Sodium Butyrate
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Sodium Butyrate (Sodium butyrate (C₄H₇NaO₂)) is a dietary supplement with 8 published peer-reviewed studies involving 222 participants, researched for IBD & Gut Inflammation, Gut Health & Barrier Function, Metabolic Effects and 1 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
IBD & Gut Inflammation
StrongGut Health & Barrier Function
StrongMetabolic Effects
WeakInflammatory Bowel Disease
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
IBD & Gut Inflammation
To evaluate oral sodium butyrate as adjunct therapy in mild-moderate ulcerative colitis.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate oral sodium butyrate as adjunct therapy in mild-moderate ulcerative colitis.
Dose
4 g/day enteric-coated sodium butyrate
Participants
35 patients with mild-moderate UC
Duration
6 weeks
Results
Sodium butyrate significantly improved DAI scores and reduced fecal calprotectin levels. Clinical remission achieved in 53% of butyrate group vs 27% placebo.
How They Measured It
Disease Activity Index (DAI), endoscopic score, fecal calprotectin
To assess sodium butyrate enemas in refractory distal ulcerative colitis.
Study Type
Open-label pilot study
Purpose
To assess sodium butyrate enemas in refractory distal ulcerative colitis.
Dose
100 mM butyrate enema (100 mL) twice daily
Participants
13 patients with refractory distal UC
Duration
4 weeks
Results
9 of 13 patients showed clinical improvement. Endoscopic and histological improvement observed in 7 of 13 patients. Butyrate enemas were well tolerated.
How They Measured It
Clinical improvement, endoscopic healing, histological scores
To evaluate butyrate enemas for Crohn's disease affecting the distal colon.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate butyrate enemas for Crohn's disease affecting the distal colon.
Dose
100 mM butyrate enema daily
Participants
20 patients with distal colonic Crohn's disease
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Butyrate enemas significantly improved CDAI and endoscopic scores. Mucosal NF-κB activity was significantly reduced in butyrate-treated tissue.
How They Measured It
CDAI, endoscopic scores, mucosal cytokine levels
Gut Health & Barrier Function
To evaluate oral sodium butyrate on intestinal permeability and gut barrier function.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate oral sodium butyrate on intestinal permeability and gut barrier function.
Dose
300 mg sodium butyrate three times daily
Participants
36 patients with increased intestinal permeability
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Sodium butyrate significantly reduced lactulose/mannitol ratio and fecal zonulin, indicating improved gut barrier function. Tight junction proteins were upregulated.
How They Measured It
Lactulose/mannitol ratio, fecal zonulin, tight junction protein expression
To assess sodium butyrate on gut microbiome and intestinal health in IBS-C patients.
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To assess sodium butyrate on gut microbiome and intestinal health in IBS-C patients.
Dose
600 mg/day enteric-coated sodium butyrate
Participants
66 IBS-C patients
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Sodium butyrate significantly improved stool frequency and consistency. Fecal butyrate levels increased and correlated with symptom improvement.
How They Measured It
Stool frequency, Bristol Stool Scale, fecal microbiome, fecal SCFA
Metabolic Effects
To evaluate oral butyrate on insulin sensitivity and metabolic parameters.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate oral butyrate on insulin sensitivity and metabolic parameters.
Dose
4 g/day sodium butyrate
Participants
40 patients with type 2 diabetes
Duration
4 weeks
Results
Sodium butyrate showed modest improvement in insulin sensitivity but did not significantly change HbA1c or lipid profile at 4 weeks. Longer studies needed.
How They Measured It
Insulin sensitivity (OGTT), fasting glucose, HbA1c, lipid profile
To evaluate effects of oral butyrate on peripheral and hepatic insulin sensitivity.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover
Purpose
To evaluate effects of oral butyrate on peripheral and hepatic insulin sensitivity.
Dose
4 g/day sodium butyrate
Participants
12 obese men with metabolic syndrome
Duration
4 weeks per arm
Results
Oral butyrate did not significantly affect peripheral or hepatic insulin sensitivity in this short-term study, despite improved fecal butyrate levels.
How They Measured It
Hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp, hepatic glucose output
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
To evaluate efficacy of microencapsulated sodium butyrate as add-on therapy for inducing remission in mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis.
Study Type
Multi-Center, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled
Purpose
To evaluate efficacy of microencapsulated sodium butyrate as add-on therapy for inducing remission in mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis.
Dose
Microencapsulated sodium butyrate 600 mg three times daily
Participants
Patients with mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Microencapsulated sodium butyrate significantly improved clinical remission rates and reduced inflammatory markers as add-on therapy in ulcerative colitis.
How They Measured It
Mayo Clinic Score, fecal calprotectin, histological activity index, quality of life
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sodium Butyrate research
There are currently 8 peer-reviewed studies on Sodium Butyrate (Sodium butyrate (C₄H₇NaO₂)), involving 222 total participants. Research covers Gut health, IBD support, Anti-inflammatory and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (8 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Sodium Butyrate has been researched for: Gut health, IBD support, Anti-inflammatory, Metabolic health. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 8 out of 8 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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