From the Guidelines
Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are fatty acids with fewer than six carbon atoms, with the most common examples being acetate (C2), propionate (C3), and butyrate (C4), which are produced when dietary fiber is fermented by gut bacteria in the colon. The production of these SCFAs is influenced by the composition of the gut microbiota, which can be modulated by diet 1. Some of the key benefits of SCFAs include:
- Maintaining gut barrier function
- Regulating immune responses
- Influencing metabolism throughout the body
- Providing energy to colonic cells
- Exhibiting anti-inflammatory properties Other examples of SCFAs include formate (C1), valerate (C5), and caproate (C6) 1. These SCFAs can be increased in the gut through consumption of fiber-rich foods like vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains, which provide the substrates needed for bacterial fermentation and SCFA production 1. The most recent and highest quality study on this topic, published in 2024, highlights the importance of diet in maintaining gut health and reducing the risk of obesity, cardiovascular, and other age-related inflammatory diseases 1. Overall, SCFAs play a crucial role in maintaining gut health and overall well-being, and their production can be influenced by dietary choices.
From the Research
Examples of Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs)
Production of SCFAs
- SCFAs are produced by microbial fermentation of undigested food substances 2
- SCFAs are metabolites produced during the bacterial fermentation of dietary fiber in the intestinal tract 4
- SCFAs are the end products of dietary fiber and host glycan fermentation by the human gut microbiota (HGM) 5
Role of SCFAs
- SCFAs play a beneficial role in human gut health 2
- SCFAs influence colonic health through various mechanisms 2
- SCFAs have anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic effects 2, 4
- SCFAs play an important role in regulating energy metabolism and energy supply, as well as maintaining the homeostasis of the intestinal environment 3