Heart Health

Beyond Bone Health: Researchers Uncover New Vitamin D Benefits

With old research under fire and new research turning up previously unknown vitamin D benefits, the “sunshine vitamin,” has been an increasingly hot topic among the research community. As the summer draws to a close and the days begin to once again shorten, it’s a good time to take a look back at some of this year’s vitamin D research highlights and evaluate if you should be adding more vitamin D to your diet.

Vitamin D: What is It and What Does It Do?

Vitamin D is both a hormone that our bodies naturally synthesize as well as an essential nutrient that can be found in foods such as beef liver, eggs, mushrooms and certain fatty fish. It is nicknamed the “sunshine vitamin” because our bodies are able to produce vitamin D through cholesterol when exposed to sunlight. Because few food sources exist that naturally contain high amounts of vitamin D, the best dietary sources of vitamin D are dietary supplements and fortified foods such as breakfast cereals and dairy products.

A critical component in the building of bone, vitamin D helps the body to absorb and hold on to calcium and phosphorus. Vitamin D’s role in the body, however, goes far beyond our bones and calcium regulation. Many of the organs and tissues in the body have receptors specifically for vitamin D. Aside from bone health, we know that vitamin D is also important to immune function and helping to control infections. Studies have shown that vitamin D may affect the body’s inflammatory response as well. Researchers continue to study vitamin D in an effort to glean its other potential functions.

Research Roundup: Vitamin D Benefits Beyond Bone Health

Vitamin D and Cancer

Because of vitamin D’s role in cell growth and regulation, there’s been increasing research into the link between vitamin D levels and cancer. One study conducted by scientists at UC San Diego and published in the journal PLOS ONE found that postmenopausal women with high levels of vitamin D were one-fifth less likely to develop breast cancer when compared to those who had lower levels of the vitamin.

In another study, which was published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, scientists found that individuals with higher concentrations of vitamin D were 22 percent less likely to develop colorectal cancer, while those deficient in the vitamin were 31 percent more at risk. While research may yield mixed results, overwhelmingly, the evidence seems to suggest that higher vitamin D levels could decrease the risk of developing certain cancers.

Vitamin D and Diabetes

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (CU Anschutz) and published earlier this year in the journal Diabetes found a link between appropriate levels of vitamin D in infancy and childhood and a decreased likelihood of islet autoimmunity in children who are genetically at risk for Type 1 diabetes.

In a decade-long epidemiological study, which was published in PLOS ONE, researchers from Seoul National University and the UC San Diego School of Medicine determined that deficient levels of vitamin D can increase the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by five-fold.

According to a paper published in the journal Cell, scientists from the Salk Institute found that activating pancreatic vitamin D receptors had the potential to repair and protect beta cells, the cells in the pancreas that synthesize, store, and dispense the insulin hormone, posing a potential new method of treatment for diabetics.

Vitamin D and Heart Disease

Clinical studies have associated vitamin D deficiency with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Heart-related diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetes and hypertension can cause significant damage to the cardiovascular system. In findings that were published in the International Journal of Nanomedicine, a team of researchers from Ohio University investigated the effects of vitamin D on heart health and found that vitamin D3 reduces oxidative stress to the cardiovascular system and “significantly” restores the cardiovascular damage caused by such diseases.

Arterial stiffness is an early indicator of cardiovascular disease. In a study conducted by researchers at Georgia’s Augusta University and published in the journal PLOS ONE, researchers found that supplementing with vitamin D improved symptoms of rigid arteries.

In findings that were published earlier this year in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, a team of Norwegian researchers from the University of Bergen revealed that vitamin D reduced the risk of death by 30 percent in patients who are suffering from cardiovascular disease. Supporting research from the Westmead Institute for Medical research and published in the journal Heart, Lung and Circulation found that vitamin D protects heart tissues and decreases the likelihood of heart failure after a heart attack.

Vitamin D and Obesity

According to data presented by the Netherland’s VU University Medical Center and Leiden University Medical Center at this year’s annual meeting European Society of Endocrinology, low vitamin D levels are strongly related to an increased accumulation of belly fat.

Researchers from the University of Southern California reported in Pediatric Obesity that children born to vitamin D-deficient mothers were more likely to be overweight when compared to the children of mothers who had plenty of vitamin D throughout their pregnancies, suggesting that a deficiency of vitamin D during pregnancy “pre-programs” children for obesity.

