A new study found that gut bacteria may affect the levels of blood lipids, thus influencing weight loss outcomes, blood cholesterol status and risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Previous studies have suggested that gut bacteria play a role in the occurrence of heart conditions as the relationship of the host and microbe may control the mechanisms of the immune and metabolic systems. However, there has been no proof established regarding the link between microbiota and metabolic factors for CVD based on large human population studies. Specifically, a significant relationship between CVD and abnormal levels of blood lipids lacks evidence.

The researchers from the University Medical Center Groningen, Netherlands wanted to determine the type of bacteria found in the intestines that come in proportions which may be correlated with the lipid amounts and body mass index (BMI). They also wanted to identify if the differences in lipids can be demonstrated by the microbiota related to gender, age and genetic makeup of the host.

The researchers utilized an emergent deep sequencing system to analyze the relationship between gut bacteria and the amounts of lipids in the blood. They collated data from 893 individuals from the LifeLines-DEEP population group. The scientists also adjusted the age and gender of the participants.

The findings of the study, published in the journal Circulation Research of the American Heart Association, showed that there are about 34 types of bacteria associated with BMI and blood lipids, particularly the fatty acids and good cholesterol. The scientists were also able to discover that the bacteria had insignificant impact to the levels of bad cholesterol.

The study brings new proof that gut bacteria are heavily related to the levels of good cholesterol and triglycerides and thus may be referred to as an additional risk factor for aberrant blood lipids, alongside BMI, gender, genetics and age, said Jingyuan Fu, PhD, study lead author and associate professor of genetics at Groningen.

The findings of the research are relevant because they may provide an initial focus for new treatments that aims to avoid CVD. The way the gut flora is made up may be influenced by food to a degree that it is able to maintain normal weight, fat levels and cholesterol to prevent heart conditions. More research is warranted to confirm the relationship between food and CVD.

Photo: Tony Alter | Flickr