The nationwide increase in cardiovascular disease, in part, can be attributed to a lack of healthy food choices, chemically-processed additives, and sugary sweeteners (high fructose corn syrup, glucose, and fructose) along with a decrease in physical activity. But when you hear the word probiotic, the first thing that comes to mind most likely isn’t “cardiovascular health”. Although human digestion requires a reasonable amount of healthy bacteria, adding a probiotic to your dietary intake may play a critical role in the reduction of arterial hardening in the body.
In a recent landmark study in the 2011 issue of Nature Science Journal, scientists have discovered a substance called TMAO (trimethylamine N-oxide). TMAO, a by-product of lecithin and its metabolite choline, encourages fatty plaque deposits to form within the artery walls. In fact, having more of this substance increases your risk of developing heart disease and further complications. Depending on the kinds of bacteria that inhabit the gut, you could be producing TMAO; in essence, putting your heart and related organs at risk.
So, how can you lower your TMAO levels? Don’t worry – you can easily modify your gut microbiology and levels of TMAO by taking a probiotic in supplement form. Keep in mind the longer you have prolonged stress or support a processed diet stemming from refined grains, use of prescription antibiotics, and sugary foods, the longer it will take to see results. It seems hard to comprehend, but the intestinal lining is in direct conversation with the heart and your whole circulatory system.
Although still in its infancy, scientists are already beginning to realize the serious role probiotics play in the overall health of the human body. For a healthy flora count, eat a balanced diet with an emphasis on organic, minimally processed, low sugar, locally sourced foods. Although it all comes down to what you choose to eat, supplementing your diet with probiotics could be a major factor in the fight against arteriosclerosis.