How Much Vitamin D Do You Need?

The amount of vitamin D needed depends mostly on the individual’s age. According to the National Institutes of Health recommendations, persons between the ages 1-70, including women who are pregnant or nursing, are encouraged to consume 400 IUs of vitamin D daily. It is recommended that individuals over the age of 71 consume 800 IUs of vitamin D daily.

However, many experts agree that a higher intake should be observed. A report issued in The Journal Of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism by the Endocrine Society suggests a significantly higher intake is needed to raise the amount of vitamin D in the blood to therapeutic levels.

New Research Suggests Green Tea Compound EGCG Fights Atherosclerosis

Aug 13 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

According to a new study funded by the British Heart Foundation, the green tea compound EGCG fights atherosclerosis, a condition which can lead to heart attack and stroke.

What is Atherosclerosis?

Atherosclerosis is a condition that occurs when fatty deposits build up inside the blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood to the heart, brain and other parts of the body. Over time, these fatty materials, largely comprised of calcium, cholesterol and fats, harden into plaques that narrow the arteries and restrict blood flow.

Though atherosclerosis may present no symptoms, it is a serious condition with potentially deadly outcomes. The exact cause of atherosclerosis is unknown, but there are certain known factors that place one more at risk, such as unhealthy eating habits, a sedentary lifestyle, smoking or having a family history of heart disease.

EGCG Breaks Down Amyloid Plaques

In later stages of atherosclerosis, a protein called apolipoprotein A-1 (apoA-1) develops amyloid deposits. These amyloid deposits, which are structurally similar to the amyloid plaques that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease, bind to the atherosclerosis plaques causing them to increase in size and decrease in stability, both factors which significantly increase the risk of heart attack or stroke. It was the amyloid plaques that drew the interest of researchers out of the UK’s Lancaster University and the University of Leeds.

Over the past few years, numerous studies with promising results have been conducted on natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds. One compound in particular, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a polyphenol found in green tea, has been shown to be a potential preventative measure and therapeutic agent for neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

According to the lead author of the study, David Middleton, a professor of chemistry at Lancaster University, “the health benefits of green tea have been widely promoted and it has been known for some time that EGCG can alter the structures of amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease.”

In their research, the team found that when combined with heparin, a polysaccharide produced naturally by the body that acts as an anticoagulant in therapeutic doses, EGCG binds itself to the amyloid fibers of the apoA-1 protein and converts them into smaller, more easily soluble particles that are less likely to cause damage to the vessels. Essentially, EGCG fights atherosclerosis by breaking down the amyloid plaques.

“Our results show that this intriguing compound might also be effective against the types of plaques which can cause heart attacks and strokes,” said Middleton.

Their findings have been published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

Further Research Needed on How EGCG Fights Athersclerosis

The team notes that drinking green tea alone is likely not enough to see the benefits of their research, as the quantities necessary could be “potentially harmful.” According to Professor Jeremy Pearson, the Associate Medical Director of the BHF and coauthor of the study, “our bodies are very good at breaking down EGCG so swapping your cuppa for green tea is unlikely to make a big difference with respect to your heart health.”

Further work is to be done to develop new safer and more efficient methods of EGCG delivery. “[By] engineering the molecule slightly, we might be able to make new medicines to treat heart attack and stroke,” said Pearson.

Coauthor Sheena Radford, who is the acting Director of the Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology at the University of Leeds, concluded, “the findings of this round of studies are very encouraging. We now need to apply the best scientific techniques to find how we can take the molecular EGCG element from green tea, and turn it into a functioning tool to combat life-limiting health issues.”

Should You Add Green Tea to Your Diet?

In short? Yes! In its current form, green tea may not be today’s cure for atherosclerosis, but it still possesses a number of proven health benefits and is a rich source of highly beneficial antioxidants. Green tea has long been used in Ayurvedic practices and Traditional Chinese Medicine to aid digestion, promote wound healing, support heart health and soothe the mind, along with quite a few other uses. Green tea compounds can also be found in various other dietary supplements. Recent scientific studies have given weight to these claims by demonstrating green tea’s vast potential as a preventative and therapeutic agent.

