Evidence supporting the use of: Sodium Butyrate
For the health condition: Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth

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Synopsis

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

Sodium butyrate is a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) salt, and its potential use in the management of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) is supported by early scientific evidence, though robust clinical validation is still lacking. Butyrate is known to play a key role in maintaining gut barrier function, modulating inflammation, and influencing the composition of the gut microbiota. Most of the research on butyrate pertains to its effects in the colon; however, some studies suggest that exogenous butyrate supplementation can improve intestinal barrier function and reduce inflammation, which are relevant in SIBO where mucosal integrity is often compromised.

A few small clinical studies and animal experiments indicate that sodium butyrate may help reduce gastrointestinal symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, partly by improving mucosal health and potentially inhibiting the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Despite these promising findings, the evidence is largely preliminary. No large-scale randomized controlled trials specifically examine sodium butyrate for SIBO. Most of the current use is supported by mechanistic plausibility, extrapolation from studies on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), and pilot studies.

In summary, while sodium butyrate has some scientific rationale for use in SIBO based on its effects on gut health and preliminary clinical data, the strength of evidence is weak (rated 2 out of 5), and further well-designed studies are needed before it can be recommended as a standard therapy.

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