Macro partitioning
Reducing dietary carbohydrate intake to low levels (24 g/day) in obese individuals significantly decreases fecal butyrate concentrations and reduces the abundance of butyrate-producing bacteria (specifically Roseburia spp. and Eubacterium rectale).
If you follow a very low-carbohydrate diet (like Keto), you may see a significant drop in butyrate, a beneficial compound for colon health. This happens because you are feeding fewer of the bacteria that produce it. To mitigate this, consider including specific fermentable fibers or resistant starches even on a low-carb diet to support these bacteria.
Reduced Dietary Intake of Carbohydrates by Obese Subjects Results in Decreased Concentrations of Butyrate and Butyrate-Producing Bacteria in Feces
Why this rating
Randomized crossover design with obese subjects, but short duration (4 weeks per diet) and small sample size (n=19).
Source
Reduced Dietary Intake of Carbohydrates by Obese Subjects Results in Decreased Concentrations of Butyrate and Butyrate-Producing Bacteria in Feces
Sylvia H. Duncan et al. · Applied and Environmental Microbiology · 2006
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