Gut Health & Heart Health Are Closely Intertwined
Gut health and heart health are closely intertwined. Several research studies have shown that gut microbes and their components can influence the health of the cardiovascular system. In addition, scientists have discovered that the presence of specific metabolites, such as trimethylamine N-oxide, is a risk factor for atherosclerosis. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to prevent these risks.
A high-fiber diet is especially beneficial for gut microbes. One way is by consuming more plant foods and reducing the amount of animal products. To improve your intake of fiber, try adding beans to your diet. Also, replace refined grains with whole grains. Eating the peels from fruit is an excellent way to boost your fiber intake.
Another way to improve your gut is to consume more fermented foods. These foods are naturally rich in beneficial bacteria. Foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi, and yogurt have healthy microorganisms that can help balance the body’s inner ecosystem. They can also reduce inflammation and eliminate common food allergens.
Having the wrong balance of gut bacteria can lead to many problems. Among them are inflammatory responses and insulin resistance. The intestinal lining can become leaky, allowing foreign substances to enter the bloodstream. This can trigger systemic inflammation, which can cause more severe issues.
Many people don’t realize that the health of their gut can impact their cardiovascular system. For instance, a study found that patients who had intestinal permeability were at a greater risk of developing coronary artery disease. Furthermore, they had more coronary arteries than those with average intestinal permeability. However, researchers have not yet determined why this happens.
Research has revealed that gut bacteria can also influence the stiffness of arteries. If a bacterium’s outer membrane contains a toxic substance called lipopolysaccharide, it can produce a pro-inflammatory response. Moreover, an impaired lining can allow LPS to enter the bloodstream.
In addition, certain bacteria can turn dietary choline into a harmful compound called trimethylamine N-oxide. Consequently, this can increase the thickness of plaque in the arteries.
A recent Nature study compared the gut microbiota of people with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD) with healthy individuals. After reaching the stool samples of these two groups, it was found that those with ACVD had a less diverse gut microbiome than those with healthy hearts. While this is just one study, the findings may suggest that the gut-heart connection may be more complex.
More research is necessary to fully understand how the gut-heart connection impacts the heart and how to maintain it. Hopefully, more studies will be conducted to confirm these results. Until then, monitoring your gut for signs of heart trouble is essential. There are also supplements available that can help keep a healthy gut. But you should always check with a doctor before taking these medications.
Finally, several other factors can affect your heart. Those include a family history of heart disease, smoking, obesity, and lack of exercise. Other lifestyle choices, such as a poor-quality diet, can increase your risk.
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