Ghee

Overview

Ghee is clarified butter providing butyrate, vitamins A/D/E/K2, and heat stability, making it suitable for high-heat cooking.

Within the BRAIN Diet framework, ghee provides butyrate, vitamins A/D/E/K2, is heat-stable, and low in lactose/casein, making it suitable for high-heat cooking and Ayurvedic dishes [1][2].

Key Nutritional Highlights

• Grass-fed dairy fats differ in fatty-acid profile from conventional dairy, including CLA content [1]
• Short-chain fatty acids from saturated fats and fermentation support colonic and metabolic health context [2]
• Ghee is clarified butter providing butyrate, vitamins A/D/E/K2, and heat stability, making it suitable for high-heat cooking. [1]
• Ghee provides butyrate, vitamins A/D/E/K2, is heat-stable, and low in lactose/casein, making it suitable for high-heat cooking and Ayurvedic dishes. [2]
• Ghee is clarified butter providing butyrate, vitamins A/D/E/K2, and heat stability, making it suitable for high-heat cooking.

Food Context

Synergies

• Part of stable cooking fat strategy

Preparation

• Heat-stable for high-heat cooking
• Low in lactose/casein (suitable for some sensitivities)
• Supports butyrate intake

Recipes

no recipes found

Nutrient Tables (per 100 g)

Core nutrients

Nutrient	Amount per 100 g	% RDA per 100 g
Energy	900 kcal	—
Protein	0 g	—
Total fat	100 g	—
Saturated fat	60 g	—
Carbohydrates	0 g	—
Fibre	0 g	—

Key micronutrients

Nutrient	Amount per 100 g	% RDA per 100 g
Iron	0 mg	0%
Calcium	0 mg	0%

Reference intakes: US Dietary Reference Intakes for adults (19–50 years; using the higher of male/female values where they differ).

Data provenance (core / micronutrient panel): USDA FoodData Central, Butter, Clarified butter (ghee), FDC ID 171314, API, per 100 g edible portion, last checked 2026-03-14

Substances

Substances in this food: editorial (Overview / literature) plus analytical (nutrition table).

4 substances in this food

Vitamin A (Retinoids; β-Carotene precursor)

Neurodevelopment; immune regulation; antioxidant via carotenoids

Vitamin D

Neurotrophic and immune modulation; calcium homeostasis

Vitamin E (Tocopherols/Tocotrienols)

Lipid-phase antioxidant; protects PUFA (DHA) in membranes

Vitamin K2 (MK forms)

Calcium handling; potential roles in brain health; often co-occurs with fat-soluble vitamins

References

[1] Grass-fed dairy fats differ in fatty-acid profile from conventional dairy, including CLA content. Daley et al. 2010. A review of nutritional differences between grass-fed and grain-fed beef

[2] Short-chain fatty acids from saturated fats and fermentation support colonic and metabolic health context. Rose et al. 2018. Butyrate enhances mitochondrial function during oxidative stress in cell lines from boys with autism