Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Short-chain fatty acids
Introduction
Short chain fatty acids are a sub-group of fatty acids with aliphatic tails of less than eight[1] carbons. They include:
- Acetic acid
- Propionic acid
- Isobutyric acid
- Butyric acid
- Isovaleric acid
- Valeric acid
- Caproic acid
- Lactic acid
- Succinic acid
Short chain fatty acids, just as medium chain fatty acids, are taken up directly to the portal vein during lipid digestion, in contrast to long chain fatty acids, which are packed into chylomicrons and enter lymphatic capillaries and enter the blood first at the subclavian vein.
Short chain fatty acids are produced when dietary fiber is fermented in the colon.
References
References
- ↑ Short term effects of dietary medium-chain fatty acids and n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids on the fat metabolism of healthy volunteers Christopher Beermann1 , J Jelinek1 , T Reinecker2 , A Hauenschild2 , G Boehm1 and H-U Klör2 (stating that medium long are 8-14 carbons long)