Propionic acid - short-chain fatty acid with an impressive effect!

Short-chain fatty acids are primarily used by the human organism as a preferred food source for valuable bacteria in the intestine and rectum. Bacterial cultures in particular, which are responsible for various protective functions of our body, feed on them. At the same time, the receptors of the epithelial cells in the gut also bind to the fatty acids.

The diversity of gut bacteria has a direct influence on our susceptibility to infections on the one hand, but also on our tendency to inflammatory processes on the other.

In this article, we report on the exciting propionate, its various forms and all but minor areas of application that have been the subject of various research studies!

What is propionic acid and what is propionate?

Lest we delve too deeply into the world of chemistry, propionic acid is the common name (colloquially) for propanoic acid. These are short-chain fatty acids (SCFA).

Short-chain fatty acids are metabolic products that are produced by bacteria in our digestive system during the digestion of dietary fibre, e.g. by clostridia. Propionic acid is also important in the ripening of certain types of cheese, such as Emmental and other hard cheeses, as it creates the characteristic holes and flavour [1].

Concentrated propionic acid has an extremely unpleasant odour. Even if it were harmless to humans as a diluted solution, we would not be able to ingest it due to the unpleasant odour. However, when combined with substances such as sodium, potassium or calcium, propionic acid forms salts - propionates. In contrast to liquid, volatile propionic acid, its salts are white, crystalline and odourless substances. These propionates are useful for preserving food and are therefore widely used. For this purpose, manufacturers usually use propanoic acid with sodium, which in chemistry results in sodium propionate.

How is propionic acid formed?

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) are formed in the intestine, more precisely by the clostridia in the large intestine, during the fermentation of non-digestible carbohydrates from a high-fibre diet. They are one of the most important sources of energy for the superficial intestinal cells (intestinal epithelia). A high-fibre diet increases the diversity of good bacteria in the intestine, which then ferment carbohydrates into short-chain fatty acids, which in turn are of fundamental importance for our intestinal health. Fermented foods can promote this process.

What is propionic acid good for?

Propionates have a major effect on the internal balance of our state of health. Our intestinal flora forms numerous metabolic products with its intestinal microbiome, especially short-chain fatty acids. They are produced in the intestine primarily through the bacterial breakdown of plant fibre (prebiotics). A large proportion of the energy required there is obtained from these SCFA. These short chain fatty acids are also responsible for the increased production of regulatory cells of the immune system - the T-cells. These cells reduce inflammatory reactions and support the body against autoimmune reactions [2] [3].

A deficiency of short-chain fatty acids is unfortunately not uncommon nowadays due to the widespread low-fibre diet caused by ready meals, junk food and disregard for a balanced diet with fresh foods. The long-chain fatty acids they contain tend to have a pro-inflammatory effect [3].

How does propionic acid help with multiple sclerosis and high LDL cholesterol?

Medicine has gained very interesting insights into this area in various scientific studies, such as the research into multiple sclerosis at the Ruhr University Bochum under the direction of Prof Dr Aiden Haghikia. He was able to demonstrate the positive effect in MS patients that the short-chain fatty acid leads to a lower relapse rate in people with the disease and reduces the risk of an increase in disability. In addition, magnetic resonance imaging studies indicated that propionic acid can slow down brain atrophy by remyelinating the central nervous system [4].

During these studies, the effect of short-chain fatty acids on bad LDL cholesterol was also discovered almost by chance. The Ikaneum in Hamburg shows that the so-called Mediterranean diet with lots of fresh vegetables has the effect of promoting the body's own production of propionic acid and thus lowering the bad LDL blood lipids by intercepting the bad fats through the acid in the blood [5] [6].

Which foods contain propionic acid?

Propionic acid and its salts sodium propionate, calcium propionate and potassium propionate are used as preservatives in the food industry. As the acid itself has a rather pungent odour and unpleasant taste for humans, propionates (salts) are used to preserve sliced bread and baked goods in particular. They have a fungicidal effect and thus prevent the formation of mould.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) classifies the use of propanoic acid (E-280) and its propionates (E-281 to 283) as safe [7].

Natural occurrences of this acid can be found in fermented foods such as vinegar, sourdough, butter, cheese, crème fraîche, sauerkraut, kimchi, natto and kombucha, but also in coffee and seafood.

Why should you take propionic acid?

In principle, you could cover your propionic acid requirements through your diet. However, if you find it difficult to consume fibre or simply cannot manage a balanced diet with fresh foods in your stressful everyday life, you can also use capsules from the food supplement range.

Sodium propionate is offered as a capsule for easy application and can therefore be dosed precisely. The capsule form is also very practical for daily intake when you are travelling a lot. Most suppliers offer capsules containing 500 mg of sodium propionate each.

How much propionic acid per day?

If you want to cover your short-chain fatty acid requirements with propionic acid capsules, Prof. Dr A. Haghikia recommends taking 500 mg twice a day to achieve the desired effect [8].

The capsules should always be taken with sufficient water.

Vita World offers you propionic acid 500 mg as a dietary supplement in the form of capsules with high-purity sodium propionate. By taking 2 capsules daily, you can achieve the effect shown in the studies by treating humans with 1,000 mg per day [8].