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    Butyrate (Sodium Butyrate / Tributyrin)New

    Supplement
    Gut Health
    3/10 Evidence

    A short-chain fatty acid normally produced when gut bacteria ferment fibre, sold as sodium butyrate or the triglyceride form tributyrin. Human trial evidence is limited; fibre and polyphenol-rich diets remain the first-line way to raise colonic butyrate.

    Mechanism of Action

    Butyrate is the preferred fuel of colonocytes, supports tight-junction integrity and mucus production, inhibits histone deacetylases (HDAC) and signals through GPR41/43/109A to dampen intestinal inflammation. Tributyrin and microencapsulated forms are designed to release butyrate lower in the gut than plain sodium butyrate, though human comparisons are sparse.

    Dosing Protocol

    Recommended

    300mg per day (sodium butyrate 300-600 mg or tributyrin 150-500 mg), with meals

    Standard starting dose based on research

    Therapeutic Range

    150

    Minimum

    to

    900

    Maximum

    mg per day (sodium butyrate 300-600 mg or tributyrin 150-500 mg), with meals

    With meals, once or divided twice daily

    Cycling Protocol

    No established cycling. Trials last 3-12 weeks; reassess symptoms after 8 weeks

    Dosages are general guidelines. Individual requirements vary based on body weight, health status, and specific goals. Start with lower doses and adjust based on response.

    Benefits

    Primary Benefits

    • Microencapsulated sodium butyrate as add-on therapy in mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis improved clinical and inflammatory markers in a multicentre trial (one summary reports clinical remission 31.4% vs 6.4% on placebo); seen via secondary summaries only
    • A small pilot in healthy adults reported lower high-sensitivity CRP after 21 days of a tributyrin complex; a separate 28-day randomized pilot (n=29) found ButyraGen tributyrin safe and tolerable

    Secondary Benefits

    Possible support for gut-barrier function and stool regularity (small trials and mechanisms)
    Possible metabolic benefits (insulin sensitivity) from raising colonic butyrate, mostly preclinical

    Safety Information

    Contraindications

    Do not use if any of the following apply:

    • •Active inflammatory bowel disease without specialist oversight
    • •Hypertension or sodium restriction (sodium butyrate)
    • •Pregnancy and breastfeeding (insufficient data)
    • •Bowel obstruction

    Drug/Supplement Interactions

    May interact with the following. Consult a healthcare provider before combining:

    Sodium load from sodium butyrate - relevant with antihypertensives or low-sodium diets
    Immunosuppressants and IBD therapies - use only with gastroenterologist oversight
    Prebiotic fibre and polyphenols - complementary, raise endogenous butyrate
    Lipase-limited fat digestion may reduce tributyrin absorption

    Potential Side Effects

    Some users may experience:

    Strong, unpleasant odour and taste (burping, body odour)
    Bloating, gas or loose stools
    Nausea
    Higher sodium intake with sodium butyrate

    This is not a complete list of interactions or side effects. Individual responses vary. Always start with the lowest effective dose and monitor your response. Report any adverse effects to your healthcare provider.

    Quality Markers

    Look for these specific quality indicators when sourcing this compound:

    • Microencapsulated or enteric-coated delivery for colonic release
    • Label states mg butyrate, not just mg of salt or tributyrin
    • Third-party tested for purity
    • Disclosed form and sodium content

    Trusted Certifications

    NSF Certified
    USP Verified
    GMP Certified
    ConsumerLab Approved

    Note: Supplement quality varies dramatically between brands. Cheap supplements often contain fillers, incorrect doses, or contaminants. Investing in quality products from reputable manufacturers is essential for safety and efficacy.

    Evidence Profile

    Evidence Score

    3/10

    Emerging/Anecdotal

    Limited clinical data, primarily mechanistic studies or user reports

    Classification:
    Emerging (scored 3). I found no meta-analysis of human randomized trials for either form. Human data are small pilots, a signal in ulcerative colitis as an add-on, and mechanism-led reasoning; a systematic review of butyrate enemas across 8 RCTs found no clear benefit. Delivery advantages of tributyrin rest largely on animal and in-vitro work. A 2024 trial reportedly saw slightly higher blood pressure with oral butyrate, plausibly from sodium load (not verified from a primary source). Mostly commercial secondary sources were returned. Evidence

    Evidence Scale

    8-10

    Strong

    5-7

    Moderate

    1-4

    Emerging

    PHS
    671
    / 1000
    T3
    Longevity Operator

    Sample member

    Longevity Operator

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