Healthy gut bacteria is key to managing autoimmunity and other chronic disorders in part because they produce short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), compounds that help modulate the immune system and dampen inflammation. The primary SCFA we look at in relation to immune health is called butyrate.
Butyrate is so important to intestinal cells they will die without it. Researchers at Yale also suggest the gut is less likely to experience inflammation in the presence of butyrate.
Because the health of the gut is so vital to managing autoimmunity, it’s important to ensure your gut has plenty of SCFA-producing gut bacteria. Leaky gut is well known for its role in autoimmune conditions and promoting an abundant and diverse population of gut bacteria is an important strategy.
So how do we increase butyrate levels?
- Eat an abundant amount and wide variety of vegetables and fruits daily
- Eat foods rich in beneficial bacteria
- Take butyrate supplements
Eating ample amounts of plant produce feeds healthy gut bacteria, which then produce butyrate as a byproduct. Fermented and cultured foods, such as kimchi and sauerkraut, can also aid you in your butyrate boosting quest.
While butyrate supplements can also be helpful, SCFAs are most effective when produced where they are needed — in the colon.
Eat lots of produce and a wide variety
Good gut bacteria thrive on fiber. Some of the best sources of fiber include dark green leafy vegetables. Also, make sure you are not eating the same produce over and over but instead include a wide variety of vegetables in your diet.
This supports not only gut health also the body’s ability to sustain oral tolerance. Healthy oral tolerance means you respond appropriately to various foods without developing food sensitivities.
How much produce? Produce should make up most of each meal. The new recommended guideline is to consume seven to 10 servings of produce per day. A serving is a half cup of chopped vegetable or fruit, or a cup of leafy greens.
Make sure to not overdo it on sugary fruits as they can negatively affect blood sugar levels. Instead, focus on vegetables.
Eat foods rich in beneficial yeast and bacteria
Fermented foods such as cultured vegetables and coconut water kefir are good sources of beneficial bacteria and yeast. There are now many quality store-bought ferments, and you can find plenty of recipes online for making your own.
Some people with yeast overgrowth or histamine sensitivities can have problems with ferments and will need to address those issues first.
Probiotics to support gut bacteria populations
Probiotics can be a good way to support gut bacteria populations. I prefer shelf-stable strains that can withstand stomach acid so they survive intact to inoculate the upper and lower intestine. If a probiotic must be refrigerated its integrity in the warm, acidic environment of the stomach is questionable.
I recommend probiotics that reduce intestinal ammonia, improve intestinal pH, increase SCFA, and improve the balance of healthy bacteria in the intestines. The strains below appear to combat toxins, candida, and bacterial infection, as well as nourish intestinal cells.
- Saccharomyces boulardii is a non-pathogenic yeast resistant to stomach acid, bile, and pancreatic juices so it can inoculate the upper and lower gastrointestinal tracts effectively. Additionally, antibiotics have no impact on these organisms so the two can be taken together without contraindications. Numerous studies have shown it is effective for diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, intestinal infection, and inflammatory bowel conditions.
- Lactobacillus sporogenes is a gram-positive, spore-forming, lactic-acid producing bacillus. It has the ability to pass through the stomach in spore form and multiply rapidly in the intestines. It supports desirable bacteria while inhibiting pathogenic microorganisms.
- The DDS-1 Lactobacilli acidophilus strain is considered the most stable probiotic. It inhibits the growth of 23 toxin-producing microorganisms and produces natural antibiotic acidophilin; enzymes to digest protein, fat, and lactase; and B vitamins, folic acid and B-12. It also produces hydrogen peroxide to fight adverse bacterial and yeast overgrowth. It is effective for diarrhea, intestinal bacteria and yeast overgrowths, and intestinal inflammation.
Arabinogalactan
I also find arabinogalactan, a compound made up of protein and sugar, helpful for immune support. In addition to being a food supply for friendly bacteria, it also has been shown to stimulate and modulate the function of immune cells.
Arabinogalactan is non-digestible and resists breakdown by intestinal enzymes, allowing it to populate the large intestine and support colonic bacteria. It has been shown to increase the production of healthy and beneficial microorganisms, including SCFA and beneficial microflora. Lastly, these compounds have been shown to improve the integrity of the gastrointestinal immune system.
While there are multiple pieces to the puzzle of supporting gut health and managing autoimmunity, promoting SCFA in the gut is one important element to address.
For more detailed information about the probiotic strains mentioned above, please see my brain book.
Please tell me where to find the brand of supplements you recommend. I would like to try exogenous Butyrate but there seems to be many kinds with sodium or calcium magnesium.
These are formulated by Apex Energetics.
Hi Debby,
Dr. Kharrazian uses Apex Energetics’ EnteroVite for his patients. It does contain calcium propionate. Apex is a practitioner brand, ie: a patient must access their line via a practitioner. Members of his online courses also have access to Apex (US and UK only, due to Apex’s rules).
He recommended a botanical called postatine, not sure of the spelling, on an interview with Ari Whitton. Please tell me the correct spelling and where I can find it.
Thank you.
Hi Catherine,
I believe the supplement you are referring to is vinpocetine. He talks about it in his book. If you search online you can easily find it.
Could Enterovite help with bowel movements? I seem to rely only on a magnesium oxide to have a bowel movement. heard great things from Dr. K about Butyrate. Would love to know if Enterovite would help me induce motility and bowel movements!
It’s not a supplement known to work in this way. It more generally supports SCFAs.