Here are just a few of the potential health benefits of green tea:

Cancer. Drinking green tea may lower your risk for certain cancers. Research has shown the polyphenols in green tea may inhibit the rate of tumor growth, fight against cancerous cells and stop new ones from developing.
Cholesterol. Green tea helps to decrease the amount of bad cholesterol that resides in the blood, helping to promote a healthy ratio of good and bad cholesterol.
Dental Health. Green tea is thought to improve dental health, decrease halitosis, and increase oral immunity.
Diabetes. Green tea may lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Research has demonstrated that the antioxidant compounds in green tea lower blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity.
Mood and Focus. Green tea contains compounds that have been shown to provide the drinker with feelings of relaxation as well as a boost to their mental clarity.
Neurodegenerative diseases. Green tea compounds have demonstrated neuroprotective properties and have been linked to a lowered risk for developing Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease.
Skin Health. Green tea has been shown to improve inflammatory skin disorders. Studies have shown that green tea soothes inflammation and modulates the irregular growth of skin cells that accompanies skin diseases. Studies have also demonstrated that green tea soothes wrinkles and helps to fight acne breakouts.

Exercise: A New Link Between Gut Bacteria and Heart Health

Aug 01 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Much previous research has been devoted to the myriad of health benefits provided by the microbes that thrive in our bellies. These microbes form a colony within the body known as a microbiome, which consists of trillions of microbes that flourish in the nose, esophagus, mouth and in the gastrointestinal tract. These microbes actually help us by assisting the body’s immune response, helping to encourage the use of vitamins and nutrients and even helping to power the brain. In fact, we’re only beginning to unravel the many ways in which these microbes help our bodies function.

These beneficial microbes all function differently, depending on their location in the body, and their performance may even vary from person to person. From genetics to environmental factors, there are many reasons that these microbes will function differently between individuals. While a microbiome may not react exactly the same in every person, we do know that this community of microbes works to prevent the conditions that cause atherosclerosis.

When an individual develops atherosclerosis, plaque and other foreign substances accumulate in the arteries, inhibiting blood flow. The decreased blood flow is the root cause of many heart conditions, including heart attacks. However, a diverse microbiome can promote the growth of healthy bacteria that aid blood flow, while also interfering with the production of the harmful bacteria that causes inflammation of the blood vessels. Now, new research sheds light on exactly how gut bacteria and heart health are related and which may also explain why diet and exercise are so important to our overall health.

New Research Explores the Link Between Gut Bacteria and Heart Health

A recent study, conducted at the Department of Kinesiology at the San Francisco State University in California, took earlier research on gut bacteria and heart health a step further. The findings were published for the first time in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism. Ryan Durk and his team wanted to see how physical fitness and gut bacteria were related, so they studied 20 men and 17 women. Looking at how physical fitness affected cardiovascular health, the team subjected the test group to regular treadmill workouts. Additionally, they took measurements of each individual’s body fat, using a “Bod Pod” device. The machine uses air displacement plethysmography to compare fat mass to lean muscle mass in an individual.

Other factors that helped Durk’s team obtain their findings consisted of food diaries and stool samples from each participant. The stool samples were especially helpful in determining gut health, because the ratio of firmicutes to bacteroides is considered a reliable method of measurement. Typically, an imbalance between these two types of bacteria indicates obesity, irritable bowel syndrome and other medical conditions relating to gastrointestinal health.

When comparing all of the factors, the researchers discovered that those with a more active level of cardiovascular fitness also had higher firmicute to bacteroide ratios. The higher levels of firmicute were found to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria from the gut to other parts of the body. Mr. Durk added that the lining of the intestine was strengthened by the increased firmicutes, which helped to prevent the occurrence of leaky gut syndrome.

Two More Ways a Healthy Gut Improves Heart Health

Aside from the new connection linking exercise to gut health and heart health, a healthy balance of microflora in the digestive tract has been shown to support a healthy cardiovascular system in other ways.

Arterial Health

The European Heart Journal published the findings of a collaborative study conducted between the University of Nottingham and King’s College London. They found that poorer diversity in gut bacteria in women caused more prominent hardening of the arteries. In addition to finding that gut bacteria diversity plays a part in heart health, the research team also found that changing one’s diet can significantly alter that balance. While the researchers caution against concluding that lower gut bacteria causes cardiovascular disease, they did affirm that there is an association between the two factors.

