Tackling Gut Health with Sources of Butyrate: The Why, What and How
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Tackling Gut Health with Sources of Butyrate: The Why, What and How

Tackling Gut Health with Sources of Butyrate: The Why, What and How
Tackling Gut Health with Sources of Butyrate: The Why, What and How

If you often experience gut-related symptoms such as bloating, gas, pain, diarrhea, and constipation, you’re not alone – many people suffer from a poor gut health and are unaware of not only its root causes but also how they can improve it by making simple adjustments to their daily food intake.

Beyond embarrassing and uncomfortable physical symptoms, our gut is also our “second brain”- our enteric nervous system that is made up of millions of nerve cells that line our GI tract. Besides helping with digestion and the absorption of food and nutrients, these cells are also directly connected to our brain. Therefore, an unhealthy gut can directly affect our brain’s health, moods, and ability to handle stress and our immune system in general.

What Are Some of the Root Causes of an Unhealthy Gut?

The gut-related symptoms that we experience are commonly caused by the lack of healthy microflora (also known as gut bacteria) within the gut. These good bacteria flourish when we feed them their “food” – that is, prebiotics. This is where butyrate steps in – it is a byproduct of your gut microflora breaking down prebiotic fibers. When we consume prebiotic foods, our gut bacteria ingest these foods and produce short chain fatty acids – which have been linked to benefits such as reduced cancer risk, weight loss, reduction in hypercholesterolemia, improved electrolyte/mineral absorption and a healthier immune system.

Integrate More Sources of Butyrate into Your Diet

Many of us do not include sufficient butyrate sources in our diet, which lacks fiber – specifically, prebiotic fiber. Some good butyrate sources to include in your diet would be beans, muesli, cooked plantains, unripe bananas, cooked potatoes and cooked rice, as they upregulate the production of butyrate in your body. On the other hand, butter and ghee are directly ingested sources of butyrate and thus highly recommended for use in cooking!

Balance Your Gut Health with the Right Supplements

Everyone’s gut microflora and hence its ability to breakdown and metabolize foods are different; thus, in addition to eating foods that are rich in butyrate, it is a good idea to consume butyrate supplements. The increasing research being conducted on the benefits of butyrate has encouraged the medical world to take a closer look at the gut microbiome. Findings have successfully linked butyrate to the prevention of/improvement in gut-related diseases such as autoimmune diseases, obesity, and colon cancer.

So what are you waiting for – add more butyrate to your diet now! At Five Journeys, we are committed to your health and stock the butyrate supplement – contact us to purchase the supplement; for more details on the benefits of butyrate and how to increase its intake through your diet; or generally for health tips, recipes and more!

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Tackling Gut Health with Sources of Butyrate: The Why, What and How
Tackling Gut Health with Sources of Butyrate: The Why, What and How

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test looks for the inappropriate presence of bacteria in the small intestine known as Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth or “SIBO”.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

SPECIMEN TYPE

Breath

COLLECTION INSTRUCTIONS

COST

$85-$225 depending on insurance coverage. 

Tackling Gut Health with Sources of Butyrate: The Why, What and How
Tackling Gut Health with Sources of Butyrate: The Why, What and How

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates the presence of harmful mycotoxins (toxins produced by molds).

LOCATION PERFORMED

At Home

SPECIMEN TYPE

Urine

COLLECTION INSTRUCTIONS

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

Glutathione for 1 week, then bath or sauna.

COST

$699

INSURANCE

Fully covered by Medicare. Repeat test prices $249

Tackling Gut Health with Sources of Butyrate: The Why, What and How
Tackling Gut Health with Sources of Butyrate: The Why, What and How

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates the genetic profile for multiple health indicators. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

SPECIMEN TYPE

Blood Spot

COST

$319

INSURANCE

No insurance accepted

COLLECTION INSTRUCTIONS

Tackling Gut Health with Sources of Butyrate: The Why, What and How
Tackling Gut Health with Sources of Butyrate: The Why, What and How

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This company can test for lyme, babesia, bartonella and additional tick-borne illnesses. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

In office

SPECIMEN TYPE

Blood

COST

around $1600 (depends on panel selected)

INSURANCE

Fully covered by Medicare. May be reimbursed with PPO plans.
Tackling Gut Health with Sources of Butyrate: The Why, What and How
Tackling Gut Health with Sources of Butyrate: The Why, What and How

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates the presence of harmful mycotoxins (toxins produced by molds).

