Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFA) are the products of fermentation of insoluble fiber from diet (e.g., cellulose, resistant starch) by the bacteria in the gut. These fatty acids have been shown to play an important role in regulating metabolism in the gut and are closely associated with gastrointestinal diseases. Acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid are the most abundant, representing 90-95% of the SCFA present in the colon. A total of 13 SCFAs are quantified in stool to assist assessment of the gut health and inflammation.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN IF YOUR TOTAL SHORT CHAIN FATTY ACIDS RESULT IS TOO LOW?
SCFA supplements are most commonly found as butyric acid salts. Herbal medicines that can affect SCFA levels include berberine, passiflora edulis, Chinese Yam, trametes versicolor extract, lotus seed resistant starch, xylooligosaccharides from corn cobs, coptis chinensis, Reishi mushroom, Poria mushroom, Lingzhi mushroom, Daikenchuto. Sleep, diet, exercise and stress management needs to be evaluated. Be cautious with use of antibiotics.
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