In recent research, the gut microbiome has emerged as a key player in overall health, influencing everything from digestion to mental health, thanks to the gut-brain axis. However, what’s even more surprising is the link between gut health and cardiovascular health, which some scientists call the gut-heart axis.
Research suggests that the microorganisms residing in our digestive and oral systems can significantly affect our heart and vascular health. While one might never think the two things could be related, studies increasingly reveal that a healthy gut microbiome could be essential in reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular conditions. Since cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and morbidity worldwide, understanding this connection is crucial.
What is the gut microbiome?
The gut microbiome refers to the trillions of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, archaea, and parasites, that live in our intestines. These microbes help digest food, regulate immune function, and even produce enzymes and vitamins essential for bodily processes. However, when the balance of these microbes is disrupted, a condition known as dysbiosis occurs. Dysbiosis is an imbalance in the gut microbiome, where harmful bacteria outnumber beneficial ones. This imbalance can be temporary, with balance later being restored, or chronic. Chronic dysbiosis can lay the groundwork for far-reaching consequences for overall health, including cardiovascular and other chronic diseases.
One of the most interesting things about the gut microbiome is that scientists can analyze its diversity and composition in study participants and find links to certain medical conditions. For example, patients with high blood pressure were shown to have a lower overall diversity of gut microbiota and an increased abundance of certain types of bacteria like Clostridiales.
You may be wondering exactly how dysbiosis can lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The trillions of microorganisms in your gut act as one metabolically active superorganism with products and activities that greatly influence your overall health. Let’s get into what that means for your heart.
The inflammation link
One of the main ways dysbiosis contributes to heart disease is through its effect on inflammation. A disturbed microbiome can trigger chronic and body-wide inflammation, which is a key player in all phases of atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in arteries) and an increased risk of heart attack or stroke, among other conditions.
Inflammatory cytokines, or signaling proteins that help control inflammation in the body, are produced in the gut and can enter the bloodstream to affect the rest of your body. Studies have found a strong link between inflammatory cytokines and heart disease.
The role of gut-derived metabolites
Certain bacteria in the gut produce metabolites that can negatively or positively affect cardiovascular health.
One of the most well-known metabolites linked to heart disease is trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), a compound produced when gut bacteria digest choline and carnitine, which are found in red meat and other animal products. Once absorbed into the bloodstream, TMAO promotes arterial plaque formation, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis. A higher plasma concentration of TMAO is associated with a greater risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and related complications like major adverse cardiovascular events.
Some studies suggest that reducing TMAO production through dietary changes can help prevent cardiovascular issues. Interestingly, individuals who consume a plant-based diet, which is low in choline and carnitine, tend to have lower TMAO levels and, consequently, a lower risk of heart disease.
Conversely, another gut-derived metabolite called short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), produced by gut bacteria through fermentation of dietary fiber, positively affects cardiovascular health by regulating blood pressure, inflammation, and lipid metabolism. A 2018 study shows that SCFAs protect from cardiovascular damage caused by high blood pressure.
These two gut-derived metabolites and their opposing effects on the heart are potent examples of how what we eat can profoundly affect our cardiovascular health.
Gut health and metabolic risk factors
An unhealthy gut microbiome can affect metabolic processes, contributing to obesity and insulin resistance, which are both risk factors for heart disease. A balanced microbiome, on the other hand, supports healthy digestion, a strong immune system, and proper metabolic function, all of which help maintain heart health.
A 2024 study1 by Dr. Liubov Sichel, Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Stellar Biotics, and researchers from O.O. Bogomolets National Medical University, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, and the Center for Innovative Medical Technologies trialed del-IMMUNE V®, an all-natural metabiotic/postbiotic supplement, in patients with type 2 diabetes. They found that subjects taking del-IMMUNE V® had improvements in parameters indicating the severity of type 2 diabetes and decreased body weights and bodily measurements.
Metabiotic and postbiotic supplements like del-IMMUNE V® can modulate immune system reactions and influence the gut microbiome, contributing to improved metabolic function and better management of blood sugar levels. These results have significant implications on cardiovascular health since type 2 diabetes predisposes people to cardiovascular disease.
Promoting a healthy gut for a healthy heart
So, how can we support a healthy gut microbiome to protect our cardiovascular health? The good news is that there are several ways to improve gut health and, in turn, reduce the risk of heart disease:
- Consume lots of fruits and vegetables: Fruits and vegetables contain fiber, which feeds beneficial gut bacteria and promotes the production of heart-healthy SCFAs. They also have magnesium and potassium, essential minerals that benefit heart function.
- Eat fermented foods: Fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi are rich in probiotics, or beneficial bacteria that can help restore balance to the gut microbiome.
- Limit processed foods and red meat: A diet high in processed foods, sugars, and red meat can exacerbate dysbiosis and contribute to inflammation and TMAO production.
- Consider supplements: All-natural supplements like delPROTM and del-IMMUNE V®, which use the power of probiotics and metabiotics, respectively, are simple, science-backed ways to balance your gut microbiome.
- Take care of your stress levels: Since the gut-brain axis is involved in regulating stress, practicing stress management techniques like meditation, yoga, and regular physical activity can help maintain both gut and heart health.
Though your gut microbiome and cardiovascular health may seem unrelated, there’s a growing body of scientific evidence connecting the two. That’s why it’s crucial to implement a proper diet and lifestyle to be your healthiest self. Thanks to the gut-heart axis, taking care of your gut health gets you a two-for-one deal!
