Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of preventing or treating a gastrointestinal condition in a subject, that includes administering one or more branched chain fatty acid to the subject under conditions effective to prevent 5 or treat the gastrointestinal condition in the subject. The present invention is also directed to methods of promoting gastrointestinal health in a subject and propagation of probiotic organisms. Also disclosed is a formulation which includes one or more branched chain fatty acid and an aqueous phase emulsified with the one or more branched chain fatty acids, where the formulation includes 10 over 25 wt % of the one or more branched chain fatty acid.