Ghee

Overview

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

Recipes

no recipes found

Substances

5 substances in this food

Butyrate

Key SCFA supporting mitochondrial function, gut barrier integrity, and neuroinflammation reduction

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

Preparation Notes

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

Biological Target Matrix

Biological Target	Substance	Contribution Level	Therapeutic Areas	Mechanism of Action
Gut–Brain Axis & Enteric Nervous System (ENS)	Butyrate	Contextual / minor contributor	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD, Postnatal Depression (PND / PPD) — Evidence Base	Byproduct of fibre fermentation; supports intestinal barrier integrity; regulates immune responses; promotes synthesis of key neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin
Gut–Brain Axis & Enteric Nervous System (ENS)	Vitamin D	Contextual / minor contributor	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD, Postnatal Depression (PND / PPD) — Evidence Base	Supports gut barrier integrity; nutrient deficiencies including vitamin D disrupt tight junctions, increasing permeability
Inflammation & Oxidative Stress	Butyrate	Contextual / minor contributor	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD, Postnatal Depression (PND / PPD) — Evidence Base, Alzheimer's Disease, Bipolar Disorder	Has anti-inflammatory effects, potentially reducing neuroinflammation; deficiencies linked to many neurological disorders including ADHD
Metabolic & Neuroendocrine Stress (HPA Axis & ANS)	Vitamin D	Contextual / minor contributor	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD, Postnatal Depression (PND / PPD) — Evidence Base	Modulates immune responses to reduce inflammation in the brain; supports stress response through neurotrophic and immune effects
Mitochondrial Function & Bioenergetics	Butyrate	Contextual / minor contributor	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD, Postnatal Depression (PND / PPD) — Evidence Base, Alzheimer's Disease, Bipolar Disorder	Supports mitochondrial function, enhancing brain energy metabolism; aids in reducing cholesterol and neuroinflammation

References

• Ghee: Butyrate, vitamins A/D/E/K2, heat-stable, low in lactose/casein - High-heat cooking, Ayurvedic dishes
• Replacing industrial seed oils with more stable options like olive oil, ghee, or avocado oil