All articles tagged with #butyrate
A study of over 10,000 individuals over six years found that lower levels of butyrate-producing bacteria in the gut are linked to higher risks of serious infections. Enhancing gut microbiome health through dietary interventions could potentially reduce infection rates, with further research needed to explore effective methods for increasing beneficial bacteria.
A study conducted at the University of Chicago has found that a short-chain fatty acid called butyrate, produced by healthy gut bacteria when they ferment fiber, may help prevent food allergies and irritations such as those triggered by peanuts. Researchers used an oral solution of butyrate to prevent anaphylactic responses in mice with peanut allergies. Without enough fiber in the diet, beneficial gut microbes that produce butyrate can die off, leading to gut dysbiosis. The researchers have developed a new configuration of polymers to deliver butyrate, which restored the gut's protective barrier and microbiome in mice. They are now working on developing this treatment for peanut allergies and hope to begin clinical trials in the next 18 months.
While probiotics have gained attention for their role in gut health, butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid produced through microbial fermentation of dietary fibers in the gut, may be even more effective. Butyrate helps control inflammation, supports the integrity of the intestinal barrier, regulates energy expenditure, improves gut health, enhances sleep, reduces inflammation, increases insulin sensitivity, and supports brain health. To increase butyrate production, consume fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and legumes, as well as resistant starches found in green bananas, potatoes, and legumes. Fermented foods and butyrate supplements can also be beneficial.