We often hear that fat is unhealthy, but that is not true for all types of fat.
New research presented at the International Association of Parkinsonism and Related Disorders World Congress suggests that a specific fat could drastically improve motor symptoms and inflammatory markers in Parkinson’s disease.
What’s more, this is a common fat found in various types of food you’re already consuming. Unfortunately, you may be trying to avoid this fat due to misinformation.
Tributyrin is a naturally occurring fat, a type of triglyceride, as scientists call it. It is a short-chain fatty acid found in various foods, including butter, milk, and some plant oils. In your intestines, it is produced by bacteria that ferment fiber and other food substances as they pass through.
Interestingly, it is also often used as a food additive because it improves the stability, texture, and flavor of food products.
Because many previous studies found that tributyrin had anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties, the authors of this study decided to explore the potential benefits of taking a tributyrin supplement in individuals with Parkinson’s disease.
The pilot study involved seven adults diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, with an average age of 65.6 years. A pilot study is a small-scale preliminary investigation conducted before the main or larger study.
Participants initially underwent motor and cognitive assessments, sleep tracking, and fasting blood tests. They were then administered 500 mg of tributyrin three times per day for 30 days.
At the end of the trial, they all returned for clinical evaluations and laboratory testing.
The severity of their motor symptoms was evaluated using the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale-III. Systemic inflammation was measured through high-sensitivity c-reactive protein levels, while nocturnal heart rate variability was monitored using a wearable smart ring designed to track and provide insights about their sleep patterns.
These were the results.
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1. Tributyrin supplementation led to an average reduction of 3.93 points in their Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale score compared to their original average score of 44.71.
2. Approximately 50% of participants demonstrated improved scores after 30 days.
3. Their c-reactive protein levels decreased by an average of 0.28 mg/dL from their original average of 1.12 mg/dL.
4. Their nocturnal heart rate variability improved, indicating that their hearts adapted better to stressors.
These findings suggest that tributyrin can be used as a supplement for people with Parkinson’s disease to reduce their motor symptoms, improve inflammatory blood markers, and enhance nocturnal heart rate variability.