YOUR GUT AND YOUR BRAIN

WHY BUTYRATE MATTERS MORE THAN YOU THINK

Have you ever had a “gut feeling” about something? That common phrase might

be more scientifically accurate than most people realize. The connection

between your gut and your brain is real, powerful, and could be the missing

piece in your health puzzle—especially if you’re concerned about your

cognitive health now or in the future.

We are excited to share some fascinating discoveries about a substance called

butyrate that’s creating quite a buzz in health circles. If you’ve never heard of

butyrate before, you’re not alone. But by the end of this article, you’ll

understand why this compound produced in your gut might be one of the most

important factors for keeping your brain healthy as you age.

WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL ABOUT THE GUT-BRAIN CONNECTION?

Think of the connection between your gut and brain as a busy two-way

highway. Information constantly travels back and forth through several routes:

➢ Your vagus nerve (a direct line of communication)

➢ Immune system signals

➢ Hormones that affect your mood and thinking

➢ Small molecules produced by your gut bacteria

For years, doctors treated gut problems and brain problems as completely

separate issues. Now we know better. What happens in your digestive systemdirectly impacts your brain function—and that’s where our story about

butyrate begins.

BUTYRATE:

YOUR BRAIN’S BEST FRIEND YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF

Butyrate is a fatty acid that certain bacteria in your colon produce when they

break down fiber from your food. While that might not sound very exciting, the

effects of butyrate on your brain health are pretty remarkable:

HOW BUTYRATE HELPS YOUR BRAIN

➢ It strengthens your brain’s protective barrier: Butyrate helps maintain

the blood-brain barrier, which keeps harmful substances from reaching

your brain tissue. Think of it as reinforcing the security system that

protects your brain.

➢ It fights brain inflammation: Ongoing inflammation in the brain is linked

to memory problems, mood disorders, and degenerative conditions.

Butyrate helps keep this inflammation in check.

➢ It supports your “feel good” chemicals: Many of your mood-regulating

neurotransmitters like serotonin are influenced by gut health and

butyrate levels.

➢ It promotes brain adaptability: Butyrate helps your brain form new

connections and adapt to changes, which is crucial for learning and

memory.➢ It regulates your brain’s immune cells: Butyrate helps control microglial

cells (your brain’s immune defenders) so they protect rather than

damage your brain tissue.

In simple terms, butyrate acts like a brain-protecting superhero that’s created

right in your own gut.

THE GI-MAP TEST

LOOKING UNDER THE HOOD OF YOUR GUT HEALTH

So how do you know if your body is producing enough butyrate? This is where

the GI-MAP test comes in—it’s like getting a detailed diagnostic scan of your

digestive system’s health.

The Gastrointestinal Microbial Assay Plus (GI-MAP) test isn’t your standard

stool test. It uses advanced technology to give a comprehensive picture of

what’s happening in your gut. The OMX stool analysis component specifically

looks at metabolites and markers that other tests miss.

WHAT YOUR GI-MAP RESULTS CAN TELL YOU ABOUT BUTYRATE

When you get your GI-MAP test results, here’s what to look for regarding

butyrate production:

Beneficial Bacteria Levels

The test measures bacteria like Faecalibacterium

prausnitzii (try saying that three times fast!), Roseburia, and Eubacterium

rectale. These are your main butyrate producers—think of them as your

personal butyrate factories.

Harmful Bacteria Overgrowth

Some unwelcome bacteria can crowd out your

butyrate producers, like weeds taking over a garden.

Overall Balance

The test shows if your gut community is in harmony or

discord.

Inflammation Markers

Things like calprotectin and lysozyme indicate

whether there’s inflammation that might be hampering butyrate production.

Digestive Function

The test evaluates how well you’re breaking down food

and absorbing nutrients, which affects your gut bacteria’s ability to make

butyrate.

Why Low Butyrate Should Be on Your Radar

The Brain Disease Connection

Here’s where things get really interesting. Scientists have found strong

connections between low butyrate levels and several serious brain disorders:

Alzheimer’s Disease

People with Alzheimer’s typically show significant differences in their gut

bacteria, particularly having fewer of those important butyrate-producing

bacteria. This shortage seems to be connected to:

➢ More inflammation in the brain

➢ Higher levels of those troublesome amyloid plaques

➢ A leakier blood-brain barrier

➢ Faster cognitive decline

Some studies have even shown that increasing butyrate levels can reduce

amyloid buildup and improve memory in animal models. While we need more

human studies, the connection is compelling.

