Meta Information
ID:butyrate
Name:
Schema Version:AIM-2.0
Interactions
Target id:
/dietary/meal
Target name:
Any Caloric Meal
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
requirement
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
Butyrate is an acid and can cause gastrointestinal upset or nausea when taken on an empty stomach. Taking it with food mitigates this risk.
Actionable advice:
Always take butyrate supplements with a meal or a substantial snack.
Target id:
/dietary/high-fiber-meal
Target name:
High-Fiber Foods (e.g., legumes, whole grains, vegetables)
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
synergistic
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Dietary fiber is fermented by gut bacteria to produce endogenous butyrate, complementing the effects of supplementation and supporting overall gut health.
Actionable advice:
Consume a diet rich in fiber to naturally support butyrate production alongside supplementation.
Target id:
/intervention/inulin
Target name:
Inulin (Prebiotic Fiber)
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
synergistic
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Prebiotic fibers like inulin serve as a substrate for gut bacteria to produce more of their own butyrate, creating a powerful synergistic effect for colon health.
Actionable advice:
Consider taking with a prebiotic fiber source to enhance both endogenous and exogenous butyrate benefits.
Target id:
/intervention/probiotics
Target name:
Probiotics
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
synergistic
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Probiotic supplements introduce beneficial bacteria that can produce butyrate from fiber, working in concert with direct butyrate supplementation to support the gut microbiome.
Actionable advice:
Combine with a quality probiotic to support the entire gut health ecosystem.
Target id:
/class/antidiabetic-medications
Target name:
Diabetes Medications
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Butyrate can improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood glucose, potentially increasing the effect of diabetes medications and raising the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Actionable advice:
Monitor blood glucose closely when starting butyrate and consult your doctor, as medication dosages may need adjustment.
Target id:
/intervention/metformin_systemic_healthspan
Target name:
Metformin
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
synergistic
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Metformin can favorably alter the gut microbiome to increase butyrate-producing bacteria; co-administration may enhance the gut-mediated metabolic benefits of both compounds.
Actionable advice:
Taking butyrate with metformin may amplify shared benefits for metabolic and gut health.
Target id:
/class/glp-1-receptor-agonists
Target name:
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
synergistic
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Butyrate naturally stimulates the release of GLP-1 from intestinal cells, potentially enhancing the effects of GLP-1 agonist medications on satiety and glucose control.
Actionable advice:
Combining with GLP-1 agonists may provide additive benefits; monitor for increased gastrointestinal side effects.
Target id:
/intervention/valproic-acid
Target name:
Valproic Acid (and other HDAC inhibitors)
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Butyrate is a natural histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor. Combining it with pharmaceutical HDAC inhibitors like valproic acid could lead to excessive, unpredictable, or adverse effects.
Actionable advice:
Avoid using butyrate supplements if you are taking prescription HDAC inhibitors unless directed by a physician.
Target id:
/class/anticoagulants-antiplatelets
Target name:
Anticoagulants and Antiplatelets
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
There is a theoretical risk based on in-vitro data that short-chain fatty acids may have mild antiplatelet effects, potentially increasing bleeding risk when combined with these medications.
Actionable advice:
Use with caution and consult a healthcare provider if you are on blood-thinning medication.
Target id:
/class/potassium-elevators
Target name:
Potassium-Elevating Drugs (ACEi, ARBs, K-Sparing Diuretics)
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Potassium butyrate supplements can significantly increase potassium intake, leading to a dangerous risk of hyperkalemia (high blood potassium) when combined with medications that also raise potassium.
Actionable advice:
Avoid potassium butyrate if you take ACE inhibitors, ARBs, or potassium-sparing diuretics; choose a different salt form.
Target id:
/condition/renal-impairment
Target name:
Renal Impairment
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Impaired kidney function reduces the ability to excrete minerals like sodium and potassium, making the salt load from butyrate supplements potentially dangerous.
Actionable advice:
Avoid butyrate supplements, especially sodium or potassium salts, if you have kidney disease.
Target id:
/condition/heart-failure
Target name:
Heart Failure or Hypertension
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Sodium butyrate contains a significant sodium load, which can increase blood pressure and cause fluid retention, worsening these conditions.
Actionable advice:
Avoid sodium butyrate if you have heart failure or hypertension; opt for a calcium/magnesium salt form if approved by your doctor.
Target id:
/class/antibiotics-long-term
Target name:
Antibiotics (Long-term Use)
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
synergistic
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Long-term antibiotic use can deplete the gut bacteria that produce butyrate. Supplementation can help replenish this key colonic fuel source and support gut lining integrity.
Actionable advice:
Consider taking butyrate during and after a course of antibiotics to support gut health.
Target id:
/class/chelating-antibiotics
Target name:
Chelating Antibiotics (Tetracyclines, Quinolones)
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
2
Hours after target:
4
Description:
The calcium and magnesium in some butyrate supplements can bind to certain antibiotics in the gut, significantly reducing their absorption and effectiveness.
Actionable advice:
If taking calcium/magnesium butyrate, separate doses from these antibiotics by at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after.
Target id:
/class/thyroid-hormones
Target name:
Thyroid Hormones
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
4
Hours after target:
4
Description:
Calcium and magnesium, found in some forms of butyrate, can interfere with the absorption of thyroid hormone medication, reducing its efficacy.
Actionable advice:
Separate calcium/magnesium butyrate doses from thyroid medication by at least 4 hours.
Target id:
/condition/pregnancy
Target name:
Pregnancy
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
The safety of high-dose butyrate supplementation during pregnancy has not been established.
Actionable advice:
Avoid butyrate supplementation during pregnancy unless specifically recommended by your healthcare provider.
Target id:
/condition/lactation
Target name:
Breastfeeding (Lactation)
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
It is unknown if supplemental butyrate passes into breast milk or what effects it may have on an infant; safety has not been established.
Actionable advice:
Avoid butyrate supplementation while breastfeeding due to a lack of safety data.