Why bowel bacteria might be key to lower cholesterol

Many people use probiotics in order to help their bowels work better. However, we are discovering that the beneficial bacteria in our bowels may play important roles in other aspects of our health including lowering cholesterol. A recent medical study indicated that in people with mild elevations of bad cholesterol and triglycerides, the consumption of specific strains of bacteria can lower their overall cholesterol levels.

Reducing high cholesterol has been a primary focus of the American health care system for decades. Elevated levels of bad cholesterol (low density lipoprotein or LDL) as well as elevated levels of triglycerides are associated with an increased risk of heart disease, heart attack, stroke and death. Robust medical research has repeatedly demonstrated that lower cholesterol levels reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Robust medical research has repeatedly demonstrated that lower cholesterol levels reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Medications that lower cholesterol, such as statin drugs, are one of the most prescribed groups of medications in the US. In 2014, statin medications were prescribed over 23 million times. More recent data for 2015 are not available but I would assume that number has only increased. Poor lifestyle is the reason that most people have high cholesterol. It is well known that lifestyle changes such as diet, fiber, exercise, proper sleep and stress reduction can also lower cholesterol levels.

When I was a medical student, the role of the bacteria in our bowels was not really appreciated. Over the past decade, increasing research is demonstrated that the type of bacteria we have in our bowels can have a significant impact on our overall health and possibly longevity. One recent study published in the medical journal PLOS One examined the results from 11 different medical studies regarding bowel bacteria and cholesterol. What they found is that certain bacteria such as Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and others reduced cholesterol in individuals who had mildly elevated cholesterol levels. It is believed that this occurs by multiple mechanisms of action. One of the ways that these bacteria reduce cholesterol is that they actually eat the cholesterol in our food. A second mechanism of action is that they encourage the cells in the bowel not to absorb cholesterol. The overall effect is a reduction in total cholesterol levels.

The data from this study did suggest any benefit in people who have normal cholesterol levels and those with very high cholesterol levels are usually on some form of medication. It is those with mildly elevated cholesterol levels that the greatest impact was seen. It was suggested that, in this specific subgroup, taking a good probiotic on a daily basis, would reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke by five - eight percent. Although this might not seem like a lot, the savings in direct medical costs would be millions per year.

Although there are no studies definitively proving that specific bacteria in the bowel will consistently reduced cholesterol levels, the research is tantalizing, the cost minimal and the potential for side effects is almost zero. It is worth a try.