PARKINSON’S DISEASE

The gut-brain link in Parkinson’s disease is particularly fascinating:

Many researchers now believe Parkinson’s might actually start in the gut, with

problematic proteins traveling up to the brain

People with Parkinson’s consistently show lower levels of butyrate-producing

bacteria

Digestive problems often show up years or even decades before the tremors

and movement difficulties

GUT IMBALANCES APPEAR TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE

INFLAMMATION THAT DRIVES THE DISEASE ACUTE GASTRIC

SYNDROME (AGS)

➢ Much less diversity of beneficial bacteria

➢ Significantly fewer butyrate producers

➢ High levels of inflammation markers

➢ A leaky gut barrier that allows harmful substances to enter the

bloodstream

This combination creates trouble for both digestive and brain health, as

inflammatory substances that shouldn’t be in your bloodstream can eventually

reach your brain.

READING YOUR GI-MAP RESULTS: WHAT TO LOOK FOR

When you get your GI-MAP test back, here are the key things to check regarding

your butyrate-producing potential:

BACTERIAL BALANCE:

LOOK FOR HEALTHY LEVELS OF THESE BUTYRATE

POWERHOUSES

Faecalibacterium prausnitzii: This is the superstar of butyrate production,

normally making up about 15% of healthy gut bacteria

Roseburia species: Another important contributor to butyrate levels

Eubacterium rectale: Yet another key player in butyrate production

Akkermansia muciniphila: While not directly making butyrate, it creates

favorable conditions for the bacteria that do

Unwanted Guests

Several troublemakers can disrupt butyrate production:

Clostridioides difficile: This bad actor can wipe out beneficial bacteria

Klebsiella species: Creates inflammation that harms butyrate producers

Harmful E. coli strains: These compete with your beneficial bacteria

Inflammation Signs

LOOK FOR THESE MARKERS THAT MIGHT INDICATE PROBLEMS:

Calprotectin: When elevated, it signals inflammation

Lysozyme: Another inflammation indicator

Secretory IgA: Abnormal levels suggest immune system problems that affect

your microbiome

BOOSTING YOUR BUTYRATE NATURALLY: SIMPLE STEPS THAT

MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE

If your GI-MAP test shows you’re low on butyrate-producing capacity, don’t

worry! There’s plenty you can do to turn things around!

FOOD CHOICES THAT FEED YOUR BUTYRATE PRODUCERS

Focus on fiber-rich foods: Your butyrate-producing bacteria love to feast on

certain types of fiber called prebiotics. Good sources include:

Green (unripe) bananas and plantains

Potatoes and rice that have been cooked and then cooled (yes, potato salad can

be good for you!)

Jerusalem artichokes

Oats and barley

Beans and lentils

Eat a rainbow of plants: Try to include 30+ different plant foods each week.

This diversity helps create a thriving community of beneficial bacteria.

Include polyphenol-rich foods: Berries, dark chocolate, green tea, and olive oil

all support the good bacteria that produce butyrate.

Add fermented foods: Kimchi, sauerkraut, and kefir can help restore balance to

your gut community.

LIFESTYLE CHANGES THAT SUPPORT BUTYRATE PRODUCTION

Tame your stress: Chronic stress is kryptonite to your butyrate producers.

Find what helps you relax, whether it’s meditation, deep breathing, walking in

nature, or even just laughing with friends.

Prioritize good sleep: Poor sleep wreaks havoc on your gut bacteria. Aim for

7-9 hours of quality sleep each night.

Move your body regularly: Moderate exercise promotes a diverse

microbiome that produces more butyrate.

Be wise about antibiotics: Sometimes they’re necessary, but use them only

when truly needed, as they can devastate your beneficial bacterial populations.

HELPFUL SUPPLEMENTS WHEN YOU NEED EXTRA SUPPORT

Based on your specific GI-MAP results, these supplements might be beneficial:

Butyrate supplements: Direct supplementation can help restore levels while

your gut bacteria recover.

Targeted probiotics: Specific strains like Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus

species can support butyrate production.

Prebiotic supplements: Supplements like inulin, FOS, and GOS feed your

beneficial bacteria.

Plant compounds: Extracts from grape seed, green tea, or pomegranate can

nurture beneficial bacteria.

A REAL SUCCESS STORY: SARAH’S BUTYRATE REVOLUTION

Meet Sarah, a 52-year-old teacher who came to our clinic with concerns about

her memory, persistent brain fog, and ongoing digestive issues. Her GI-MAP test

revealed what might be the root cause: very low levels of butyrate-producing

bacteria, alongside significant inflammation and imbalance in her gut.

We created a personalized plan focused on prebiotic-rich foods, stress

reduction techniques that fit her busy schedule, and supplements targeted to

her specific needs. After just three months, her follow-up testing showed

remarkable improvements:

Her main butyrate-producing bacteria had increased by 215%

Inflammation markers had dropped by 78%

THE DIVERSITY OF BENEFICIAL BACTERIA HAD SIGNIFICANTLY

IMPROVED

The best part? Sarah reported, “It’s like the mental clouds have lifted, and I’m

myself again. I didn’t realize how much my thinking had been affected until I

started feeling better.

