Gut Microbe Bacteroides uniformis Lowers Cholesterol and Heart Plaque

A new study published in Nature found that the common gut bacterium Bacteroides uniformis produces pentadecanoic acid, a molecule that significantly reduces cholesterol and arterial plaque in mice genetically prone to heart disease. This fatty acid disrupts liver cholesterol production and cleared about half of the artery-clogging plaques, suggesting gut microbes may play a key role in heart health. The research is still in early stages.

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