The Gut’s Role In Cardiovascular Disease | Part 2

Introduction

The body’s microbiome is a host of trillions of microorganisms that help form an ecosystem that interacts with the entire body system. Each of the systems inside the body like the musculoskeletal system, the gut system, the central nervous system, and the endocrine system each play a role in order for the body to function properly. When there are unwanted pathogens that start attacking each system, it can cause lots of problems to the body and over time can develop into chronic illnesses. In this 2 part series, we will be taking a look at how different organisms are associated with cardiovascular diseases and how to improve the gut’s microbiome health. Part 1 took a look at the body’s microbiome and how it plays a role in cardiovascular disease. By referring patients to qualified and skilled providers who specialized in cardiovascular services. To that end, and when appropriate, we advise our patients to refer to our associated medical providers based on their examination. We find that education is the key to asking valuable questions to our providers. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

Can my insurance cover it? Yes, in case you are uncertain here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.

The Gut Microbiome & Cardiovascular Disease

Since the gut is known to create a symbiotic relationship with its host, chronic illnesses can affect it and cause unwanted problems to not only the gut but also the entire body. Studies have found that when the gut goes through deleterious changes that cause an imbalance to the gut microbiota, it can impair the homeostatic mechanisms and activate multiple pathways that can trigger cardiovascular disease risk factors. Another study also found that when the gut microbiome is affected it can also cause bacterial translocation to be associated with the development of cardiac disorders that makes them potential triggers to the gut microbiome.

Organisms Associated With Cardiovascular Disease

Some of the organisms that are in the body can be associated with cardiovascular disease. Studies show that when these organisms are associated with cardiovascular diseases, they can cause impaired intestinal barrier function and the presence of bacterial products that they carry can be in the systemic circulation and heightened inflammatory state in the gut while also affecting the cardiovascular system. Some of the organisms include:

• Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)
• Occludin
• Zonulin
• Leaky Gut
• Metabolic Endotoxemia

Lipopolysaccharide

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are large molecules found in gram‐negative bacteria. They are endotoxins, and if absorbed can elicit a strong immune response. The detection of antibodies against LPS reveals macromolecule‐sized endotoxin infiltration through the intestinal barrier into the systemic circulation.
Intestinal permeability can cause systemic inflammation through translocation of LPS. Studies have found that lipopolysaccharides may be involved in the process of atherothrombosis process since it is an interesting molecule that once it crosses the gut microbiota and enters the systemic circulation it will cause chronic inflammation and atherosclerosis, which is a cardiovascular disease.

Occludin

Occludin is part of the main component of proteins holding together the tight junctions. Research shows that intercellular tight junctions help regulate the counter interactions of occludin and provide highly polarized barriers for homeostatic maintenance. The detection of antibodies to occludin indicates that the tight junctions are breaking down.  Studies have found that occludin can help the tight junction with regulated maintenance but when chronic symptoms like oxidative stress are causing problems to occludin, it can cause damage to the gut and the intestinal barrier membrane.

Zonulin

Zonulin is a protein that regulates the permeability of the intestine and the detection of antibodies against zonulin indicates that the normal regulation of tight junctions is compromised. Research has found that zonulin expression is augmented in autoimmune conditions that are associated with tight junction dysfunction including celiac disease and cardiovascular disease. There are clues to the presence of an ongoing mechanism involved in damaging the intestinal barrier. Studies have also found that zonulin can possibly cause low-grade inflammation and degenerative disorders like coronary heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

Leaky Gut

When the intestinal permeability is compromised with chronic illnesses that make holes in the intestinal walls, that is known as leaky gut. Research states that a leaky gut is caused when bad bacteria begin to cut holes and food particles and toxins start to leak out into the bloodstream. When that happens, the immune system will see these as pathogens and start to attack them causing irritation and inflammation. Leaky gut can even cause many chronic symptoms to the body that the bad bacteria outweighs the good bacteria and other symptoms that leaky gut can cause include:

• Inflammatory Bowel disease
• Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
• Celiac disease
• Protozoal infections
• Toxic Exposure
• Food allergy
• Chronic Alcoholism
• Diarrhea
• Strenuous exercise
• Increasing age
• Nutritional Depletions

