Cholesterol-Consuming Gut Microbes Lower Heart Disease Risk

Variations in the relative proportions of microbial species making up the gut microbiome apparently contribute to variations in LDL-cholesterol in the bloodstream. Lower LDL-cholesterol sustained over a lifetime produces a slower development of atherosclerotic plaque, and lower risk of consequent cardiovascular disease. While it seems likely there is no one optimal gut microbiome, there are certainly specific improvements that can be achieved for most older individuals. Fortunately, producing lasting changes in the balance of microbial populations making up the gut microbiome is an achievable goal. Fecal microbiota transplantation works well, for example. This is a little explored but potentially quite useful area of medical development. Researchers analyzed metabolites and microbial genomes from more than 1,400 participants in the Framingham Heart Study, a decades-long project focused on risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The team discovered that bacteria called Oscillibacter take up and metabolize cholesterol from their surroundings, and that people carrying higher levels of the microbe in their gut had lower levels of cholesterol. The results suggest that interventions that manipulate the microbiome in specific ways could one day help decrease cholesterol in people. The researchers found that species in the Oscillibacter genus were surprisingly abundant in the gut, representing on average 1 in every 100 bacteria. The researchers then wanted to figure ...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs