Research titled “Butyrate, a metabolite of intestinal bacteria, enhances sleep” discusses the influence the gut microbiota has in signaling sleep.
Depletion of intestinal microbiota induces significant reduction in sleep suggesting that the gut flora is a source of sleep-inducing signals11,12, while circadian disruption and chronic sleep fragmentation promote intestinal dysbiosis1
Butyrate is one of the short chain fatty acids your intestinal microbiota synthesizes when they break down undigested carbohydrates, such as dietary fiber and resistant starches. The main three SCFAs metabolized by the microbiome are acetate, propionate, and butyrate (at 60%, 25%, and 15% respectively). Although it may be the third most prolific SCFA in the intestines, it is one of the most important. It is the major energy source in the colon and also serves to maintain the health of the colon.
Butyrate, was administered to mice, in three varying ways: as an oral suspension, intraportal and systemically. The researchers found that the oral suspension and the intraportal injection of butyrate induced a 50% increase in non-rapid-eye-movement (NREM), also referred to as “deep sleep” for four hours. The systemic butyrate did not impact sleep.
Butyrate is naturally occurring in the gut microbiota and in dairy products. Many children and adults experiencing seizures may find that dairy is inflammatory. However, grass-fed and or organic butter/ghee is often tolerated and offers more nutritional benefits than non-organic dairy products.
Additionally, you can stimulate your own butyrate production by consuming the right prebiotics to fuel the commensal bacteria that produce butyrate. A few prebiotic sources include:
- Inulin (chicory root, dandelion greens, garlic, onion, leeks, and asparagus)
- Whole grain cereals (if you can tolerate)
- Legumes
- Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) (if you can tolerate: garlic, onions, and bananas)
- Nuts, especially almonds and pistachios
Sleep, digestion and detoxification when improved are the three main areas I work with clients. These areas of improvement can have a profound effect on improving symptoms.
Bringing much light,
Lynn
