Recent research indicates that individuals with lower cholesterol levels, a key factor in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, might owe this to higher levels of specific bacteria in their digestive systems. This study shines a light on the potential relationship between gut microbiota and cholesterol management.
“Lowering cholesterol in the intestine is an already approved strategy for reducing circulating cholesterol levels,” says Martin Stražar, PhD, one of the lead authors of the study and a computational biologist at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University in Boston.
In fact, one commonly prescribed cholesterol medication, Zetia (ezetimibe), works by reducing how much “bad” low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) people absorb as they digest their food, Dr. Stražar says. “It is reasonable to assume that bacteria could achieve the same effect,” Stražar adds.
To explore this hypothesis, scientists examined the gut microbiome, which includes the diverse community of bacteria, fungi, parasites, viruses, and other microorganisms residing in the digestive tract. This investigation involved tested stool samples from over 1,400 individuals, providing a representative snapshot of the gut microbiome’s composition.
Oscillibacter Bacteria in the Gut Microbiome
Individuals with elevated levels of bacteria from the genus Oscillibacter in their gut microbiome exhibited lower cholesterol levels, according to a study published in Cell.
While the gut microbiome is believe to impact various health conditions, significant research is still needed to confirm how it might influence cholesterol levels and whether modifying the compositing of gut organisms could benefit heart health, says Florian Fricke, PhD, a professor and microbiome researcher at the University of Hohenheim in Germany, who was not involved in the recent study.
Dr. Fricke says, “A lot more work will be needed to determine if specific strains of Oscillibacter are beneficial and should be promoted in the gut microbiome.”
Dr. Fricke also notes that the observed association between Oscillibacter and cholesterol levels could be influenced by lifestyle factors such as diet. Therefore, it is not yet clear whether altering the gut microbiome to increase Oscillibacter levels would directly result in lower cholesterol.
Potential to Alter Gut Microbiome to Lower Cholesterol
Despite these uncertainties, the concept of modifying the gut microbiome to manage cholesterol levels is compelling. Improving the gut microbiome may be simpler than many people think, requiring a diet rich in fiber and nutrient-dense foods.
The potential to use beneficial bacteria as a treatment for high cholesterol is particularly appealing for individuals who struggle to achieve healthy cholesterol levels through diet, exercise, or existing medications. These individuals remain at higher risk for cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes.
Ramnik Xavier, MD, PhD, a senior study author and professor at Harvard University, as well as the director of the Center for Computational and Integrative Biology at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, cautions that while the idea is promising, practical applications are still far off.
A high cholesterol treatment with beneficial bacteria is a long way off. “But maybe in patients at risk, we could lower that risk at a much earlier stage,” Dr. Xavier says.
Future Directions and Implications
The findings from this study pave the way for future research aimed at understanding the precise mechanisms by which gut bacteria like Oscillibacter may influence cholesterol levels. This research could lead to innovative strategies for managing cholesterol and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. The possibility of developing new treatments based on the manipulation of the gut microbiome holds significant promise for those who cannot control their cholesterol through traditional means.
As scientists continue to unravel the complex interactions between gut microbiota and human health, the potential for using these microorganisms as a therapeutic tool becomes increasingly plausible. The journey from discovery to practical applications may be lengthy, but the insights gained from studies like this one offer hope for new, effective approaches to managing cardiovascular health.
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