Some Gut Bacteria Increase the Risks of Heart Attack and Stroke

The relationship between gut bacteria and heart health isn’t always a positive one. Some bacteria in the stomach actually increase the risk of having a stroke or a heart attack, according to Dr. Elizabeth Klodas. In addition to her work as a cardiologist, Dr. Klodas is the editor-in-chief of CardioSmart.org, which is a patient educational periodical published by the American College of Cardiology.

Dr. Klodas posits that some gut bacteria convert the choline in red meat and eggs into trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO). The compound has been linked to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD), which can cause vascular events to occur. She points out that TMAO is responsible for a higher likelihood of blood clots forming in the arteries. When this does occur, experiencing a heart attack or stroke is the most probable outcome.
In supporting her statements, Dr. Klodas referred to a study of more than 2,000 patients. She said, even after other risk factors had been calculated, the higher TMAO counts still presented an increased risk of ACVD and blood clotting. She added that those with higher TMAO counts were four times more likely to die from a vascular event within the next five years.

When examining the way gut bacteria interact with the rest of the body, we begin to understand why the foods we eat are so important. By eating healthier natural foods, we can give our digestive system the tools it needs to strengthen the rest of the body. We’ve always known that eating right makes us healthier, but now we’re beginning to understand why it’s so beneficial to our bodies.

Recent Study Supports Using Multivitamins for Heart Health

Jul 18 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

For heart patients who don’t already take statins, a new study reveals there are great benefits in taking multivitamins for heart health.

The Importance of Multivitamins for Heart Health

Looking at how multivitamins affect heart health, an expansive study evaluated patients at 134 different sites throughout North America. The study’s initial purpose was to examine how effective and safe EDTA chelation is for patients with a history of heart disease or those with coronary artery disease. Typically, patients administered EDTA chelation through an alternative medicine caregiver also take high doses of multivitamins. Considering this factor, researchers also wanted to see what role, if any, those multivitamins played in affecting heart health.

Chelation is the process of binding molecules together and withdrawing them from the body. Even though there haven’t been any previous studies on this procedure’s effectiveness or safety, its use has risen considerably in recent years. Between 2002 and 2007, the use of this process has grown by nearly 68 percent in the United States. More than 111,000 people had undergone the treatment by 2007.

For the study, researchers wanted to obtain more detailed results, so they divided patients into four groups:

those taking Chelation in addition to multivitamins
those taking Chelation, but with placebo multivitamins
those taking placebo Chelation, but with real multivitamins
those taking placebo Chelation and placebo supplements

An additional factor that contributed to determining the benefits of multivitamins for heart health had to do with whether patients were taking statins at the time of the study. Researchers noted that 73 percent of patients were taking statins, while 27 percent had not been prescribed any statins. The study found that those individuals taking statins experienced no changes from taking the multivitamin supplements. Conversely, the 27 percent who were not taking statins did exhibit beneficial changes, regardless of whether they were receiving actual chelation therapy or the placebo replacement.

Patients taking high doses of multivitamins exhibited far fewer incidences of:

all heart-related deaths
angina hospitalizations
coronary artery bypass procedures
heart attacks
strokes

The Quality of Multivitamin Supplements Also Plays a Role

In examining the benefits of multivitamins for heart health, researchers also found that the type of multivitamin administered also played a role. The same benefits were not achieved by those individuals taking over-the-counter or generic multivitamins as those taking a high-quality multivitamin supplement. For this reason, consumers should look for vitamin manufacturers who take an interest in ensuring their products are manufactured with a dedication to the latest multivitamin research and ingredient quality.

The best multivitamins for heart health come from those manufacturers who enlist outside certification and testing services. For manufacturers, this gives their brand a higher degree of credibility, which may become more important as the results of this study become more widely known.

Another Study Reveals Why Multivitamins are so Helpful

Bruce Ames is a biochemist and author of Triage Theory of Aging, which was released in 2006. In looking at how micronutrient levels affect the body, he observed that a shortage of nutrients forced the body to send those compounds to where they were needed most, depriving other parts of the body. For instance, a calcium deficiency would compel the body to send the existing calcium from the bones to the blood stream, in order to prevent metabolic acidosis. When that deficiency is prolonged, the absence of calcium in the bones precipitates bone loss.

