Human body hosts trillions of bacteria and can’t live without – with the highest density in our guts.
The microbial flora in the human gut plays an important role in health and disease and antibiotics are one of the biggest threats to human gut flora.
Short-chain fatty acids (Acetic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid) are the major products of colonic bacterial fermentation of dietary carbohydrates.
Butyrate is an energy source for colonocytes and an anticarcinogenic agent preventing growth and stimulating differentiation of colon epithelial cells. Acetate is used as a substrate for liver cholesterol and fatty acid synthesis.
Health promoting benefits of propionic acid:
Modulating immune system
Anti-lipogenic
Cholesterol-lowering effects
Weight control
Reduces appetite
An antiproliferative effect towards colon cancer cells
