Why do most medical establishments suggest a yearly colonoscopy beginning around age 50? It's because colon health is far more critical than most think!

Meanwhile, diseases of the colon, particularly colon cancer, have become more common over the decades. So how does butyrate relate to all of this? Can Butyrate supplements serve as a boon for colon health?

What is Butyrate?

Latest Research on Butyrate Benefits

Butyrate is a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) produced in the gut as a byproduct of fermentation. This fermentation occurs when beneficial probiotic bacteria feed on important undigested fibers, such as resistant starch, that reach the colon. 

Think of butyrate as essential fuel for the integrity of the gut lining. More specifically, butyrate feeds our colonocytes, which form our gut lining. 

There are essential components necessary to optimize butyrate production in the body. A couple of these include healthy amounts of beneficial bacteria in the body and a large intake of resistant starch. 

Resistant starch is a carbohydrate that resists digestion until reaching the large intestine (colon). Bacteria embark on a feeding frenzy, producing the SCFAs (butyrate included) that benefit the gut.

Butyrate Supplements for Crohn's Disease

Oral butyrate supplements have also proved beneficial. Butyrate supplements have been studied, for example, as an effective intervention for Crohn's disease. 

Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that often produces ulcers in the colon. 

Butyrate research has shown that "oral butyrate is safe and well-tolerated, and may be effective in inducing clinical improvement/remission in Crohn's disease." In the research linked above, 9 out of 13 Crohn's patients had improved symptoms after eight weeks of butyrate supplementation. 

Butyrate Supplements for Colon Cancer

At the beginning of this article, we discussed the importance of receiving yearly colonoscopies to check on the colon. One of the primary purposes of these procedures is to check for polyps potentially becoming colon cancer. 

Sadly, colon cancer is relatively standard. Thus, many look for ways to prevent or help with cancer that has already developed. Butyrate seems promising. 

A 2016 study published in PLOS ONE introduces butyrate by claiming, "Butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid derived from dietary fiber, inhibits proliferation and induces cell death in colorectal cancer cells." 

The study examines and concludes how sodium butyrate stopped colon tumor proliferation "by blocking the endoplasmic reticulum stress response. . .These results provide novel insights into the anti-tumor mechanisms of butyric acid."

These findings are essential for understanding the impact of butyrate and the search for holistic means of cancer remission. 

Butyrate Supplements for Insulin Sensitivity

Good news for type 2 diabetics: Butyrate may be of significant help. 

According to a study completed on rats, "SCFAs might contribute to healthier adipocytes and subsequently also [improve] energy metabolism with, for example, less circulating free fatty acids, which is beneficial in the context of obesity and type 2 diabetes."

A keyword in such conclusions is "might." More research is required to determine the utilization of SCFAs, such as resistant starch, as an effective protocol for diabetes. 

The Best Sources of Butyrate Supplements for Gut Health

Now we can efficiently dive into the best sources of butyrate for gut health. Together, we'll discover actual sources of butyrate and food and supplement sources that can lead to the creation of butyrate in the gut. 

Grass-Fed Ghee

Butter is renowned as a potent source of butyric acid. We suggest consuming butter in clarified butter or ghee instead. 

Famous in Ayurveda for hundreds, if not thousands, of years, ghee is renowned for its ability to lubricate joints and connective tissues, improve memory, calm inflammation, aid digestion, and rebuild the gut. 

An excellent way to consume ghee is on an empty stomach in the morning. Try a teaspoon. Eat it straight out of the jar, mix it with warm water, and drink it. Also, in replacement of butter, try cooking with ghee. Ghee has an extremely high smoke point and retains its benefits through being heated. 

Resistant Starch 

When thinking about increasing levels of butyrate in the body, some argue that we should focus on "foods to increase butyrate" rather than "foods with butyrate." 

This is where resistant starch comes in. Resistant starch is classified as a type of fiber that cannot be broken down in the small intestine or stomach and thus makes its way to the large intestine to feed beneficial probiotic bacteria that reside therein. This feeding is what creates ample amounts of butyrate in the body.

Sources of resistant starch include plantains, green bananas, whole grains, and cooked brown rice. Another popular source is potatoes (both russet and sweet) that have been cooked and then cooled. Yes, interestingly, resistant starch forms during the cooling process. 

Prebiotics 

You may have heard of prebiotics alongside probiotics. Prebiotics such as inulin is often coupled with probiotics because they serve as an ideal food source for probiotics.

Foods such as almonds, oat and wheat bran, chickpeas, garlic, and apples are all foods rich in prebiotic dietary fiber, some of which are insoluble. Insoluble fiber, like resistant starch, can survive the small intestine and reach the colon for fermentation. 

A good rule of thumb is to include plenty of prebiotic sources as a regular part of your diet. When in doubt, stick to a plethora of fruits and vegetables. This way, you won't have to depend on buying prebiotic supplements. 

Conclusion

Butyrate may be a saving grace for many in a world where gut disease is rampant. What's more, with a bit of education, it's accessible and easy to implement daily. 

Earlier, we mentioned how it's best to focus on foods that allow your body to create butyrate instead of consuming foods that contain it (which can still be beneficial).

That being said, ensuring you have a healthy gut microbiome is vital. This is essential to ensure your body is efficiently making butyrate. You can check your probiotic levels through targeted stool samples. 

Creating butyrate is one of the essential functions of the gut microbiome. Butyrate production in the gut can't be overlooked and must be optimized for a human to thrive.