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

BLOOD FLUID

Urine

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

Glutathione for 1 week, then bath or sauna.

COST

$299

INSURANCE

No insurance accepted
Tackling Gut Health with Sources of Butyrate: The Why, What and How
Tackling Gut Health with Sources of Butyrate: The Why, What and How

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates a wide range of environmental toxins that may be leading to harmful health effects.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

BLOOD FLUID

Urine

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

Glutathione for 1 week, then bath or sauna.

COST

$199

INSURANCE

No insurance accepted $30 discount given if done with mycotoxins.
Tackling Gut Health with Sources of Butyrate: The Why, What and How
Tackling Gut Health with Sources of Butyrate: The Why, What and How

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

Blood work for blood count, urinalysis and vitamin levels.

LOCATION PERFORMED

BLOOD FLUID

Blood

NOTES

You often have to fast for these tests-please check your providers notes.

COST

Depending on the test, deductible or copay may apply.

INSURANCE

Depends on insurance coverage, deductible or copay may apply.
Tackling Gut Health with Sources of Butyrate: The Why, What and How
Tackling Gut Health with Sources of Butyrate: The Why, What and How

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

Glyphosate (“Round Up”) is a pesticide that is widely used and this test indicates the body’s levels.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

BLOOD FLUID

Urine

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

Glutathione for 1 week, then bath or sauna.

COST

$99 ($69 if performed with mycotoxins or environmental toxins).

INSURANCE

No insurance accepted $30 discount given if done with mycotoxins or GPL Tox.
Tackling Gut Health with Sources of Butyrate: The Why, What and How
Tackling Gut Health with Sources of Butyrate: The Why, What and How

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates many measures including micronutrients, antioxidants, minerals, detox, overview of gut function, omegas and toxic exposure. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home.

SPECIMEN TYPE

Urine

COST

$179 – $400

INSURANCE

Depending on insurance coverage. Fully covered by Medicare.

INSTRUCTIONS

Tackling Gut Health with Sources of Butyrate: The Why, What and How
Tackling Gut Health with Sources of Butyrate: The Why, What and How

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates the gut function and indicates microbiome balance, overgrowth, infection, inflammation, parasites and digestive efficacy. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

SPECIMEN TYPE

Stool

COST

$179-$425 depending on insurance coverage.

INSURANCE

Depending on insurance coverage. Fully covered by Medicare.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

No probiotics for one week.

VIDEO INSTRUCTIONS

Tackling Gut Health with Sources of Butyrate: The Why, What and How
Tackling Gut Health with Sources of Butyrate: The Why, What and How

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates the full menstrual cycle, female hormones, and adrenal profile.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

BLOOD FLUID

Urine

COST

$160-$329

INSURANCE

Depending on insurance coverage. Fully covered by Medicare.

NOTES

Must be off hormones in order to do the testing.
Tackling Gut Health with Sources of Butyrate: The Why, What and How
Tackling Gut Health with Sources of Butyrate: The Why, What and How

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test is specifically for a tick-borne illness called “Bartonella”.

LOCATION PERFORMED

In office

BLOOD FLUID

Blood

COST

$260

INSURANCE

No insurance accepted
Tackling Gut Health with Sources of Butyrate: The Why, What and How
Tackling Gut Health with Sources of Butyrate: The Why, What and How

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates the presence of potentially harmful heavy metals stored in the body.  Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

SPECIMEN TYPE

Urine

COST

Testing: $79 x2 paid to Doctor’s Data
DMSA: $38 paid to Johnson’s Compounding Pharmacy

INSURANCE

Not covered by Insurance
Tackling Gut Health with Sources of Butyrate: The Why, What and How
Tackling Gut Health with Sources of Butyrate: The Why, What and How

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test measures saliva cortisol testing throughout the course of one day and informs us where there might be an adrenal imbalance.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

BLOOD FLUID

Saliva

COST

$80

INSURANCE

No insurance coverage

Tackling Gut Health with Sources of Butyrate: The Why, What and How
Tackling Gut Health with Sources of Butyrate: The Why, What and How

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test is designed to look at food sensitivities (IgG immune responses). It is available in both a 99 or 184 panel. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

In office

SPECIMEN TYPE

Blood

COST

$129-238

INSURANCE

No insurance accepted