotes the absorption of glucose by both muscle and adipose tissue. The release of these hormones can help manage blood glucose levels.
8. May Promote Heart Health
Some studies suggest that Butyrate may help defend against cardiovascular disease by improving the common risk factors of high blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
In animal experiments, for example, Butyrate appears to reduce blood pressure and inhibit genes involved in cholesterol formation
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