Cardiovascular benefits of probiotics: a review of experimental and clinical studies (original) (raw)

* Corresponding authors

a Department of Human Nutritional Sciences, University of Manitoba, and the Canadian Centre for Agri-Food Research in Health and Medicine, St. Boniface Hospital research Centre, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
E-mail: mmoghadasian@sbrc.ca
Fax: +1-204-237-4018
Tel: +1-204-478-1685

Abstract

The microbiota inhabiting the human gastro-intestinal tract is reported to have a significant impact on the health of an individual. Recent findings suggest that the microbial imbalance of the gut may play a role in pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Therefore, several studies have delved into the aspect of altering gut microbiota with probiotics as an approach to prevent and/or treat CVD. The World Health Organization defines probiotics as live microorganisms that, when consumed in adequate amounts, have a positive influence on the individual's health. The present review focuses on strategies of human dietary intervention with probiotic strains and their impact on cardiovascular risk factors like hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, obesity and type-2 diabetes. Accumulating evidence shows probiotics to lower low density lipoproteins (LDL)-cholesterol and improve the LDL/high density lipoproteins (HDL) ratio, as well as lower blood pressure, inflammatory mediators, blood glucose levels and body mass index. Thus, probiotics have the scope to be developed as dietary supplements with potential cardiovascular health benefits. However, there is not only ambiguity regarding the exact strains and dosages of the probiotics that will bring about positive health effects, but also factors like immunity and genetics of the individual that might influence the efficacy of probiotics. Therefore, further studies are required not only to understand the mechanisms by which probiotics may beneficially affect the cardiovascular system, but also to rule out any of their probable negative effects on health. The present review aims to critically appraise the complexity of the available data with regard to the cardiovascular benefits of probiotics.

Graphical abstract: Cardiovascular benefits of probiotics: a review of experimental and clinical studies

This article is part of the themed collection:Probiotics, Prebiotics and Gut Health

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Article information

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1039/C5FO01190F

Article type

Review Article

Submitted

01 Oct 2015

Accepted

01 Jan 2016

First published

04 Jan 2016

Download Citation

Food Funct., 2016,7, 632-642

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