Short-chain fatty acid
Short-chain fatty acids are fatty acids with fewer than six carbon atoms. Derived from intestinal microbial fermentation of indigestible foods, SCFAs are the main energy source of colonocytes, making them crucial to gastrointestinal health.Functions
SCFAs are produced when dietary fiber is fermented in the colon. Macronutrient composition of diets affects circulating SCFAs.
Acetate, propionate, and butyrate are the three most common SCFAs.
SCFAs and medium-chain fatty acids are primarily absorbed through the portal vein during lipid digestion, while long-chain fatty acids are packed into chylomicrons, enter lymphatic capillaries, then transfer to the blood at the subclavian vein.
SCFAs have diverse physiological roles in body functions. They can affect the production of lipids, energy and vitamins. They can also affect appetite and cardiometabolic health. Butyrate is particularly important for colon health because it is the primary energy source for colonocytes. The liver can use acetate for energy.
