Your heart is the muscular organ responsible for dispersing blood throughout your body.  Since it plays such a vital role in your life function, it is crucial to always focus on the present status of your heart’s health. At the Integrative Cardiology Center of Long Island, our specialists educate our patients on the importance of natural remedies for heart health! The consumption of probiotics is just one example of these natural remedies that we will be highlighting today. But what are probiotics, and how do they promote heart health? Our team of cardiologists has the answers you are looking for.

What Are Probiotics?    

Probiotics are bacteria that are actually considered to be good/healthy for your body to consume. The consumption of these bacteria may be used as one of the many natural remedies for heart health. They can also be particularly useful in keeping your digestive system fit. Many varieties of bacteria make up probiotics, but most fall into two specific groups:

  • Lactobacillus: This is the most common probiotic and is often found in yogurt and other fermented foods.
  • Bifidobacterium: These bacteria are typically found in dairy products.

Lowering Your Cholesterol:

A large number of studies have indicated that probiotics are effective in lowering your cholesterol. The ability to lower your cholesterol through probiotics is executed through several different methods. Probiotics can bind with cholesterol in your intestines to stop it from being absorbed. They also can produce bile acids which aid in the metabolization of fat and cholesterol in the body. If there is too much cholesterol in your bloodstream, a resulting complication could be the clogging of your arteries. Artery clogging is a form of heart disease known as atherosclerosis. The clogs in your arteries caused by cholesterol can lead to chest pain or even potentially serious conditions such as a heart attack. By ingesting probiotics, you can help eliminate the likelihood of suffering from these ailments.

Reducing Your Blood Pressure:

Having high blood pressure can cause your arteries to narrow and your heart to thicken and enlarge. Both of these occurrences make it difficult for the heart to pump blood to all parts of the body. By consuming probiotics, you can manage your blood pressure and keep it in a healthy range, promoting fluent blood flow.

Managing Inflammation:

One final benefit probiotics can have on your heart health is that they can help reduce inflammation. Inflammation usually occurs when your body is trying to fight an infection or heal a wound. However, inflammation can also develop as a result of other external factors such as smoking or a poor diet. 

Chronic inflammation can lead to the irritation of your blood vessels. This issue can also promote plaque growth or loosen plaque that is already in your arteries, causing a heart attack. