Is Your Gut Bacteria the Hidden Culprit Behind Heart Disease?

A recent study linked gut bacteria to heart health by analyzing data from 8,973 Swedish participants aged 50 to 65 in the SCAPIS study. Using DNA sequencing and advanced cardiac imaging, researchers identified bacterial communities and early arterial changes.

“We found significant associations, particularly with Streptococcus anginosus and S. oralis subsp. oralis,” said lead author Sergi Sayols-Baixeras of Uppsala University. These oral bacteria, when present in the gut, correlated with more atherosclerotic plaques in heart arteries. “These species often cause infections in the body, but we need to confirm if they actively contribute to atherosclerosis,” added study coordinator Professor Tove Fall.

Gut-Mouth Connection: Bacteria Levels Linked to Inflammation and Heart Health

The researchers found that certain gut bacteria levels correlated with their presence in the mouth, based on fecal and saliva samples from the Malmö Offspring Studies. These bacteria were also linked to blood inflammation markers, even after considering factors like diet and medication.

“We are just starting to understand how bacterial communities interact with the human body,” said Marju Orho-Melander, Professor at Lund University. “Our findings indicate that gut Streptococcus carriers have worse cardiovascular health, but more research is needed to determine their role in atherosclerosis.”

Read Original Article: Scitechdaily

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