Short-chain fatty acid

Functions

SCFAs are produced when dietary fiber is fermented in the colon. 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, affecting the production of lipids, energy, and vitamins. Butyric acid supports large intestine health as the primary energy source for colonocytes – the epithelial cells of the colon. The liver can use acetate for energy.