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Wednesday 27 April 2016

Bacteria pill is 'better than statins' in the war on cholesterol, say researchers

Trials of the new treatment showed cholesterol falling 37% in patients who were suffering from harmfully high levels in their system, The New Day reports

A new cholesterol-fighting “good bacteria” pill could be as effective as statins in unclogging arteries – but without any of the nasty side effects.

The first trial of the new daily pill, which is made of hundreds of millions of freeze-dried bacteria, showed average cholesterol levels fell by 37% in participants who had high levels of harmful cholesterol.

Doctor Stephen O’Hara, chief executive of Optibiotix, the company which developed the new treatment, said the success rate was comparable to that of statins – although more trials will be needed to confirm the results.

Dr O’Hara said: “We are really pleased with the results of this study, which opens up opportunities for a single product for both conditions [high cholesterol and highblood pressure] or for two different products targeting separate conditions.

“This product could be used by itself or in combination with other treatments, such as statins, to provide the same efficacy at a lower dose, with potentially fewer side effects.”

he new pill could help reduce our reliance on statins. Between five and 10 million people currently take statins in the UK to reduce their levels of bad cholesterol and control heart disease, but side effects include headaches, nosebleeds and joint pain.

The new treatment is made of a strain of the bacteria Lactobacillus plantarum, a microbe commonly found in fermented food products such as sauerkraut and pickles.

The trial involved 50 volunteers taking a pill a day for three months. The bacterium used creates an enzyme that chops up the chains of fatty compounds in bile, meaning far fewer get into the bloodstream as cholesterol.

Optibiotix is currently developing a range of treatments for diseases including diabetes, high cholesterol and obesity, based on changing the amount and type of bacteria in the human gut.

http://www.mirror.co.uk

Graham

7 comments:

Linda said...

Wow! Who would have thought this a few years ago?

Passthecream said...

Oh goody, lower cholesterol. More people will drop dead prematurely.

L Plantarum, isn't that the bug which makes yoghurt go slimy?

Gail said...

This would be amazing to have. I have horrible side effects with the statins.

Jan, the water lilies are in my water garden. I used an old bathtub and the water falls into the pond below.

Thanks for visiting. Have a very blessed week.

Margaret D said...

Let's hope all goes well for those that have to take that new pill.

Francisco Manuel Carrajola Oliveira said...

Desconhecia este novo tratamento para o colesterol.
Um abraço e continuação de uma boa semana.

Lowcarb team member said...

Translation for Francisco's comment:

"Unaware of this new treatment for cholesterol.
A hug and continuation of a good week."

Thank you for your comment Francisco,
hope your week continues well to.

All the best Jan

Debbie said...

i have been told that i could eat cardboard and i would still have high cholesterol. i am on a statin, no side effects, but still this would be good news!!!