Last verified: 17 days ago
Tributyrin
Also known as: glyceryl tributyrate, butyrate prodrug, CoreBiome, tributyrylglycerol
Evidence under review. — Not yet rated
Butyrate prodrug that survives digestion better than plain butyrate; early human research shows gut and immune potential.
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What it does
Tributyrin is a triglyceride form of butyrate — a short-chain fatty acid naturally found in butter — that acts as a more stable, better-absorbed delivery vehicle for butyrate in the body. Unlike...
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Evidence quality
Evidence base hasn't been formally rated yet. See research below.
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Clinical dose
500-600 mg three times daily (1500 mg/day) based on clinical data
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Found in
What the Science Says
Tributyrin is a triglyceride form of butyrate — a short-chain fatty acid naturally found in butter — that acts as a more stable, better-absorbed delivery vehicle for butyrate in the body. Unlike plain sodium butyrate, which is rapidly broken down in the upper gut, tributyrin resists stomach acid and is converted to butyrate by pancreatic enzymes, allowing more to reach the colon and bloodstream. Early human studies suggest it is well-tolerated and may support gut microbiome health and immune regulation, though large-scale clinical trials are still lacking.
What It Doesn't Do
Not proven to stimulate GLP-1 or gut hormone release — one clinical trial showed tributyrin had zero effect on GLP-1, GIP, or CCK. No evidence it treats cancer in humans. Not a replacement for prescribed immunosuppressants. No proven weight loss effect. Animal and fish studies don't translate directly to human benefits.
Evidence-Based Benefits
Delivers more butyrate to the colon than plain butyrate supplements by surviving stomach acid.
Moderate EvidenceEffective at: 500 mg three times daily
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Well-tolerated at doses up to 1500 mg/day in adults, with high adherence rates in a 30-day study.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: 500 mg three times daily
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Promotes regulatory T cell activity and may help modulate immune responses in preclinical models.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: No established human dose
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Absorption & Bioavailability
Moderate-to-Good — simulated digestion studies show 40–49% of tributyrin is hydrolyzed to butyrate in the small intestine, with the remainder reaching the colon intact. This is a significant pharmacokinetic advantage over sodium butyrate, which is almost entirely absorbed before reaching the colon.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Most compelling evidence comes from animal models (poultry, zebrafish, mice) — human clinical data is very limited
- The one human RCT testing tributyrin for gut hormone release found NO effect on GLP-1, GIP, or CCK
- Immunonutrition formulas containing tributyrin (alongside glutamine, arginine, omega-3s) showed no benefit over control in surgical patients — impossible to isolate tributyrin's contribution
- The Parkinson's disease study was open-label with only 14 patients and no control group — results are preliminary only
- High doses used in the cancer pharmacology study (150–200 mg/kg three times daily) required a very large number of capsules and produced no objective tumor responses
Products Containing Tributyrin
See how Tributyrin is used in these analyzed products:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Tributyrin do?
Butyrate prodrug that survives digestion better than plain butyrate; early human research shows gut and immune potential.
What is the effective dose of Tributyrin?
500-600 mg three times daily (1500 mg/day) based on clinical data
Is Tributyrin safe?
Most compelling evidence comes from animal models (poultry, zebrafish, mice) — human clinical data is very limited
What doesn't Tributyrin do?
Not proven to stimulate GLP-1 or gut hormone release — one clinical trial showed tributyrin had zero effect on GLP-1, GIP, or CCK.
Research Sources
- PubMed
- NIH DSLD
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen. Last updated: 2026-05-25