Energy Source & Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs)

Producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) through the fermentation of polysaccharides supports the energy needs of endothelial cells
Koh et al. 2016 Cell 165: 1332

Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs), esp. butyrate, serve as the primary Energy source for colonocytes
Guilloteau et al. 2010 Nutr. Res. Rev. 23: 366-384
Flint et al. 2012 Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 9: 577-589
Bultman 2016 Semin Oncol 43: 97-106
Thaiss et al. 2016 Nature 535: 65-74

Gut microbiota enhances different aspects of energy metabolism, such as insulin sensitivity , through mechanisms that rely on SCFAs-induced intestinal gluconeogenesis in the intestine. Specifically, research has shown that propionate interacts with GPR43 in the periportal afferent neural system to trigger intestinal gluconeogenesis via a gut-brain neural circuit, ultimately leading to beneficial effects on host physiology.
De Vadder et al. 2014 Cell 156: 84e96

Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs) have been shown to exert multiple beneficial effects on mammalian energy metabolism
den Besten et al. 2013

Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs) control host energy production and storage
Nicholson et al. 2012 Science 336: 1262–1267

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) can account for as much as 10% of the daily energy intake
Sartor 2008 Gastroenterology 134: 577–594

The percentage of dietary calories that come from bacterial short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) can vary among different animals. However, it is estimated that these SCFAs increase the energy extracted from the diet by approximately 5% to 10% in humans
Royall et al. 1990 Am J Gastroenterol 85(10): 1307-1312

SCFAs can be used for de novo Lipid Synthesis and glucose, which are the main energy sources for the host
Wolever et al. 1989 Am. J. Gastroenterol. 84: 1027-1033

see also:
Biological effects / Functions & Butyrate / Butyric acid
Dietary fibers (DF) & Fermenting / Fermentation