Gut Bacteria

A possible new front in the campaign to lower Cholesterol levels

With help from the NIH, researchers have discovered a potential new approach to combating high cholesterol and reducing the risk of heart disease, one of the leading causes of death globally.

A study published in the one of our go-to-for-good-news outlets, the journal Cell, has found the some specific species of gut bacteria can metabolize and break down cholesterol. That’s right, in our own bodies. There’s probably a “gut instinct” joke, but I’m not going to go there.

OK. Now a little trip back in time.

First to 1992. The lamentable Sean Connery movie, Medicine Man, picked up on the lovely idea that the cure to cancer could be found in nature. This kinda makes sense, right? Trees and plants have been evolving, and solving problems, for billions of years. Surely somewhere in that diversity of development are miracle drugs.

Anyway, the movie stunk and had some cringe-worthy lines:

Then we go even further backin 1984, Cholesterol a thing back then. It was even on the cover of Time. High cholesterol is a major risk factor for all sorts of BAD stuff. Heart disease, caused by cholesterol buildup, can lead to heart attacks and strokes. Elevated cholesterol levels have also been linked to an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's disease.

Now, our intestines are home to trillions of microscopic organisms called the gut microbiome. These include bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microbes. These microbes help us digest food, produce vitamins, regulate our immune system and even communicate with our brain. Recent research, like this study, depicts how specific types of gut bacteria can be harnessed to solve health problems.

The idea of finding solutions to things like cancer in nature has long been with us. But this is real, it’s not a movie and it’s quite promising. Finding solutions to health problems within our own body is both ironic and inspiring.

It’s also quite good.

More on the research after the paywall.