Heart Health through Gut Health: Nutrition Reviews Study Shows Cholesterol-Lowering Potential Of Certain Probiotics
TORONTO, Feb. 26, 2014 /CNW/ - A study published in the January issue of Nutrition Reviews, "Effect of probiotics on biomarkers of cardiovascular disease: implications for heart-healthy diets," examined 26 clinical studies and two meta-analyses to assess the potential of probiotics in reducing LDL-cholesterol. Of the probiotics examined, L. reuteri NCIMB 30242 (Cardioviva™), was found to best meet therapeutic lifestyle change (TLC) dietary requirements by:
- Significantly reducing LDL (bad) cholesterol and total cholesterol, with robustness similar to that of existing TLC dietary options,
- Improving other coronary heart disease risk factors, such as inflammatory biomarkers, and
- Having "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) status.
Heart disease is a leading cause of death worldwide, and elevated LDL-cholesterol is a major risk factor. Most Canadian adults (92%) say they care about maintaining a healthy cholesterol level for heart health, but less than a quarter (21%) say they routinely get their cholesterol tested1.
"People know probiotics for digestive health. They don't associate them with heart health," said Doug DiRienzo, PhD and lead author of the review. "It's time to recognize their potential role as a simple and natural tool in cholesterol management."
Randomized double-blinded, placebo-controlled, multicentre trials have shown that Cardioviva™ healthy bacteria lowered total and LDL-cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic adults. In one of these clinical trials involving 127 adults with high cholesterol, those taking a supplement of L. reuteri NCIMB 30242 (Cardioviva™) twice a day had LDL levels 11.6 percent lower than those taking a placebo after nine weeks2.
"When diet and exercise are not enough, a probiotic supplement like Cardioviva can help bridge the gap," says nutrition and physiology expert Dr. Chris Mohr, RD PhD. "This could potentially change the way millions of Canadians manage their cholesterol levels, and it's proof that there is a direct link between heart health and gut health."
Cardioviva is available at major retailers across Canada at a suggested retail price of $34.95 for a one-month supply (60 capsules).
Click here for the full Nutrition Reviews paper (Nutrition Reviews, Volume 72, Issue 1, pages 18-29, January 2014.).
About Cardioviva™
Cardioviva™ is the first natural probiotic that has been clinically proven to help maintain healthy cholesterol levels in adults. Cardioviva™ healthy bacteria may help to maintain healthy cholesterol levels in two ways: by maintaining the amount of cholesterol the body produces and by maintaining the amount absorbed from food. Cardioviva™ is available at major retailers in Canada and the US. For more information, visit Cardioviva.ca.
Sources:
1 The Toluna Group cholesterol management survey, conducted among 1,123 Canadian adults aged 18+ between February 3 and February 5, 2014.
2 European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2012) 66, 1234-1241.
SOURCE: Cardioviva
Media Contact: Sherry Lawlor, LexPR Canada, 416-574-0405 or [email protected]
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