Metabolic Endotoxemia

Metabolic endotoxemia is considered an important factor that is in developing many chronic illnesses that a person is dealing with. Research shows that when there are structural changes in the intestinal epithelium it can allow LPS into the bloodstream. LPS is common to trigger insulin resistance, obesity, diabetes, and endotoxemia increased during the fed and decreased during fasted state. This means that LPS concentration 2‐3X threshold defines metabolic endotoxemia which can dysregulate the inflammatory tone and trigger the body. Other factors that metabolic endotoxemia can do to the body are:

• Increased weight gain
• Increased markers of inflammation
• Increased triglyceride production by the liver
• Increase insulin resistance

By lowering plasma LPS concentration, it could be a potent strategy for the control of metabolic diseases and the body can start to feel better.

How To Improve Gut Microbiome Health

There are many ways to help improve gut microbiome health. One of the ways that an individual can help improve their gut is by eating soluble fibers. Soluble fibers are found in oats, beans, apples, and citrus fruits that are digested by enzymes into short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). SCFAs are the main metabolites that are produced by the large intestine microbiota and constitute approximately 5–10% of the energy source in healthy people. By increasing dietary fibers and prebiotics in the body can help the large intestine microbiota increase production of SCFAs. Other ways to help the gut is by:

• Increase low‐mercury fish consumption
• Increase in whole plant food
• Avoid sugar and processed foods
• Eat foods like onion, leek, garlic, and dandelion greens (prebiotics are the non-digestible oligofructose, inulin, galactooligosaccharides within these plants).
• Fiber‐enriched diets improve insulin sensitivity in lean and obese diabetic subjects

HCTP Research

HCTP therapy is a form of regenerative treatment that both international and national affiliated clinics and distribution organizations use for individuals that are dealing with chronic pain. HCTP therapy helps the body’s natural healing process by regenerating damaged cells, tissues, and organs back to their original state.

Conclusion

All in all, the heat and gut microbiomes are connected to make sure that the body is functioning properly. When there are unwanted pathogens that are attacking one or the other, it can cause chronic illnesses that can cause inflammation and heart diseases to rise up. By incorporating a healthy diet that is rich in fiber, can help lower inflammation and repair the gut microbiota. With a healthy gut, the body can begin to heal and repair itself with the necessary nutrients that it needs in order to function normally.

References

Camilleri, Michael. “Leaky Gut: Mechanisms, Measurement and Clinical Implications in Humans.” Gut, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Aug. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6790068/.

Carrera-Bastos, Pedro, et al. “Serum Zonulin and Endotoxin Levels in Exceptional Longevity versus Precocious Myocardial Infarction.” Aging and Disease, JKL International LLC, 1 Apr. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5963352/.

Cummins, Philip M. “Occludin: One Protein, Many Forms.” Molecular and Cellular Biology, American Society for Microbiology, Jan. 2012, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3255790/.

Fasano, Alessio. “Zonulin, Regulation of Tight Junctions, and Autoimmune Diseases.” Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, U.S. National Library of Medicine, July 2012, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3384703/.

Forkosh, Esther, and Yaron Ilan. “The Heart-Gut Axis: New Target for Atherosclerosis and Congestive Heart Failure Therapy.” Open Heart, BMJ Publishing Group, 23 Apr. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6519415/.

Mohammad, Shireen, and Christoph Thiemermann. “Role of Metabolic Endotoxemia in Systemic Inflammation and Potential Interventions.” Frontiers, Frontiers, 1 Jan. 2021, www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2020.594150/full.

Novakovic, Marko, et al. “Role of Gut Microbiota in Cardiovascular Diseases.” World Journal of Cardiology, Baishideng Publishing Group Inc, 26 Apr. 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7215967/.

Pastori, Daniele, et al. “Gut-Derived Serum Lipopolysaccharide Is Associated with Enhanced Risk of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Atrial Fibrillation: Effect of Adherence to Mediterranean Diet.” Journal of the American Heart Association, John Wiley and Sons Inc., 5 June 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5669181/.

Tang, W H Wilson, et al. “Gut Microbiota in Cardiovascular Health and Disease.” Circulation Research, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 31 Mar. 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5390330/.

Zhang, Li-Zi, and Sun Lei. “Changes of Junctions of Endothelial Cells in Coronary Sclerosis: A Review.” Chronic Diseases and Translational Medicine, KeAi Publishing, 8 June 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5643598/.

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