Modulation of the gut microbiota is a trending strategy to improve health. While butyrate has been identified as a key health-related microbial metabolite, managing its supply to the host remains challenging. Therefore, this study investigated the potential to manage butyrate supply via tributyrin oil supplementation (TB; glycerol with three butyrate molecules) using the ex vivo SIFR^® (Systemic Intestinal Fermentation Research) technology, a highly reproducible, in vivo predictive gut model that accurately preserves in vivo-derived microbiota and enables addressing interpersonal differences. Dosing 1 g TB/L significantly increased butyrate with 4.1 (±0.3) mM, corresponding with 83 ± 6% of the theoretical butyrate content of TB. Interestingly, co-administration of Limosilactobacillus reuteri ATCC 53608 (REU) and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus ATCC 53103 (LGG) markedly enhanced butyrate to levels that exceeded the theoretical butyrate content of TB (138 ± 11% for REU; 126 ± 8% for LGG). Both TB + REU and TB + LGG stimulated Coprococcus catus, a lactate-utilizing, butyrate-producing species. The stimulation of C. catus with TB + REU was remarkably consistent across the six human adults tested. It is hypothesized that LGG and REU ferment the glycerol backbone of TB to produce lactate, a precursor of butyrate. TB + REU also significantly stimulated the butyrate-producing Eubacterium rectale and Gemmiger formicilis and promoted microbial diversity. The more potent effects of REU could be due to its ability to convert glycerol to reuterin, an antimicrobial compound. Overall, both the direct butyrate release from TB and the additional butyrate production via REU/LGG-mediated cross-feeding were highly consistent. This contrasts with the large interpersonal differences in butyrate production that are often observed upon prebiotic treatment. Combining TB with LGG and especially REU is thus a promising strategy to consistently supply butyrate to the host, potentially resulting in more predictable health benefits.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of ButyraGen^®, a direct butyrate generator, on digestive health in a real-world setting. A 6-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, virtual clinical study was conducted starting with 596 participants. Participants were randomly assigned to either the 200 mg ButyraGen^® active or placebo group. Questionnaires were administered electronically to assess gastrointestinal health outcomes. Statistically significant improvements were observed in belly pain for the active ButyraGen^® group compared with the placebo group, particularly in women, and particularly in post-menopausal women. The active group showed a higher likelihood of achieving clinically significant improvements in digestive health measures. ButyraGen^® supplementation demonstrated statistically significant benefits in rapidly improving gastrointestinal health and quality of life, especially in women and those with upper and lower GI symptoms.

Adaptogens are substances touted for their ability to promote resilience to stress. With more individuals reporting a greater degree of perceived stress, renewed attention has been focused on novel adaptogen complexes for stress reduction. Salidroside is a potent adaptogen found in the Rhodiola root, traditionally credited with increasing resistance to physical and mental stressors, while recent science has uncovered the neuroprotective effects of L-malic acid. The main objective of this study was to determine if daily supplementation of a novel salidroside and L-malic acid complex, across two dosing levels, could improve markers of perceived stress and its downstream effects, including anxiety and sleep disturbance. A 6-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical study was conducted on individuals who subjectively reported a 30% room for improvement in perceived stress. Post hoc subgroup analysis was also conducted to determine if subpopulations experienced any enhanced benefits. Clinically meaningful improvements were reported in perceived stress and anxiety across the study population. Furthermore, men and non-premenopausal women saw enhanced benefits in emotional appraisal and sleep, suggesting hormonal interactions may be an underlying factor. SalidroPRO™ is a new dietary ingredient complex that may support rapid and sustained psychological well-being.