Gut Bacteria and Heart Disease: Best Probiotics for Gut Health
Probiotics are live microbes that provide great health benefits. Some evidence suggests that certain types can reduce cholesterol, blood pressure, and inflammation. Visit The Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine (COEM) to get comprehensive and specialized care. For more information, contact us today or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 7510 North Forest Drive North Charleston, SC 29420.


Table of Contents:
How is gut bacteria linked to heart health?
How a healthy gut combats heart disease
Why are probiotics good for heart patients?
Signs you need probiotics
Health benefits of probiotics
Best probiotics for gut health
If you have high cholesterol or blood pressure, taking probiotics can also be useful when combined with alternative medicines, diet, and other healthy lifestyle changes.
Did you know that atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) is considered one of the leading causes of heart disease and is directly linked to unhealthy gut bacteria? Atherosclerosis puts you at a higher risk of heart disease than diabetes, smoking, obesity, and high cholesterol levels.
Most people are skeptical when they realize their gut bacteria and heart health are connected. You may know that every human being carries various microbes inside their stomach, including viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms.
However, microbes are not just organisms that absorb nutrients; they also add warmth to your body. Your gut bacteria is undoubtedly linked to your heart health.
Research has found that some of the following cardiac conditions can be directly linked to your gut microbiome:
• Artery Hardening
• Coronary Artery Disease
• Heart Attack and Stroke
Try these easy ways to improve your gut health for better digestion, increased metabolism, and decreased inflammation:
• Eat more whole grains, nuts, veggies, beans, and fresh fruits
• Eat fermented foods, dark chocolate, and foods with polyphenols
• Limit artificial sweeteners
• Reduce stress and get enough sleep (at least 8 hours)
• Avoid taking antibiotics when you don’t need to
• Exercise regularly
Probiotics help lower your cholesterol levels, including triglycerides, and blood pressure. However, keep in mind that not all probiotics are the same, and when eaten, they can cause different reactions in your body.
Your gut has both good and harmful microbes, and when the bad ones outnumber the good ones, your immune system will suffer. You may experience loss of energy, poor skin, and may get sick often. If you deal with those issues you should take probiotics. Also, consider taking them if you are:
• Taking antibiotics
• Suffering from food poisoning
• Having mood issues or an upset stomach
• Suffering from recurring yeast infections
There are many health benefits when consuming probiotics. Some of them are:
• Probiotics boost health when eaten in specific amounts. There are various types of probiotics, and you can obtain them from either certain foods or supplements
• Probiotics may be efficient against multiple digestive problems, such as IBS and Antibiotic-associated Diarrhea
• Even though more research is needed, some studies suggest that probiotics can effectively aid in weight loss
• Additionally, specific gut bacteria called Psychobiotics help treat cognitive and neurological disorders like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease
For the best results, opt for probiotic products with at least one billion colonies. They should have the genus Bifid bacterium, Saccharomyces boulardii, or Lactobacillus. Remember that each genus of bacteria includes numerous strains that give different results.
Probiotic-rich foods include yogurt, Kefir (a yogurt-like beverage), Kombucha (fermented black tea), Sauerkraut (refrigerated, not shelf-stable), Kimchi, Tempeh, and Miso. These foods release healthy bacteria.
If you are looking for the best cardiovascular health and heart disease treatment, talk to our experts at the Center For Occupational & Environmental Medicine (COEM) for the top probiotics for gut health. Call Us to schedule an appointment today! We serve patients from Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, Summerville, North Charleston SC, Ladson SC, Hanahan SC, James Island SC, John’s Island SC, Daniel Island SC, all of South Carolina, Nationally, and Internationally. Patients routinely fly into Charleston to be evaluated by COEM and to enjoy this beautiful city which is a Condé Nast and Travel and Leisure Top Domestic and International Tourist Destination.