Sodium butyrate – a substance with enormous health benefits

Sodium butyrate is a short-chain fatty acid produced in the colon during the fermentation of fibre by our body's microflora. It is therefore an important fatty acid that supports intestinal transit and good bowel function. Butyrate plays many health roles in our body, but most of them are unknown to us. What should we know about sodium butyrate, and why should we be interested in it not only for the benefit of our digestive system, but also for our entire body?

Sodium butyrate – what exactly is it?

Sodium butyrate is a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA). Fatty acids are the building blocks of fats that our body's cells need to function properly. Butyrate is produced when bacteria living in our intestines ferment indigestible fibre from grains, beans, onions, bananas and other foods rich in complex carbohydrates.

The substance is therefore the preferred source of energy for the cells lining the colon, the largest part of the large intestine. It is essential for maintaining a healthy barrier between the colon and the blood, preventing, for example, inflammation in the intestines.

Butyrate production is largely dependent on the pH of the large intestine. Butyrate-producing bacteria thrive in a more acidic environment (lower pH), while bacteria that produce other SCFAs, such as acetate and propionate, prefer a more alkaline environment (higher pH).

Sodium butyrate – properties of butyric acid salt

We already know that sodium butyrate is a salt of butyric acid. But let's leave the chemistry aside and move straight on to the important key facts. First of all, where does this fatty acid actually come from in our bodies? It all comes down to the fibre we get from our food.

The intestinal bacteria in our digestive systems convert it into short-chain fatty acids. In this way, the intestinal flora opens up a huge source of energy for the human body, which it is unable to produce and use in the right proportions on its own, as more than 70% of the energy requirements of intestinal cells are covered by these fatty acids!

The most important source of energy for intestinal cells is sodium butyrate. In addition to nourishing cells, it also controls the intestinal immune system and influences various metabolic pathways, such as those in the liver or brain. Fatty acids produced by microorganisms in the intestine are therefore essential for our overall health, not just the digestive system.

Sodium butyrate – effects and benefits of the substance

Sodium butyrate has many benefits. Clinical studies have shown that the substance performs important functions in the body (primarily in the digestive system). So, what is sodium butyrate best for? The substance affects, among other things:

• Intestinal health – butyrate is essential for maintaining a healthy intestinal environment. It nourishes the colon lining, maintains its barrier function and prevents intestinal inflammation, finding its application in counteracting the symptoms of Crohn's disease and chronic diarrhoea;

• Reduction of inflammation – butyrate inhibits the activity of cells and proteins that drive inflammation. This is thanks to the increased activity of immune cells called regulatory T cells or Tregs, which prevent the intestinal and gastric mucosa from overreacting to proteins in the diet. A number of studies have shown that sodium butyrate has a preventive effect on reflux and flatulence, reducing the frequency of these conditions;

• Precise tuning of the immune system – as an HDAC inhibitor, sodium butyrate tunes the immune system in several ways. One of them is to strengthen the ability of immune cells to target cancerous tumours. It also prevents pathogens and other harmful factors from entering the bloodstream.

• Impact on the brain and nerve cells – the gut and microbiome have a strong influence on the brain. Therefore, it is no surprise that the bacteria in our intestines ‘communicate’ with brain cells, releasing butyrate, which, as an HDAC inhibitor, activates specific genes, influencing, among other things, cognitive processes and promoting neurogenesis (the formation of new nerve connections).

• Weight regulation – a large number of clinical studies have been conducted on this topic, which have shown that people who promote an increase in sodium butyrate concentration in the body actually burned more fat and expended more energy;

• Promoting proper blood sugar levels – people with diabetes often experience an imbalance in their gut flora. Usually, their intestines produce less butyrate than those of healthy individuals. Review studies have shown that sodium butyrate helps control blood sugar levels in animals and humans with type 2 diabetes.

Sodium butyrate – substance dosage

Currently, there is no well-structured scientific publication on the acceptable dose of sodium butyrate in the daily diet or supplementation. On average, however, about 300 to 600 mg per day is needed to improve digestive function and reap all the benefits of butyrate.

Sodium butyrate in food – where is it found?

Butter and one type of clarified butter, ghee, are the foods that contain the highest concentrations of sodium butyrate. Another source of butyrate are butter derivatives, i.e. dairy products such as:

• Milk
• Cheese
• Fresh cream
• Confectionery containing butter

Sodium butyrate is also synthesised by intestinal bacteria from dietary fibre. Gradually increasing your intake of fruit and vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds, and whole grains can be a useful and healthy move.

Sodium butyrate for children – is it safe?

According to the authors of many clinical studies, bacterial metabolites have a significant impact on the development of the immune system, even before allergic diseases manifest themselves in test results. This means, more or less, that sodium butyrate for children in the form of, for example, odourless supplements can prevent inflammation or allergic reactions in childhood, which are directly related to the functioning of the gut and its microflora.