He concluded that the key to resolving this condition is to provide a greater balance of vitamins and nutrients to the body. A good quality multivitamin taken regularly can restore balance to the body’s metabolism and ensure it’s getting all of the nutrients it needs and in the quantities required for normal functioning. As a lack of proper nutrient levels can cause degenerative illnesses and diseases to develop in deprived systems, this may be the key to reducing the risks of developing conditions like heart disease or osteoporosis.

The results of these studies point to the importance of multivitamins for heart health, but only where patients aren’t also taking statins and where the supplement is of a high quality. As future studies explore this premise further, practices for treating heart disease may change to incorporate an emphasis on taking high doses of multivitamins. In addition to helping avoid heart risks, multivitamins may also strengthen other systems throughout the body.

Belly Fat and Vitamin D Levels Linked

May 24 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Thanks to increased research attention in recent years, we are beginning to form a better understanding of how vitamin D — an essential nutrient long associated with bone health — impacts not only our musculoskeletal system but also other critical aspects of our health. Naturally produced by our skin when exposed to sunlight, vitamin D is also present in food sources like cod liver oil, beef liver, eggs, certain oily fish such as mackerel, herring, tuna and in fortified products such as milk and cereal. Certain supplements also provide vitamin D. Vitamin D is vital to our body’s ability to absorb calcium and also directly impacts blood pressure levels, brain function, lung function, immunity and even mood regulation.

Vitamin D Deficiency: A Widely Overlooked Epidemic

By the Institute of Medicine’s standards, over a quarter of the U.S. suffers from either low or inadequate levels of vitamin D. What’s more, many experts believe that recommended levels of vitamin D should be two to three times higher than those recommended by the IOM — which would make more than 95 percent of the U.S. population either deficient or at risk of deficiency. Vitamin D deficiencies have been linked to diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and multiple sclerosis. Previous research has suggested that there may exist a link between vitamin D deficiency and obesity.

A global epidemic, obesity contributes to the death of some 2.8 million people worldwide each year. In the United States alone, more than 78 million adults are considered obese. That means that over one-third of adults in the United States are at risk for easily preventable but potentially life-threatening conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and certain types of cancer. A proven link between obesity and vitamin D levels could very well have wide-reaching implications for a vast majority of the population.

Researchers Discover Significant Link Between Belly Fat and Vitamin D

A group of researchers from the Netherland’s VU University Medical Center and Leiden University Medical Center sought to better understand the link between obesity and vitamin D levels by observing the types and locations of fat that were associated.

Led by Rachida Rafiq, the team examined data from the Netherlands Epidemiology of Obesity study, focusing specifically on the adipose (fat) tissues of participants in relation to their vitamin D levels. In particular, the researchers examined the participants’ total body fat, subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue (belly fat), visceral adipose tissue (fat surrounding the organs) as well as their hepatic (liver) fats. The data were adjusted accordingly for potentially influential variables such as alcohol levels, chronic disease and physical activity and the results then examined.

The researchers found that in women, both total body fat and belly fat were linked with lower vitamin D levels, with the abdominal fat having a significantly greater impact. In men, abdominal fat and liver fat were found to hold higher associations with lower vitamin D levels. In every single case, however, it was obvious that the higher the amount of abdominal fat, the less vitamin D was detected, suggesting that those with larger bellies are more likely to experience a vitamin D deficiency and are therefore also at a greater risk of health complications that accompany lowered vitamin D levels.

According to Rafiq, “Although we did not measure vitamin D deficiency in our study, the strong relationship between increasing amounts of abdominal fat and lower levels of vitamin D suggests that individuals with larger waistlines are at a greater risk of developing deficiency, and should consider having their vitamin D levels checked.”

Understanding the Link Between Vitamin D Levels and Fat Tissue

While the direction or cause of this association is not yet understood, these findings provide a point of focus for future studies. The team hopes to further investigate the association between belly fat and vitamin D so they may shed more light on whether exactly a lack of vitamin D predisposes individuals to gain weight or if increased fat causes a decrease in vitamin D levels.

“Due to the observational nature of this study, we cannot draw a conclusion on the direction or cause of the association between obesity and vitamin D levels. However, this strong association may point to a possible role for vitamin D in abdominal fat storage and function,” Rafiq said.