“THE SCIENCE CONNECTING GUT HEALTH TO BRAIN FUNCTION IS

MOVING FORWARD RAPIDLY. HERE ARE SOME EXCITING

DEVELOPMENTS ON THE HORIZON:

Designer probiotics: Scientists are creating specialized probiotics specifically

engineered to boost butyrate production for brain health. These aren’t your

ordinary probiotics—they’re custom-designed to survive stomach acid and

thrive exactly where they need to be to produce butyrate.

Advanced testing: Beyond just identifying which bacteria are present, newer

tests will reveal what these microbes are actually doing—which compounds

they’re making or using, giving us unprecedented insight into how they affect

brain function.

Refined microbiome transplants: While fecal microbiota transplantation

(FMT) is currently only approved for C. difficile infection, research into its

potential for neurological conditions shows promising early results. Studies are

looking at whether rebuilding a healthy microbiome could help slow

progression of conditions like Parkinson’s disease.

New medications: Researchers are developing drugs that can either promote

butyrate production or enhance its beneficial effects on the body and brain.

Personalized diet plans: Moving beyond generic recommendations, scientists

are creating eating plans designed for your unique bacterial makeup,

optimizing conditions for your particular butyrate-producing species.

Vagus nerve therapies: As we better understand how the vagus nerve (the

main communication highway between gut and brain) works, technologies that

help regulate this nerve are showing promise for both digestive and brain

health.

CREATING YOUR PERSONAL BUTYRATE-BOOSTING PLAN

Understanding your unique microbiome through the GI-MAP test is a powerful

first step toward optimizing your brain health. Here’s how to put that

knowledge into action:

YOUR STEP-BY-STEP APPROACH

Working with a knowledgeable healthcare provider, you can develop a plan

that typically involves:

Assessment: Thoroughly reviewing your GI-MAP results alongside your

symptoms and health history to identify key patterns.

Targeted cleanup: Addressing any harmful bacteria or imbalances that may

be crowding out your butyrate producers.

Rebuilding phase: Systematically introducing specific foods, supplements,

and lifestyle practices designed to restore optimal butyrate levels.

Maintenance plan: Developing sustainable long-term habits that continue to

support your butyrate-producing bacteria.

Follow-up testing: Checking in periodically to track improvements and make

necessary adjustments.

COMMON ROADBLOCKS TO WATCH FOR

SEVERAL FACTORS CAN UNDERMINE EVEN YOUR BEST EFFORTS

TO BOOST BUTYRATE:

Hidden food sensitivities: Even healthy foods can trigger inflammatory

responses in some people, creating an environment that inhibits butyrate-

producing bacteria.

Environmental toxins: Exposure to pesticides, household chemicals, and

other toxins can damage beneficial microbes.

Medication effects: Beyond antibiotics, many common medications including

pain relievers, acid blockers, and cholesterol medications can adversely affect

your microbiome.

Ongoing stress: The stress response alters gut function and bacterial

composition in ways that significantly reduce butyrate production.

Limited food variety: Eating the same foods repeatedly, even healthy ones,

fails to provide the diverse fibers needed for a robust, butyrate-producing

microbiome.

SIGNS YOU’RE ON THE RIGHT TRACK

While follow-up testing provides objective data, you’ll likely notice these

improvements as butyrate levels increase:

Mental clarity: Many people report improved focus, better memory, and

sharper thinking.

Emotional balance: Less anxiety, better stress handling, and more stable

mood.

Digestive comfort: More regular bowel movements, less bloating, and

improved stool consistency.

Steady energy: More consistent energy without afternoon crashes or morning

fatigue.

Fewer inflammatory symptoms: Improvements in joint pain, skin conditions,

and other inflammatory issues.

YOUR NEXT STEPS FOR BETTER BRAIN HEALTH

The connection between your gut health and brain function represents one of

the most exciting frontiers in modern health science. By leveraging the detailed

insights provided by the GI-MAP test with zonulin and OMX stool analysis, you gain

unprecedented visibility into this critical aspect of your health.

Remember that everyone’s gut is unique—what works for someone else might

not be perfect for you. That’s why personalized testing and customized

approaches offer the best path forward.

Whether you’re currently experiencing brain fog, memory concerns, or other

cognitive issues—or you simply want to protect your brain health for the

future—paying attention to your butyrate levels could be one of the most

important health decisions you make.Ready to discover what your gut might be telling you about your

brain health?

Order your own GI-MAP test with Zonulin and OMX Stool here.

Your journey toward better brain health starts in your gut.

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