How does Sodium Butyrate help in the treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease?
Introduction
Our digestive tract includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine and large intestine. Inflammatory bowel disease occurs due to prolonged inflammation in the digestive tract. This condition leads to abdominal pain, weight loss, and severe diarrhea.
Sodium butyrate delays hypersensitivity, reduces inflammation and provides immunity to epithelial cells to fight from any infection.
What is inflammatory bowel disease?
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is chronic inflammation in the digestive tract and can be of two types- Ulcerative colitis (ulcer and inflammation of the large intestine and rectum) and Crohn’s disease (swollen and irritation in the small and large intestine).
Causes
Although the exact manner of development of the disease is still unknown but generally environmental, compromised immunity and genetic factors lead to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Symptoms
Symptoms of IBD vary in every patient depending upon age, condition and severity of the disease.
Some common signs of both types of IBD are-
- Diarrhea
- Blood in stool
- Abdominal pain
- Lower abdominal irritation
- Reduced appetite
- Frequent weight loss
- Discomfort excretion
- Anal fissures
- Rectal bleeding
- Fever
Treatment
We recommend doctor’s advice and prescribed medication. However, anti-inflammatory, antibiotics, and medicine can help to reduce inflammation and discomfort but IBD cannot be cured. Changes in lifestyle and diet also reduce the level of irritation and abdominal disorders.
Side effects
The medication comes with unwanted side effects, some common ones include-
- Irregular menstruation
- Unpleasant taste
- Muscle pain
- Behavioral change
- Stomach ache
- Weakness
- Nausea
- Taste
Complications
IBD can lead to severe complications if not treated on time. Abscesses, colon cancer, bowel obstructions, anal fissures, malnutrition and ulcers are common risk factors associated with it.
What is sodium butyrate?
The sodium salt of butyric acid, sodium butyrate is used to treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease. This medication shows anti-inflammatory effects, inhibiting further proliferation and repression of gene expression.
How does sodium butyrate help in IBD?
Research proves that sodium butyrate inhibits inflammation and manages the health of the epithelium barrier. The epithelium barrier is present in the intestine that regulates nutrient absorption and maintains the permeability of water. It also restricts the entry of bacterial toxins and different types of pathogens.
Sodium butyrate is also responsible to provide energy and immunity to epithelial cells thus, stimulating their growth. This encourages the formation of gut-friendly bacteria.
It delays hypersensitivity and reduces various irritations as well as discomfort associated with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Conclusion
Inflammatory bowel disease disturbs and creates an imbalance in the intestinal flora. In IBD the number of beneficial gut bacteria is reduced due to which pathogenic and harmful bacteria successfully increase their growth. The exact cause behind Inflammatory Bowel Disease is still unknown but it would not be wrong to say that excessive pathogenesis in the digestive tract leads to IBD.
Sodium butyrate is found in dietary supplements as well hence, a high fiber diet is not encouraged by health experts for IBD patients. Studies found the effect of sodium butyrate effective and promising as it provides immunity to good bacteria, and repair and maintain the epithelial layer to ensure regular exchange of ions, nutrients and water.
It also functions as an anti-inflammatory and prevents the new development of pathogenic colonies. Sodium butyrate inhibits bacterial infection from entering the blood, improves body weight and has a long-lasting therapeutic effect.