Origin & tradition
Not traditional as a supplement: butyrate is produced by gut bacteria fermenting dietary fiber and is the primary fuel for colonocytes.
Western tradition · SCFA / Epigenetic
Butyrate (Sodium Butyrate / Tributyrin)
A gut-derived HDAC inhibitor that extends lifespan in multiple animal models, promotes autophagy, and supports intestinal barrier integrity.
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Why longevity buyers care
Key active: Butyrate (short-chain fatty acid — HDAC inhibitor).
Butyrate inhibits class I/IIa HDACs, upregulating autophagy genes and suppressing mTOR. In flies (12%) and mice (19%), oral butyrate or its prodrug tributyrin extends lifespan. Human trials focus on gut health, IBD, and metabolic syndrome; longevity-specific RCTs are emerging.
Effect summary
Studied health outcomes
Editorial summary — This table is curated by hand from published research consensus, not automatically calculated from our trial database. Grades reflect our interpretation of the literature. Treat as a starting point, not a definitive verdict. See the Evidence panel below for the underlying trial and paper counts sourced directly from ClinicalTrials.gov and PubMed.
| Health outcome | Effect | Magnitude | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gut barrier integrity / tight junctions | Increases | Moderate | B |
| Gut inflammation | Decreases | Moderate | B |
| Gut microbiome composition | Increases | Moderate | B |
| Insulin sensitivity | Increases | Minor | C |
| Colon cancer markers (adjunct) | Decreases | Minor | C |
Grade: A = robust RCTs · B = several RCTs / meta-analysis · C = limited or mixed RCTs · D = observational or early data
Dosage guidance
How Butyrate (Sodium Butyrate / Tributyrin) is typically used
- Typical dose
- 300–600 mg/day sodium butyrate
- Form
- capsule (sodium or calcium/magnesium butyrate — enteric-coated preferred)
- Timing
- with meals
Butyrate is the preferred fuel for colonocytes (colon cells). Produced naturally from dietary fiber fermentation by gut bacteria. Getting butyrate from fiber (oats, resistant starch, inulin) is likely more effective than supplementing — but supplements help those with disrupted gut microbiome. Enteric-coated forms survive stomach acid better.
Informational only — not a prescription or personalised medical advice. Consult a qualified clinician before starting any supplement or medication.
Evidence summary
What the research actually says
71Evidence confidence
Extensive human-trial evidence207 randomized controlled trials · 41 meta-analyses / systematic reviews
Strong animal lifespan data; gut/metabolic human RCTs; aging trials early
Butyrate inhibits class I/IIa HDACs, upregulating autophagy genes and suppressing mTOR. In flies (12%) and mice (19%), oral butyrate or its prodrug tributyrin extends lifespan. Human trials focus on gut health, IBD, and metabolic syndrome; longevity-specific RCTs are emerging.
116registered clinical trials reference this intervention
0selected peer-reviewed papers (longevity / aging angle)
Key active: Butyrate (short-chain fatty acid — HDAC inhibitor).
According to PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov: trial counts from ClinicalTrials.gov, peer-reviewed literature from PubMed. Counts auto-refresh weekly; last checked 2026-06-12. They include trials across many endpoints, not only longevity.
Informational only — not medical advice, a treatment claim, or a substitute for a qualified clinician. Evidence strength varies; we show mixed and null results on purpose.
Evidence collections
Butyrate (Sodium Butyrate / Tributyrin) appears in
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