Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Butyric acid, a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) produced in the colon by microbial fermentation of dietary fibers, has garnered scientific interest as a supportive therapy for Crohn’s disease (CD). The rationale for its use lies in butyrate’s role as a primary energy source for colonocytes and its anti-inflammatory properties, which may help maintain gut barrier integrity and modulate immune responses. Several small clinical studies and animal models suggest that oral or rectal butyrate supplementation may reduce colonic inflammation and improve symptoms in inflammatory bowel diseases, including CD. For example, a 2005 pilot study by Vernia et al. found that oral butyrate led to clinical improvement in a subset of patients with mild-to-moderate CD. Other studies have observed anti-inflammatory effects of butyrate enemas in ulcerative colitis, a related condition.

However, the evidence base remains limited: most studies are small, uncontrolled, or focus on ulcerative colitis rather than Crohn’s disease specifically. Systematic reviews highlight a lack of large, high-quality randomized controlled trials. Butyrate is not part of standard therapy for CD, and guidelines do not recommend it as a first-line treatment. In summary, while there is a plausible biological mechanism and some early-stage clinical evidence, scientific validation is modest, and further well-designed studies are needed to better define efficacy, optimal dosing, and safety in Crohn’s disease.

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Other ingredients used for Crohn's Disease

Other health conditions supported by butyric acid

Products containing butyric acid

Douglas Laboratories MCT/Butyrate Liquid with SunButyrate™