short-chain fatty acids
Type: molecule Aliases: SCFAsSCFAacetatepropionatebutyrate
- Systems Analogy Healthy fuel packets produced by friendly gut bacteria that nourish and strengthen your gut lining.
- Formal Definition Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like acetate, propionate, and butyrate produced by gut microbial fermentation of dietary fibers, acting as signaling molecules that regulate metabolism, barrier integrity, and immune polarization.
Mentioned In
Scientific Sources & Literature Citations
- [1] Empirical Study Morrison DJ, Preston T. Formation of short chain fatty acids by the gut microbiota and their impact on human metabolism. Gut Microbes. 2016;7(3):189-200. ↗
"Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), the main metabolites produced by microbial fermentation of undigested dietary carbohydrates, play a key role in metabolic health."