What does the evidence show about Butyrate (tributyrin / sodium butyrate)'s effects?

Read Off Label rates the evidence for Butyrate (tributyrin / sodium butyrate) as Moderate and the benefit magnitude as moderate, producing an overall grade of B+ (7.1/10). Oral free butyrate has limited colonic delivery due to rapid small-bowel absorption.

What safety findings are reported for Butyrate (tributyrin / sodium butyrate)?

Butyrate (tributyrin / sodium butyrate) has a low risk profile in the database. Low (unpleasant smell/taste with sodium butyrate; tributyrin bypasses this; rare GI upset) Legal status: OTC.

Rankings / Immune & Inflammation

Butyrate (tributyrin / sodium butyrate)

Immune & Inflammation · Short-chain fatty acid

Tier B+

Reviewed by Read Off Label · Last reviewed Jun 8, 2026 · How we grade

anti-inflammatoryotc

7.1 / 10

Tier B+

Ev 6 Bn 5 Sf 9

Bottom line

Read Off Label grades Butyrate (tributyrin / sodium butyrate) as B+ (7.1/10) based on moderate evidence, moderate benefit magnitude, and a low-risk safety profile.

Oral free butyrate has limited colonic delivery due to rapid small-bowel absorption.

Studied, labeled, or reported-use context: 150-600 mg tributyrin 2-3x/day with meals — OTC; not individualized guidance.

What the evidence says

Oral free butyrate has limited colonic delivery due to rapid small-bowel absorption. Tributyrin, magnesium butyrate, coated sodium butyrate aim to reach the colon. More rationale-driven than trial-proven in healthy individuals. The strongest cited clinical evidence in this row concerns enema delivery for distal ulcerative colitis.

Mechanism

Primary SCFA fuel for colonocytes; HDAC inhibitor; anti-inflammatory via NF-κB modulation; strengthens tight junctions; tributyrin is a neutral-tasting triglyceride form surviving stomach delivery to colon

Studied, labeled, or reported dose & route

150-600 mg tributyrin 2-3x/day with meals

This records doses and routes described in studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use. It is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety; context changes with indication, formulation, health history, monitoring, and other medicines.

Citations

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Common questions

What does the evidence show about Butyrate (tributyrin / sodium butyrate)'s effects?: Read Off Label rates the evidence for Butyrate (tributyrin / sodium butyrate) as Moderate and the benefit magnitude as moderate, producing an overall grade of B+ (7.1/10). Oral free butyrate has limited colonic delivery due to rapid small-bowel absorption.
What safety findings are reported for Butyrate (tributyrin / sodium butyrate)?: Butyrate (tributyrin / sodium butyrate) has a low risk profile in the database. Low (unpleasant smell/taste with sodium butyrate; tributyrin bypasses this; rare GI upset) Legal status: OTC.
What doses or routes are reported for Butyrate (tributyrin / sodium butyrate)?: 150-600 mg tributyrin 2-3x/day with meals This is context from studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use; it is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety.
How does Butyrate (tributyrin / sodium butyrate) work?: Primary SCFA fuel for colonocytes; HDAC inhibitor; anti-inflammatory via NF-κB modulation; strengthens tight junctions; tributyrin is a neutral-tasting triglyceride form surviving stomach delivery to colon

This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.