N-Butyric Acid, a by-product of a healthy gut flora, helps differentiate pancreatic Alpha-islet cells from Beta-islet cells. Progenitor islet cells are generated at the gut wall lining, and migrate through the bloodstream to the site of the isles of Lagerhans.

In its buffered form, it's known as Butyrate. Butyrate is a strong element in ghee (clarified butter oil) and is a short chain fatty acid, slightly similar to ALA. It has anti-inflammatory effects upon epithelial cells throughout the body, and is known to improve insulin sensitivity and speed up mitochondrial activity in cells across the board.

It also has anti-Candida properties, as it disrupts activity at the yeast's cell walls, and at that level acts like a growth inhibitor. Beneficial gut bacteria such as bifidophilis strains generate it.

The tighteness of the gut membrane is a huge concern in type 1 diabetes, (leaky gut) since it contributes to autoimmune issues. Butyrate tightens up the gut lining and encourages peristalsis, lending itself further to good digestion. It is also converted to gamma amino Butyric acid (GABA) at the pancreas and blood-brain barrier, and from there contributes to healthy neurological function.

The home schooling doctor blog has a great series on Butyrate. :) (le google it!)


ALA and vitamins C and E work complimentary on either, making each nutrient just a bit more powerful and one recycling the other. It's great to hear you've had benefits on ALA! What doses are you using, at what times in relation to your meals, and what are the specific benefits you've felt?
Also, have you had any silver (amalgam) filings ever installed in your teeth, and if so, how many? ALA displaces the lipophilic metals that Amalgam let off in nano-particulate, and may be contributing to your health also in that respect.
I'm also type 1D. :)