Propionate (propionic acid)
Propionate (propionic acid) is a short-chain fatty acid produced from fibre mainly by bacteria of the Bacteroidetes group as well as Akkermansia muciniphila and Veillonella. Propionate is measured in stool together with butyrate, acetate and the iso fatty acids (analysis “Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA)”).
What propionate does in the body
Propionate is carried to the liver via the portal vein and largely used there, among other things for making new glucose (gluconeogenesis). Via receptors on gut cells (FFAR2 and FFAR3) it stimulates the release of the gut hormones GLP-1 and PYY, which are involved in regulating satiety and blood sugar.
Low propionate – what does it mean?
Low levels are often found with a low-fibre diet, after antibiotics and when propionate-producing bacteria are scarce in the gut flora. They are considered together with the distribution of bacterial groups in the microbiome analysis.
High propionate – what does it mean?
Raised levels show strong bacterial fermentation, for example with a high fibre intake, with incomplete absorption of carbohydrates in the small intestine or with fast gut transit. As with all short-chain fatty acids in stool, the value reflects both production and uptake.
The interpretation is given in your report.
Also known as: propionate, propionic acid, propanoate, propionic acid, short-chain fatty acids, scfa
Contexts in which this value is measured
- Bloating
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Low-fibre diet
Analyses that include this value
There is currently no analysis in the shop for this value. A practitioner or doctor from the ORY expert network can tell you how else it can be determined.
View the expert networkReference ranges and how your personal value is to be read are set out in your findings report. You discuss the findings with a practitioner or doctor from the ORY expert network.