Having a healthy gut may be key in keeping a healthy heart and avoiding the development of cardiovascular diseases.
Research shows that an individual’s gut bacteria could account for 4 percent of the differences in the amount of "good" HDL cholesterol levels,
LiveScience reported. Additionally, it may affect 5 percent of variation in body weight and at the most, 6 percent of the difference in blood fat levels.
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People with more diversity of gut bacteria had healthier measurements of fat in the bloodstream, according to LiveScience. Scientists identified 34 microorganisms that could affect the indicators for cardiovascular illnesses.
To understand the extent at which the bacteria in the gut affect lipid levels in the blood would help with knowing how to prevent cardiovascular diseases, LiveScience noted.
No connection was found between gut microbes and “bad” LDL cholesterol, LiveScience reported.
Other research found specific bacteria that was more or less present in the guts of healthy individuals and atherosclerosis patients,
The Tech Museum of Innovation reported. Patients with hardened arteries had more Collinsella bacteria that caused inflammation, while healthy people had microbes that prevented inflammation by taking in toxins and chemicals in the body. After long exposures, inflammation can lead to the development of atherosclerosis.
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Collinsella produces peptidoglycan, which turns on the immune system and causes inflammation to occur throughout the body, the museum said. The healthy participants’ bacteria contained antioxidants that fight free radicals, which can cause cardiovascular disease.
Mercola.com also states that some gut bacteria can transform a compound in proteins called choline into a compound that decreases the speed at which the body breaks down cholesterol. In doing so, more fatty plaques build up in the arteries. This can lead to atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular problems.
A chemical, however, that stops the transformation of choline into the compound could prevent the issue, Mercola.com adds. Mice’s gut microbes that were treated with the chemical and bred to be susceptible to atherosclerosis showed fewer symptoms of the disease.
This chemical can be found in the oils of some olives and grapeseed. This same process may help with those who have diabetes and chronic kidney disease, as well,
according to the Cleveland Clinic.
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