Butyrate: Gut Health Supplement

Research confirms that these supplements act as a direct fuel source for the cells lining your colon. Without butyrate, gut cells become leaky and weak, but with it, they form a strong yet permeable barrier between your gut and your bloodstream. Clinical studies demonstrate butyrate’s effectiveness in maintaining protective barrier function by tightening the junctions between intestinal cells.* 

The ideal choice depends entirely on your specific biological terrain and health goals. Sodium Butyrate is the gold standard for general gut maintenance and remains the most researched form available. However, our Calcium Magnesium Butyrate delivers the exact same amount of butyrate, we simply bind it to calcium and magnesium for those who prefer these minerals instead of sodium. 

Butyrate is a short-chain fatty acid your body already produces, so supplementing it simply tops up your natural reserves. Butyrate is well-tolerated and side effects are minimal across the majority of clinical studies. Most people tolerate sodium butyrate supplements well. You might experience mild changes in digestion as your microbiome adapts to the new environment. View this temporary shift like cleaning out your closet; while you sort and throw things away, the space may look disorganized for a moment before true order is restored.

More than 5,000 scientific studies have shown that a butyrate supplement strengthens the intestinal barrier and supports a balanced microbiome. It works by tightening the junctions between cells, which serves as a healthy, selective barrier. It also fuels the good bacteria in your gut, helping regulate the immune response and neurotransmitter production.*

You have three paths to increase these crucial short-chain fatty acid levels. First, you can consume high-fiber foods that contain resistant starch, which act as fertilizer for your existing bacteria to ferment into butyrate. Second, you can introduce specific butyrate-producing probiotics that manufacture this fatty acid directly in your colon (as long as they reach your colon intact). For a more immediate and controlled impact, you can supplement butyrate to bridge the gap while you work on optimizing your dietary fiber intake. Many people find that supplementing with butyrate continues to support their gut and metabolic health even after they’ve changed their diet and lifestyle.*

The butyrate capsules are vegetarian and made from plant cellulose. We entirely coat the butyrate powder inside. We want to ensure that butyrate survives stomach acid exposure and reaches the colon, where it supports gut cells most effectively. We devised an approach to tackle the challenge of butyrate delivery by coating it with a vegetable fat called a medium-chain triglyceride (MCT). You naturally find MCTs in coconut oil. This carrier helps the butyrate reach your gut and be absorbed more effectively. 

The only difference between the two forms of BodyBio Butyrate involves the minerals used to create the butyrate salt. You choose either sodium plus butyric acid or calcium plus magnesium plus butyric acid. No other difference exists between the two. We offer these options because scientists conduct most research on sodium butyrate supplements. We recommend this for most people. However, some people wish to avoid any extra sodium intake. We created the calcium/magnesium version as an alternative for them. Both are equally effective.

Diets like Paleo and Keto can lack fiber and resistant starch. They result in low butyrate levels if you do not follow proper dietary guidelines. An individual on a proper Paleo diet should consume between 9 and 12 cups of phytonutrient and fiber-rich plant foods. This includes green plantains, green bananas, sunchokes, artichokes, and cooked and cooled potatoes to produce ample levels of butyrate. Problems may arise when individuals focus exclusively on animal protein and fat while neglecting these plant foods.

Chronic overeating of processed, nutrient-void foods high in energy, fat, and sugar is the norm for the majority of North Americans. This dietary regimen may compromise gut health and impair butyrate production. One cannot go wrong with a nutrient-dense diet rich in high-quality animal protein and colorful, fiber-rich foods.

Most studies on butyrate focus on butyrate supplement intake. If you choose to follow a keto diet, we don’t think you can go wrong by supporting your body with a top-up of butyrate through supplementation. Butyrate supplementation supports the microbiome, gut integrity, and the gut-brain axis*

You can. For many people, these are not diet staples. It is unlikely that you get enough butyrate from your food sources to be physiologically beneficial and initiate significant improvements in your gut. This makes a butyrate supplement a better option for gut health and metabolic health.*

MCT oil in Butyrate is derived from palm, palm kernel, and/or coconut oil.

No. Butyrate is a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) rather than a bacterium. Many people confuse butyrate with probiotics, but they are distinct. Certain probiotic bacteria in the lower colon produce butyrate. The colonocytes then take it up as a key nutrient. A lack of good bacteria in the colon leads to an insufficient supply of butyrate.

Yes, butyrate has a distinct fermented smell, and that’s a good thing! We do not use any additives or fillers to mask the scent. Butyrate is infamous for its scent because it is a molecule naturally produced by the body to feed colon cells. Certain gut bacteria create butyrate via a fermentation process so it naturally smells strong. Substances added to butyrate to control its aroma can undermine its benefits.

Yes. BodyBio Butyrate capsules are vegetarian. The cellulose of the capsule comes from the wood pulp of softwood trees such as pine and spruce.

You can take butyrate any time of day. Some people find that taking butyrate before bed helps improve digestion the following morning. Other people prefer to take butyrate in the morning to set them up for the day ahead. Experiment with what works best for you.