Your Gut Microbiome May Influence Your Heart Health (and Everything Else) – Here’s How to Take Care of It
Contributed by Ryan Peterson.
If you’re anything like most people, you’ve likely got a lot of respect for the health of your heart. And rightly so. When your heart is functioning optimally, everything in your life is simply better. Your mood will be better, you will be better able to perform strenuous physical activity, without as much stress, you’ll be healthier across the board, and – perhaps most importantly – you can expect to live significantly longer.
When people think about guarding their cardiovascular health, they generally think about things like eating wholegrain cereal, and getting plenty of time in on the treadmill or exercise bike.
All of these things are great, but have you ever stopped to consider how your gut microbiome may influence your heart health – and for that matter, every other facet of your health, in general?
For a long time, gut health was considered to be something that only really had implications for your physical comfort. Things like irritable bowel disorder were obviously noted to be unpleasant, but not much was understood beyond that.
Recent findings, however, – as detailed in Tim Spector’s book “The Diet Myth” have blown the lid off previous assumptions, and have driven home just how important gut health is, and why a trip to a GI doctor might be a great idea.
So, here are some tips for taking care of your gut microbiome.
Continue readingDo Probiotics Lower Blood Pressure?
Probiotics have been linked to health benefits, such as improved digestion, reduced depression, a stronger immune system, and prevention of urinary tract infections. Researchers are now exploring a possible connection between probiotics and blood pressure.
What are probiotics?
Probiotics are live bacteria and microorganisms that promote proper bodily function, especially within the digestive tract.
The body is full of “good” and “bad” bacteria. Probiotics are often referred to as “good”.
Probiotics are naturally found in the intestines to assist with food digestion, elimination of disease-causing microorganisms, and vitamin production.
Probiotics to lower blood pressure
How the body maintains a stable blood pressure is complex with numerous biological pathways. One pathway involves angiotensin converting enzymes (ACE) responsible for vasoconstriction of blood vessels. ACE inhibitors are blood pressure medications that inhibit the function of ACE. Probiotics have been shown to have similar ACE-inhibitory activity via the production of antihypertensive peptides. (FYI – Peptides are a combination of amino acids. Amino acids are the build blocks for protein.)
Researchers reviewed human studies on the effect of probiotics on blood pressure. Evaluation of nine trials found probiotic consumption to lower systolic blood pressure by 3.56 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by 2.39 mm Hg.
Greater blood pressure reduction was seen when multiple versus single species probiotics were consumed and if baseline blood pressure was above 130/85 mm Hg versus less than 130/85 mm Hg. Greater reduction was also seen in individuals who consumed the probiotic for a duration greater than 8 weeks.
This research analysis suggests probiotic consumption may modestly improve blood pressure levels.
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Can Probiotics Lower Cholesterol Levels?
Understanding gut bacteria and how they impact metabolism, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity may provide new treatment options.
Trillions of bacteria and other microbes live within our gut. This microbiome is necessary to neutralize by-products of digestion, decrease toxins and carcinogens, and inhibit the growth of unhealthy bacteria and yeast. The microbiome also aids in the absorption of nutrients, supports the digestive process, and produces vitamins B and K.
Research published in the journal Circulation Research found the microbiome may also play a role in body mass index (BMI) and blood lipid levels (i.e. HDL and triglycerides).
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3 Tips to Naturally Lower Stress to Reduce Heart Disease Risk
Stress is part of life. There’s no way you can avoid stress entirely. However, if you constantly live with high stress levels it can lead to physical problems. These physical problems may include high blood pressure, angina (i.e. chest pains), arrhythmia (i.e. irregular heart rate) and heart disease.
How Does Stress Increase Heart Disease Risk?
Stress can increase heart disease risk in different ways. First, stress affects you emotionally. This could lead you to make unhealthy food and lifestyle choices, such as overeating, not exercising, and smoking. Stress also causes elevated levels of the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol, which may have a negative impact long term. Research is also finding that stress impacts the way blood clots.
What Can You Do to Reduce Stress?
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