What does Short-Chain Fatty Acids do in your body?
Butyrate, acetate and propionate — made when bacteria ferment fiber. Butyrate is the main fuel for colon-lining cells.
What does Short-Chain Fatty Acids do?
Fuels colon cells, supports the gut barrier and acts as signaling molecules.
Which foods contain Short-Chain Fatty Acids?
Not eaten directly — produced from fiber and resistant starch.
What is known and unknown about Short-Chain Fatty Acids?
Butyrate's role as colon cell fuel is established. Many proposed whole-body effects come from animal studies.
Evidence & sources
Butyrate produced by colonic bacteria is the primary energy source for colonocytes. Evidence: strong. Known: Well established in gut physiology. Unknown: Effects beyond the gut in humans are less clear. Source: Koh et al., Cell, From Dietary Fiber to Host Physiology: Short-Chain Fatty Acids as Key Bacterial Metabolites (2016).