Sodium butyrate ranking [2026]

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Butyrate is a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) produced mainly in the large intestine during the fermentation of fibre by microbiota. It belongs to the SCFA group, which also includes acetate and propionate. These compounds play an important role in regulating bowel function, nourishing epithelial cells and regulating the inflammatory response. Sodium butyrate is a stable salt of butyrate, which allows it to be administered as a supplement. By binding with sodium, butyrate is less susceptible to degradation and can reach the intestine in a predictable manner.

1. Diet and butyrate
2. The problem with ultra-processed diets
3. Butyrate "deficiency" in the gut – effects
4. Effects of sodium butyrate use
5. Sodium butyrate dosage
6. TOP 3 ranking of sodium butyrate supplements

Diet and butyrate

Factors contributing to low butyrate production are best seen in studies where fibre intake was increased. Analyses comparing different types of cereal fibres have shown that regular consumption clearly increases butyrate concentration in faeces, with the effect being particularly strong in short-term interventions and in people with higher body weight. This means that a poorly diversified diet low in fermentable fibre fractions promotes lower butyrate production. The reason why butyrate is sometimes used instead of fibre-rich products is the poor tolerance of some people to certain indigestible elements of the diet.

The problem with ultra-processed diets

From the point of view of the impact of diet on butyrate and SCFA production, it is worth paying attention to ultra-processed foods. A compilation of data covering a population of over four million people showed that high consumption of products such as fast food and salty and sweet snacks is associated with an increased risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease, particularly Crohn's disease.

Large amounts of processed fat and salt, combined with a lack of fibre and antioxidants, can gradually weaken the intestinal barrier and alter the microbiota in a way that promotes chronic inflammation.

Butyrate "deficiency" in the gut – effects

In the context of butyrate ‘deficiency’, the most important data show that people with inflammatory bowel disease have significantly lower concentrations of this acid in their faeces than healthy people. In the active phase of the disease, butyrate levels drop particularly sharply, while in remission they partially return to near-normal values.

Inflammatory bowel disease

Lower concentrations are usually accompanied by higher markers of inflammation and faster intestinal transit, indicating impaired microbiota function and reduced ability to produce butyrate. This picture is often referred to as "functional deficiency", in which intestinal epithelial cells receive less energy, the intestinal barrier becomes more permeable, and the local immune response shifts towards inflammation.

Butyrate levels and intestinal cancer

Studies comparing butyrate levels in the faeces of people with colorectal cancer and healthy individuals have found that higher concentrations of this acid were associated with a lower risk of disease. These are not data from supplementation, but observations of the relationship between natural butyrate production and cancer risk. In practice, this suggests that persistently low butyrate levels, resulting, for example, from a diet low in fermentable fibre and disturbed microbiota (e.g. due to antibiotics, alcohol, painkillers), may contribute to an environment conducive to the development of colorectal cancer.

Effects of sodium butyrate use

In therapeutic applications, the most reliable data concern the prevention of traveller's diarrhoea. In analyses comparing various prophylactic strategies, sodium butyrate ranked among the most effective interventions, alongside rifaximin and selected probiotic preparations. Doses of several grams per day were used, often in combination with other ingredients.

Strengthening the intestinal barrier

The mechanism of action is mainly explained by the strengthening of the intestinal barrier, the beneficial effect on the microbiota and the alleviation of local inflammation. No increased incidence of adverse events compared to placebo was reported.

Butyrate in PCOS

Sodium butyrate also appears in analyses of PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), a hormonal disorder that can result in infertility in women. In studies involving more than a thousand women after sodium butyrate supplementation, a decrease in testosterone levels and an improvement in insulin resistance indicators, i.e. disease progression indicators, were observed. The most promising effects were associated with sodium butyrate and complex synbiotics (a combination of probiotics and prebiotics).

Sugar metabolism and sodium butyrate

In metabolic studies confirming a real increase in SCFA concentrations after sodium butyrate supplementation, a small but significant reduction in fasting insulin levels and an improvement in the HOMA-IR (homeostatic index of insulin resistance) were observed, with no change in fasting blood glucose levels. These are markers of risk and progression of type 2 diabetes. This was most pronounced in interventions with propionate and SCFA mixtures, although some trials also included butyrate, including sodium butyrate.

