Probiotics, Cholesterol and Heart Health

Posted by Dr. Mark Lange

The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that, by 2030, cardiovascular diseases will affect approximately 23.6 million people around the world.  High blood cholesterol is a factor in 45 percent of heart attacks in Western Europe and 35 percent of heart attacks in Central and Eastern Europe.  Heart attack risk is three times higher in those with hypercholesterolemia, compared to those who have normal blood lipid profiles.

The Pros of Probiotics Infographic

Keeping blood cholesterol levels within normal ranges typically includes exercise, monitoring dietary intake and drug therapy.  However, pharmaceutical agents to control cholesterol are expensive, often suboptimal and have negative side effects.

Cholesterol is made in the liver from bile, stored in the gallbladder, and released into the upper portion of the small intestine after food intake.  Bile acts as a biological detergent, used to emulsify and solubilize dietary lipids.  Bile is made from cholesterol, and any in fact, about half of the bodys cholesterol is used to make bile.  Under normal conditions, bile is reabsorbed into the bloodstream from the intestinal tract and taken up by the liver.

Probiotic bacteria – especially Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Enterococcus and Clostridium– produce enzymes that convert bile into a less soluble form which is excreted in feces before reabsorption into the bloodstream.  Replacement bile, lost in excretion, is then replenished by drawing upon serum cholesterol as the building material; leading to a reduction in serum cholesterol. Oral administration of probiotics has shown to reduce cholesterol levels by as much as 33 percent in animal and human studies.  These cholesterol-lowering effects can be partially ascribed to bile salt hydrolase (BSH) activity.

Here is an abbreviated list of bacteria having demonstrated ability to lower serum cholesterol through BSH activity in randomized controlled trials.  There are dozens of bacterial species having BSH activity, but to be used as a probiotic, it must be safe for human ingestion and have tolerance of physiological stresses: e.g., low pH, osmolarity change and bile.

• Bifidobacterium breve
• B. infantis
• B. longum
• Lactobacillus acidolphilus
• L. casei
• L. fermentum
• L. rhamnosus
• L. plantarum

The cholesterol reducing effect of probiotics is also attributed to their ability to bind with cholesterol in the small intestine.  In vitro studies reveal that the capacity to bind cholesterol and the amount of cholesterol assimilated varies widely among strains. Interestingly, although live bacteria remove more cholesterol than dead cells, heat-killed cells also will remove some cholesterol, indicating that cholesterol binds to the cellular surface.

Increasingly, it is being demonstrated that many aspects of general health begin and reside in the metabolic processes surrounding digestion. The benefits of probiotic activity in relation to cholesterol levels is one such example.

Did you know...

 "Oral administration of probiotics has shown to REDUCE CHOLESTEROL LEVELS BY AS MUCH AS 33%"- in animal and human studies.

What Makes NutriClean® Probiotics Unique? 

NutriClean Probiotics

Diversity of strains, total bacterial count and protection of the probiotics are key elements in a powerful probiotic product. The digestive tract is home to 400-500 different types of microbes. These microbes include both healthy bacteria (probiotics) and potentially unhealthy bacteria. Maintaining optimal digestive and immune health depends in large part on maintaining optimal bacterial balance within the digestive tract. With such tremendous diversity naturally present in the digestive tract, it is important to supplement with not just one strain, but numerous strains of probiotics, so that the most comprehensive benefit is received.

Many products on the market deliver a high total probiotic count, but they are only coming from one or two strains. These practices yield products which do not deliver comprehensive support. According to research published in Food Research International, probiotic products which deliver multiple strains can offer more benefits than a single strain. Market America’s NutriClean Probiotics delivers 10 billion CFUs from 10 different strains with patented LiveBac® and Bio-tract® technologies to help keep the probiotics viable during both bottling and throughout the digestive process.*

Each strain has a unique purpose and the strains work synergistically to support numerous areas of health from immunity to stomach comfort and bowel regularity. Your body is a bacterial battlefield. As with a true battle, there may be lots of different types of good guys and lots of different types of bad guys. On “Good Guys Team” (NutriClean Probiotics), you have the Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force. Each component of the team brings a unique area of expertise and, working together, they achieve their goal. When your good guys are outnumbered, you don’t want to just bring in more Navy, you need a variety of strong, capable resources with unique talents.

“The Good Guys Team” (NutriClean Probiotics) are 10 carefully selected bacterial strains – six lactobacilli strains and four bifidobacterium strains – each with a unique role to help your body maintain bacterial balance and optimal digestive health.  

Staying Ahead of Cold and Flu Season

It’s that time of the year again: cold and flu season. Easily one of the more unpleasant experiences to have during the fall, getting sick is surprisingly common and it simply doesn’t need to be. There are plenty of things we can do to prevent coming down with the cold or flu this year.

Washing your hands often and avoiding touching your face, nose, eyes or mouth can help prevent the spread of germs. Even sanitizing doorknobs, handles, keyboards, remotes, keys, and other items you frequently touch can help to keep the cold and flu contained…but what happens when those pathogens are introduced into the body?

Even if you’re prepared for flu season this year, others may not be quite as thoughtful when it comes to flu prevention. The average sneeze travels at approximately 100 miles per hour and carries over 100,000 germs a sneeze. With autumn on its way, now is the time to prime your immune system:

Vitamin A stimulates the production and activity of white blood cells and the endothelial cells that line the body’s interior surfaces which offer primary protection from illness and infection. In its pure form, Vitamin A can be toxic, but stored as Beta Carotene, the body will only convert and use what it needs. The remaining Beta Carotene works as an antioxidant in the body fighting free radicals. Vitamin A must be replaced daily, so make sure this is a part of your everyday regimen.

Vitamin C is well-known for its immunity benefits. Taking Vitamin C regularly can boost immunity, and people who take extra doses of Vitamin C report recovering from colds and the flu much faster than others. Even levels of 200 mg/day increase levels of immunoglobulin, which are proteins that act as disease-fighting antibodies. Vitamin C is often stored as Ascorbic Acid, which also increases the absorption of other vitamins you may be taking.

Vitamin D is best known as a precursor to calcium absorption and bone health, but the Harvard School of Public Health states that vitamin D also obstructs some of the damaging inflammatory response of some white blood cells. This can make a world of difference for those suffering swollen lymph nodes or raw, scratchy throats this cold and flu season. 

Not only can Vitamin E can also help support your body’s healing abilities, but it can also increase immunity response to pathogens. Studies by the Nutritional Immunology Laboratory preformed two separate studies around vitamin E supplementation. His first study found elderly patients who took vitamin E regularly were less likely to come down with colds or upper respiratory infections. The study was repeated again with young men as test subjects who also showed increased immune response.

Selenium is a trace mineral which is reduced into selenoproteins by the body. In this form, it can not only  supports cellular immune response and cell membrane health, but it can also aid the body facilitate antioxidant enzymes. This means selenium can play a substantial role in helping the body fight off pathogens and free radicals.

Regular amounts of zinc can help ensure your T-cells and other immune cells are able to function properly and defend the body. Zinc deficiency or zinc overdose can inhibit your immune response. Meeting your Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) can help you avoid developing a deficiency of the trace element, zinc. 

All of these can be taken simply by using this here

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