Research on Gut Bacteria Uncovers New Heart Health, Immune System Benefits

May 16 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Over the past decade, research on gut bacteria has exponentially increased our understanding of how our gut affects us as a whole. So, what exactly is the gut microbiome, how does it form and what is the link to immune response and heart health?

What is the Microbiome?

Each one of us possesses a complex and completely unique ecosystem of microbes that exist on and inside of our bodies, which is collectively referred to as the microbiome. The human body cohabitates in a symbiotic relationship with these trillions of microorganisms, known as the microbiota, that form communities everywhere from on our skin, in our mouths, in the nasal passage and of course, in our gastrointestinal tract. In fact, the largest number of these microorganisms exist within our guts.

These microbes have evolved over hundreds of thousands of years to form this mutually beneficial relationship. They play key roles in core bodily functions such as immune response, vitamin and nutrient production and uptake, brain function and disease resistance. Any imbalance to this delicate relationship can have adverse health effects.

How Does the Microbiome Form?

No two people share the same microbiota composition, and even within our own bodies, the communities of microbes are vastly different between locations. There are many factors that contribute to the makeup of our microbiome. The moment that we arrive in this world, microorganisms begin to make themselves at home. In fact, even the way that we’re born plays a large role in the types of microbes that take up residence. Our microbiome continues to evolve over our lifetime. There are many factors that contribute to the diversity of microbiota within our microbiome, including:

the composition of our mother’s own gut microbiota
whether we are breastfed or formula fed as infants
disease, trauma or stressful life events early in life
dietary intake and eating regimens
the amount of physical activity we get
personal hygiene habits
alcohol and cigarette consumption
the use of antibiotics or other medications
acute and chronic stress

While there has been increasing research on gut bacteria, very little is known about exactly how a microbiome is established and maintained to begin with. Researchers from Caltech recently set out to form a better understanding of just how these microorganisms make themselves at home.

The team’s research, which was led by graduate student Gregory Donaldson, was recently published in the journal Science. The researchers examined a microbe called Bacteroides fragilis that is typically found in abundance in the intestines of humans. Bacteroides fragilis was of particular interest because though multiple strains of the bacteria exist, most people will form a long-term relationship with a single strain.

According to Donaldson, “studies by other labs have shown that most people carry the same strain of B. fragilis throughout their lives. We wanted to understand at a molecular level how these bacteria are able to colonize the gut in a stable, long-term way.”

What the researchers discovered is that the microbiota had the ability to trigger a tailor-made immune response. Bacteroides fragilis makes itself at home deep within the thick mucus that lines the guts close to the surface of the intestines. The bacteria are encased in a protective capsule made of carbohydrates, the type of which is typically associated with pathogens, the bad bacteria, and is not normally found within the mucosal layer.

Typically, these bacterial capsules trigger an immune response in which the body produces antibodies that attempt to eradicate the pathogens. However, in this instance, the team observed that instead of destroying the bacteria, the antibodies that were binding to the Bacteroides fragilis were in fact helping the bacterium to successfully colonize.

“It is surprising to find that an immune response actually helps beneficial bacteria to thrive, which in turn helps the host thrive. The study of immunology has mainly been in the context of pathogenic bacteria. But there are trillions of bacteria in the gut, and most of the time none of them are making you sick. Our study shows that there is active immune recognition of these bacteria, but it helps rather than hinders them. This suggests that the immune system is more than just a defense system and antibodies are more than just weapons,” said Donaldson.

Resetting the Microbiome

Recent research on gut bacteria and the link to immune response suggests that resetting the gut microbiota composition may have health benefits. Other research has also linked the disruption of the gut flora to improvements in health, particularly cardiovascular health.

Microbes within the gut produce T cells, which are activated by heart failure and are known to progress the disease. These T cells travel to the heart and provoke an immune response which causes inflammation and forms scar tissue. In findings that were presented at the 2018 Experimental Biology conference, Dr. Francisco J. Carrillo-Salinas exhibited that sterilizing the gut decreased the number of available T cells and prevented these detrimental changes from occurring.

“Understanding how the gut microbiota directly regulates the function of distant organs such as the heart will shed new light on potential new therapeutic approaches in patients recently diagnosed with heart failure to prevent progression,” said Dr. Carrillo-Salinas.