MedibiotiX | MedibiotiX | Cardiovascular Health

What is the microbiome?

The microbiome is a complex environment of bacteria and other microorganisms. They live in many different sites of the body, including the gut, skin, mouth, and urogenital system.

However, the gut is the primary location of the human microbiome and has a major contribution towards our health and wellness by protecting our bodies from disease-causing microorganisms, developing our immune systems, and enabling us to digest our food to produce energy.

The gut microbiome is very diverse, but not all the bacteria in the gut are beneficial for our health. "Bad" bacteria are associated with infection or illness (such as some strains of Escherichia coli [E.coli]), whilst the "good" bacteria (such as Bifidobacteria) help keep the "bad" bacteria in check.

A healthy, balanced microbiome means there are more "good" bacteria than "bad" bacteria and this balance is essential for good overall health.

What is the gut microbiome?

We know the most about the gut microbiome.

The gut microbiome has a crucial role in maintaining and promoting overall health. A healthy gut microbiome controls metabolism, protects the lining of the gut, helps maintain the immune system, and defends against diseasecausing microorganisms.

The human gut microbiome is composed of hundreds of different microorganisms. There are two main types of bacteria found in healthy guts, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. However, the microbiome’s composition can be affected by exercise, diet, or stress.

To find out more about how your microbiome works click here.

The link between the gut microbiome and cholesterol

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that is found in the thin and flexible barrier that surrounds and protects the interior of cells, the cell membrane. Our body needs cholesterol to produce hormones and some vitamins.

About 25% of cholesterol in the body is obtained from the diet (mainly from animal and dairy products) whilst the remaining 75% is made in the liver. About 39% of people globally have high cholesterol.

Increased cholesterol in the blood can lead to the formation of fatty deposits (plaque) in the blood vessels, reducing blood flow. The accumulation of plaque on the walls of blood vessels is known as atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a risk factor for having a heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases.

To move through the blood, lipids (fat) must be attached to proteins. The combination of lipids and protein is called lipoprotein. There are different types of lipoproteins with different functions:

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) – It is considered "good" cholesterol because it helps to keep the cardiovascular system healthy, by reducing the risk of having a heart attack or stroke. It transports cholesterol in the blood back to the liver, where it can be removed from the body
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) – It is considered "bad" cholesterol because it contributes to the formation of fatty plaques and atherosclerosis

The gut microbiome can alter blood lipid composition, particularly cholesterol, because of its role in producing and breaking down bile acids. Bile salts are mostly made from cholesterol, and they help to break down fats in the gut. A high-fat and sugar diet can cause a reduction in the number of bacteria that help break down cholesterol.

Symptoms that cardiovascular health may not be optimal include:

Chest pain, tightness or pressure, and shortness of breath or dizziness
Indigestion or heartburn
Sleep problems
Heart flutters
Cold sweats, vomiting, and nausea
Swelling or pain in the legs, ankles, feet, stomach, and veins of the neck
Fainting

If you have any of these symptoms, please consult a healthcare professional.

What role does the microbiome play in cardiovascular diseases?

A high-fat and sugar diet disrupts the balance between “good” and “bad” bacteria (dysbiosis), promoting inflammation. Chronic inflammation damages the lining of the gut causing it to become “leaky”, which allows “bad” bacteria to thrive in the gut and spread.

Some types of bacteria in the gut such as Bifidobacterium bifidum can use bile salts as an energy source, lowering cholesterol levels. Other types of gut bacteria release short-chain fatty acids (building blocks of fat) that are capable of decreasing plasma cholesterol. Dysbiosis reduces the number of bacteria with these protective effects and increases cholesterol in the bloodstream.

Some types of “bad” bacteria release a compound known as trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO). TMAO causes inflammation, impairs cholesterol removal, and increases immune cells’ cholesterol intake. Increased levels of cholesterol in the blood vessels can lead to the formation of fatty plaques, which can then reduce the flow of blood. This increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

A solution that meets your needs

To help balance your cholesterol levels, we have designed a solution based on up-to-date scientific knowledge to support cardiovascular health by optimizing the microbiome. It contains two strains of bacteria, Bifidobacterium lactis 420 and Bifidobacterium longum BB536, which have been carefully selected to complement each other’s beneficial effects. These strains are combined with carefully selected prebiotic supplement, and other specifically chosen ingredients, to optimize their action in the gut and support your wellbeing.

Together these strains can help to:

Create positive changes in the total cholesterol level
Help with weight maintenance and digestive health
Support a healthy balanced gut microbiome

The following ingredients have been shown to be beneficial:

Artichoke – It is a Mediterranean vegetable that reduces inflammation and increases the breakdown of cholesterol through improved liver function and optimizing the gut microbiome
Bergamot – A citrus fruit that improves liver function by increasing the breakdown of “bad” cholesterol, reducing inflammation
Choline – Increases “good” cholesterol and helps to reduce cholesterol buildup in the liver
Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) – Prebiotic supplement that promotes the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut and reduces fat accumulation
Monacolin K - Red yeast rice products that have considerable amounts of monacolin K may effectively lower blood cholesterol levels, blood glucose levels, and blood pressure
Vitamin PP (Niacin) – Increases “good” cholesterol and lowers “bad” cholesterol and may reduce liver fat
Chromium – A mineral that is needed for lowering cholesterol in the blood