Cholesterol is an important substance in the body but what we must be aware of that too much of it especially the LDL cholesterol, poses a lot of threats especially heart related. Long-standing dietary and lifestyle modifications are considered as efficient means of controlling Can Probiotics Lower Cholesterol in the body, however, according to studies probiotics, the so called “good bacteria” found in food and supplements, act as an effective way to reduce cholesterol levels.
At Microbiome Plus, we are interested in looking at the role of probiotics on human health more broadly. This article will focus on the ways and means through which probiotics can be used to reduce cholesterol levels and thus reduce risks of heart diseases.
How Probiotics Work
Probiotic is the term used to indicate the living organisms mainly bacteria that promotes a healthy balance in your gut microbiome. These microorganisms act as factors that aid our digestion and immunity to diseases, and overall health. Recent studies have shown that besides aiding in digestion, the use of probiotics also affects cholesterol levels in the body by regulating the metabolism of fats and bile salts leading to cholesterol reduction in some instances.
Can Probiotics Lower Cholesterol?
Studies have demonstrated very encouraging outcomes with respect to the probiotic-induced changes in the serum cholesterol levels.
- Bile Salt Breakdown: Certain probiotic strains, particularly those in the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium families, have the ability to break down bile salts. Certain bile salts are made from cholesterol and by the breakdown of these salts, the body has to spend even more cholesterol in order to synthesize new bile salts. This possibly may work in helping to reduce total concentration of blood cholesterol.
- Cholesterol Absorption Is Reduced: Some probiotics may assist in reducing cholesterol levels by blocking the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines. This may help reduce blood levels and biosynthesis of LDL cholesterol.
- Short Chain Fatty Acids Formation: Probiotics are able to metabolize dietary fibers in the colon resulting in short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) production. SCFAs may inhibit cholesterol production from the liver, therefore aiding in cholesterol reduction.
- LDL (bad cholesterol level) Reduction: It has been clinically proven in several studies that probiotics, lactobacillus acidophilus, and Bifidobacterium longum have also slightly decreased LDL levels. Though the reduction is not to be considered dramatic, they supplement the non-pharmacological means of lowering cholesterol in patient’s management especially with better dietary habits and exercise.
What the Research Says
Newer studies are being conducted on topical probiotics and cholesterol, and there is quite definitive evidence available. It was noticed in the meta analysis based on 30 clinical trials that individuals taking probiotics on regular basis have LDL cholesterol reduction of about 5 percent to 10 on average. These findings imply that adding dietary probiotics in one’s lifestyle may assist in controlling cholesterol level but only when additional measures for a healthy heart are also applied.
Even so, there should be a caveat that not all strains of probiotics are equally effective. In case of probiotics, the cholesterol-lowering effect of these health supplements is frequently strain dependent, hence a strain selection is a must.
Conclusion
Although further studies are needed in order to clarify the connection between probiotics and cholesterol, the available data does inspire some confidence. This implies that achieving a dietary strategy supporting cardiovascular well being may be feasible through the use of foods and supplements containing probiotics. Probiotics as well as cholesterol lowering, Microbiome Plus provides various probiotic formulations that promote well-being.
Keep in mind that probiotics should never replace conventional medical care or lifestyle changes although they might assist one in complying with a heart-healthy lifestyle.
