The gut microbiome produces substances that interact with our intestinal lining, immune system and potentially even the brain. One area attracting increasing scientific interest is the relationship between the microbiome and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

A new study published in Nutrients in August 2026 found that mice receiving oral sodium butyrate for six weeks had significantly lower detection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the small intestine, liver and kidneys, with a similar but less definitive trend in the lungs.

The gut-brain connection is no longer just a theory.

In a randomized, double-blind clinical trial—the highest standard of clinical research—scientists found that increasing beneficial short-chain fatty acids led to meaningful improvements in people with Parkinson's disease.