Perhaps one of the most unpleasant news that can be heard is “you have high cholesterol”
It immediately becomes clear what health problems may follow next: high blood pressure, unstable heart function, the development of atherosclerosis, an increase in the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Depending on the degree of risk, different methods of lowering cholesterol are used:
- giving up bad habits;
- physical therapy;
- weight loss;
- special diets;
- medical treatment.
Of the medications, the most common way to combat excess cholesterol is the use of statins. However, they can have a lot of side effects: pain and muscle cramps, fatigue increasing every day, etc.
What to do? How to lower cholesterol without side effects
Probiotics are a new word for lowering cholesterol levels
Recently, the number of people who are looking for natural and safe solutions to problems with the cardiovascular system has been growing. The most natural way to normalize cholesterol levels is taking probiotics. Among more than 550 different strains, 3 have been identified by clinical studies (CECT7527, CECT7528, CECT7529). They belong to the species Lactobacillus plantarum and have a positive effect on lipid reduction. The results of the study have become revolutionary! It has been proven that the strains have a unique ability to remove bile acids, which are synthesized by the liver from cholesterol. They break down bile salts, preventing their reabsorption and increasing excretion. Due to this process, the liver is forced to start working again and use the available cholesterol reserves to form new bile acids, which leads to a decrease in the level of total cholesterol and LDL (low-density lipoproteins) in the blood plasma. In addition, bacteria synthesize short-chain fatty acids, which in turn can cause a decrease in the level of lipids in the systemic bloodstream. Lactobacillus plantarum is also able to capture cholesterol in the intestine, contributing to its excretion.
In addition, probiotic organisms are able to reduce triglyceride levels, which statins do not do. This happens due to the fact that the split salts of bile acids can also turn into secondary bile acids, which activate receptors in various tissues, increasing energy consumption, and hence the level of triglycerides.
Probiotics and statins
It has been clinically proven that Lactobacillus plantarum increases the effectiveness of statins, reduces their dosage and minimizes the risk of side effects, as well as helps to reduce cholesterol in people with statin intolerance.