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    July 02, 2020 5 min read

    gut health

    We’re sure you’ve heard the news by now that gut health is pretty important.


    In fact, it is often referred to as the “cornerstone of great health” and is without a doubt one of the most important areas of our health. 


    But what exactly makes your gut microbiota so important? 

    Gut health is now widely believed to play an essential role in our immunity, mood, sleep, digestion, brain health, and more.

    For one, your gut microbiome is home to  up to 1,000 different species of bacteria. And surprisingly enough, the impact of these bacteria extends far beyond just digestive health.

    Over  70% of your immune system cells are housed in your gut, making it absolutely essential when it comes to keeping the body healthy and fighting off dangerous viruses, pathogens, and bacteria.

    In addition, we also now know that approximately  90% of your body’s serotonin is produced in the digestive tract. Despite being a popular neurotransmitter, serotonin (also known as the “happy chemical”) is the perfect example of the complex connection between our mood and our gut.

    Without sufficient levels of serotonin, you’re  statistically left far more likely to experience depression, low mood, sleep disturbances, chronic pain, anxiety, feelings of low self-esteem, irritable bowel syndrome, and more.

     

     

    Why the health of your gut lining matters

    Besides the sensitive balance of “good” and “bad” bacteria found within your gut, this important health system also includes a vital ‘gatekeeper’ known as your gut barrier, or intestinal walls. 

    This extensive mucosal intestinal lining within your belly covers more than 4,000 square feet of surface area. Responsible for keeping harmful substances from ‘leaking’ out into the rest of your body, your gut lining creates a tight barrier that controls what gets released into your bloodstream.

     

    In other words, your gut lining is the final line of defense between your vital organs and toxins from the outside environment.

    Common modern lifestyle factors that can potentially damage the gut lining include frequent use of antibiotics and prescription medications, poor diet, insomnia, stress, overly processed foods, sugar, and alcohol consumption.

    When your gut barrier becomes damaged or inflamed, it may no longer be able to effectively keep out harmful germs, toxins, undigested food particles, and other substances, which may lead to a number of health issues caused by a leaky gut. 

    Leaky gut, also known as “increased intestinal permeability,” is still a fairly new term that is quickly gaining the interest and attention of many medical professionals around the world.

    According to one Harvard Health blog article, many researchers are now turning their attention to possible treatments to help patients deal with the many symptoms caused by this gut issue. 
     


    What is Butyrate?

    When your healthy gut bacteria digest tough prebiotic plant fibers, they produce what is known as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs).

    Butyrate, the most well-researched short-chain fatty acid produced by this process, is considered to be the most important energy source for the cells in your gut lining. This important health-supporting energy source breaks down dietary fibers that travel through your digestive tract, because your body is unable to. 

    In other words, if you want to repair your gut barrier, reduce inflammation, and heal a leaky gut, butyrate is absolutely KEY.


    Butyrate is required for protecting the integrity of the gut lining, supporting healthy immune functions in the colon, preventing disease in the digestive tract, and much more.

     


    How Can I Enhance Butyrate Production?

    There are multiple ways that you can help support your body’s natural butyrate production. One way is by following a ‘gut-friendly’ diet and lifestyle, and consuming plenty of prebiotics foods.

    These high fiber foods help feed the healthy bacteria in your gut and include choices like bananas, apples, leeks, onions, barley, oats, cocoa beans, cabbage, and more.

    Other factors that may help include getting plenty of rest, drinking enough water, daily exercise, and practicing proper stress management.

    If you’re looking to support butyrate production, it may also be important to note that some evidence suggests that a low-carb, high-fat, and high-protein diet (think Atkins or Keto) may negatively impact butyrate production, because it prohibits the consumption of many dietary prebiotic fibers.


    Thanks to new scientific advancements, it is also now possible to introduce butyrate directly into your gut, thanks to a new patented ingredient known as CoreBiome®.


    This revolutionary postbiotic is the first and only in the world to solve previous issues with encapsulating butyrate, such as bioavailability and smell issues.


    Whereas “regular” butyrate is usually metabolized in the stomach and small intestine, CoreBiome® gets directly to the colon where it is most needed for supporting immunity and overall health.

    This alone makes the CoreBiome® postbiotics included in our Primal Gut Restore the most groundbreaking and single most important postbiotic available.

    Although still a new concept in the medical world, postbiotics like butyrate are already being referred to as the next big thing in gut health, and potentially transformative to human health. Here are just a few reasons why butyrate is so important for gut health.

     


    6 Reasons Your Gut Needs Butyrate     


    1. Supports digestive health

    Without butyrate, the cells in your gut lining wouldn’t be able to perform their essential digestive functions. Healthy butyrate production helps keep gut inflammation in check (a leading cause of digestional issues) as well as keeps the gut cells and microbiota healthy, happy, and balanced.

     

    2. Promotes healthy inflammatory responses

    Butyrate acts as a “HDAC inhibitor” in the body, which means that it helps reduce inflammation in the gut by suppressing the activity of certain immune system cells. This is also essential for helping to create a hospitable environment for your microbiome to exist without sparking an acute inflammatory response.

     

    3. Antioxidant power

    Studies have shown that higher butyrate levels can increase an essential antioxidant known as glutathione. This antioxidant helps to neutralize free radical damage in the gut, a main cause of gut inflammation and all the health issues and illnesses that usually follow as a result of inflammation.

     


    4. Supports colon function

    Butyrate is an essential part of promoting healthy functioning of the colon (large intestine). It helps increase blood blow in the colon, as well as helps prevent some types of diarrhea, and promotes healthy colonic motility. Since the colon is the last major organ in the digestive tract, it’s largely responsible for the frequency and consistency of bowel movements.

     

    5. Supports healthy cognition & mood

    Butyrate has been shown to have the potential to support healthy cognition and brain health. As researchers begin to learn more and more about the complex interconnected relationship between the brain and gut, one thing is clear: the state of our gut has a big impact on how we feel emotionally and mentally. It’s believed that healthy butyrate levels may have certain neuroprotective benefits that help you think more clearly and feel better overall. 

     

    6. May help repair a leaky gut

    For individuals suffering from increased intestinal permeability (better known as a leaky gut), butyrate is essential. Since butyrate is the main energy source for the cells in your gut lining, it is highly important for helping to restore weakened intestinal walls and repair the cells in your gut lining.

     

    No matter which way you look at it, the short-chain fatty acid known as butyrate is essential for maintaining a strong gut barrier. This gut barrier helps keep out harmful toxins from leaking out into our bloodstream and helps create a positive environment for the very important healthy bacteria living in our gut. 

    As new advancements and technology emerge in gut health, we’re always thrilled to share the latest and greatest with you!

     

    DID YOU ENJOY LEARNING ABOUT THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD OF BUTYRATE? LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS, AS WELL AS WHAT YOU'D LIKE TO READ NEXT!

     

    AND REMEMBER...

     

    IT'S ABOUT YOU.  IT'S ABOUT YOUR HEALTH.  IT'S ABOUT RECONNECTING.

     

    All the best, 


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