New link between gut microbiome and artery hardening discovered

[Northerner]

The level of diversity of the 'good bacteria' in our digestive systems has been found to be linked to a feature of cardiovascular disease -- hardening of the arteries -- in new research by experts at the University of Nottingham and King's College London.

The gut microbiome is under increasing scrutiny in medical research as it is known to affect many different aspects of our health, including our metabolism and auto-immune system. A lack of diversity or range of healthy bacteria in the gut has previously been linked to various health problems, including diabetes, obesity and inflammatory stomach and bowel diseases.

Now for the first time, researchers have found a link between gut bacteria and arterial stiffening which suggests that targeting the microbiome through diet, medication and probiotics may be a way to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. The British Heart Foundation and MRC-funded research has been published in the European Heart Journal.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/05/180510203730.htm

I'd recommend an excellent book about the gut, and its influence on our diet and health:
'Gut' by Giulia Enders 🙂

 

[mikeyB]

Well, of course - the gut biome is the largest organ in the body. Though with inflammatory bowel disease, it’s a bit tricky working out what the biome is when the colon is filled with blood and gunk.