Butyrate
Description
Butyrate is a short chain fatty acid (SCFA), like propionate and acetate. It is naturally produced during digestion, when dietary fibers are fermented by the bacteria of the microbiota. Butyrate is then used by the cells of the colon as an energy source.
Butyrate can be used as a glucose precursor and improves insulin sensitivity.
In addition, this SCFA participates in the stimulation of the regulatory T cells present in the intestinal mucosa. Butyrate is receiving particular attention from researchers because this molecule is very interesting in the prevention of inflammatory diseases. Moreover, the presence of butyrate in an in vitro cell culture has allowed to demonstrate a decrease in the proliferation of cancer cells and an increase in their death by apoptosis.
In food supplements, butyrate can be found in different forms, such as calcium butyrate or sodium butyrate.
The benefits
Butyrate is a short-chain fatty acid used as an energy source by colon cells.
Scientific publications
Butyrate is the subject of more than 16 010 scientific publications.
