Molecules that reduce ‘bad’ gut bacteria reverse the narrowing of arteries in an animal study

Promoting a healthy gut microbiome may be a powerful strategy for lowering cholesterol and other heart attack risk factors.

Researchers at Scripps Research developed peptides that aided the remodeling of gut bacteria to support a healthier gut microflora in mice fed a high-fat diet (1). By correcting the bacterial balance in the mice, there was a reduction in total cholesterol, a reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines, a reduction in artery thickening, and a significant improvement in fatty deposits in arteries.

This research further shows the importance of maintaining the gut’s microflora and the impact diet has beyond the waistline. In the past few decades, research has shown that gut microflora imbalances are related to overall general health, including physiological and psychological well-being.

“It was surprising to us that simply remodeling the gut microbiome can have such an extensive effect,” says study co-senior author Reza Ghadiri, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Chemistry at Scripps Research.  It is clear that simple dietary modifications can have lasting impacts on gut microflora and that an imbalanced gut is linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis, colon cancer, anxiety, depression, autism, and other chronic diseases.

Research shows that the Standard American Diet (SAD) and western diet contribute to an imbalance of gut bacteria due to a lack of prebiotic and probiotic foods with an over-reliance on simple carbohydrates and saturated fats.  The “bad” (pro-inflammatory) bacteria can thrive with the Standard American Diet. In contrast, “good” (anti-inflammatory) bacteria tend to die off when there is a lack of fiber-rich prebiotic foods.  When “good” bacteria begin to die off, there is a requirement to reintroduce the bacteria through probiotics such as fermented foods like yogurts, Keifer, kombucha, kimchi, and others or supplementation like Thorne’s FloraMend Prime Probiotic. 

The research is still young regarding gut bacteria and the body’s microflora, but one thing is clear – our diet impacts all aspects of our general health and well-being.  

1. Chen, P.B., Black, A.S., Sobel, A.L. et al. Directed remodeling of the mouse gut microbiome inhibits the development of atherosclerosis. Nat Biotechnol (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41587-020-0549-5