Nutrient utilisation

Data from animal nutrition also provide an interesting perspective, although they remain entirely preclinical. In studies on broilers (chickens), supplementation with controlled-release sodium butyrate improved growth rate, body weight and feed nutrient utilisation, and beneficial changes were observed in the intestines, such as higher intestinal villi, without increasing food intake. These results further emphasise the importance of observations made in humans. This proves that sodium butyrate can strengthen the intestinal barrier and facilitate the utilisation of nutrients between species.

General characteristics of sodium butyrate

Sodium butyrate dosage

In preventive studies, sodium butyrate doses of several grams per day were most commonly used, usually divided into two or three portions, and similar or slightly higher amounts were used for therapeutic purposes. Dosage ranges exceeding 1 g per day were considered well tolerated. It is worth noting that butyrate supplementation works well in combination with other preparations.

The most reasonable combination is with fermentable fibre (e.g. inulin). Synbiotics, i.e. combinations of probiotics and prebiotics that support the growth of butyrate-producing bacteria, are also a good supplement.

Author: Jakub Wiącek - Neurobiologist and Dietitian

TOP 3 ranking of sodium butyrate supplements

Based on popularity and customer reviews on the SFD STORE

1. ALLNUTRITION GUT BALANCE 90 capsules

ALLNUTRITION Gut Balance is a dietary supplement combining sodium butyrate with a probiotic complex (LactoSpore) and digestive enzymes (DigeZyme), as well as the prebiotic ingredient Fibregum™. Sodium butyrate provides butyric acid, which is often chosen to support intestinal microflora and maintain digestive comfort. Probiotic strains and enzymes help supplement the daily diet with ingredients that support digestive system functions, making the product interesting for people who care about their microbiota balance.

2. ALLNUTRITION Sodium Butyrate SR 120 capsules

ALLNUTRITION Sodium Butyrate SR is a dietary supplement containing microencapsulated butyric acid in the form of extended-release sodium butyrate. Each serving provides 480 mg of butyric acid, which is often chosen as an ingredient to support digestive comfort. Extended release means that the substance acts gradually in the digestive tract, which may facilitate its use. This product is convenient for daily supplementation and does not contain unnecessary flavour additives.

3. SFD NUTRITION Sodium Butyrate Forte 180 capsules

SFD NUTRITION Sodium Butyrate Forte is a dietary supplement in capsules containing 1200 mg of sodium butyrate, including 960 mg of butyric acid in a daily dose (2 capsules). Sodium butyrate is commonly used to supplement the diet with butyric acid, which plays an important role in intestinal physiology. This product, with its high active ingredient content, can be a practical part of daily supplementation for those looking for a formula with a higher concentration of butyrate.

Sources:

• Zhuang, X., Li, T., Li, M., Huang, S., Qiu, Y., Feng, R., Zhang, S., Chen, M., Xiong, L., & Zeng, Z. (2019). Systematic Review and Meta-analysis: Short-Chain Fatty Acid Characterization in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Inflammatory bowel diseases, 25(11), 1751–1763. https://doi.org/10.1093/ibd/izz188
• Chulenbayeva, L., Jarmukhanov, Z., Kaliyekova, K., Kozhakhmetov, S., & Kushugulova, A. (2025). Quantitative Alterations in Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Biomolecules, 15(7), 1017. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom15071017
• He, Y., Peng, K., Tan, J., Hao, Y., Zhang, S., Gao, C., & Li, L. (2025). Short-Chain Fatty Acids and Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Integrative Bayesian Meta-Analysis of Microbiome-Metabolome Interactions and Intervention Efficacy. Nutrients, 17(22), 3552. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17223552
• Feng, X., Xiao, J., Wang, D., Fu, X., Gao, J., Jiang, M., Li, J., Jiang, L., Liang, X., Huang, Y., & Jiang, Q. (2025). Butyric acid ameliorates PCOS-related reproductive dysfunction through gut-brain-ovary axis signaling and ovarian steroidogenic factor activation. Frontiers in endocrinology, 16, 1604302. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2025.1604302
• Pham, N. H. T., Joglekar, M. V., Wong, W. K. M., Nassif, N. T., Simpson, A. M., & Hardikar, A. A. (2024). Short-chain fatty acids and insulin sensitivity: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrition reviews, 82(2), 193–209. https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuad042