Can Help Keep Your Heart Healthy

Probiotics may aid in the health of your heart by decreasing LDL ("bad") cholesterol and blood pressure. Certain lactic acid-producing bacteria may lower cholesterol in the stomach by breaking down bile. Bile, a naturally occurring fluid composed primarily of cholesterol, aids digestion. Probiotics can prevent bile from being reabsorbed in the intestine and entering the bloodstream as cholesterol by breaking it down. A meta-analysis of five research indicated that eating a probiotic yogurt for two to eight weeks lowered total cholesterol by 4% and LDL cholesterol by 5%.

Another 6-month trial revealed no changes in total or LDL cholesterol. The researchers did discover a slight rise in HDL ("good") cholesterol. Probiotics may also help to reduce blood pressure. A meta-analysis of nine research indicated that probiotic supplements lower blood pressure, albeit only marginally. To experience any blood pressure advantages, supplementation has to last at least 8 weeks and include 10 million colony-forming units (CFUs) each day.