Butyric Acid
Butyric acid (butyrate) is a short-chain fatty acid produced when gut bacteria ferment fiber. It also occurs in butter and other dairy fats.
What happened when butyrate was added to IBS treatment?
A randomized trial of 66 people continued their usual IBS medication and added microencapsulated sodium butyrate or placebo. Some symptom frequencies improved over 4–12 weeks, including pain during bowel movements, but symptom severity did not improve significantly. 1
Some symptom frequencies improved, without a significant improvement in symptom severity. 1
What does the newer combination trial add?
A Polish trial randomized 120 adults with IBS to a mixture of sodium butyrate, five probiotic strains and short-chain fructooligosaccharides, or placebo, for 12 weeks. At four weeks, 64.7% versus 42.0% reported adequate relief. Overall symptom-severity scores and quality of life did not differ significantly between groups. 2
Urgency improved at week 12, but most secondary outcomes did not. Because several ingredients were combined, the study cannot isolate butyrate’s contribution. The product was supplied by DSM-Firmenich, and company employees were among the authors. 2
Effects by health goal
Open an effect to see the studies behind its rating. Bars show the size of the effect; the letter grades the evidence.
Gut Health5 effects
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Other effects2 effects
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