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Fatty acid

Short-Chain Fatty Acid

Short-chain fatty acids, or SCFAs, are compounds gut microbes produce when they ferment certain fibers. Butyrate, propionate and acetate are the main examples.

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The food route starts with fiber

Germany’s DGE gives adults a guideline of at least 30 g of fiber daily. Beans, whole grains, nuts and vegetables contribute; its food examples include 5.8 g of fiber in 60 g of oats. This is a fiber target, not an SCFA dose. 1

Does more fiber always mean more SCFAs?

A systematic review found that resistant starch increased measured SCFAs in many trials, but not consistently. Responses depended on the starch, dose and participants, which makes a fixed promise about SCFA production unrealistic. 2

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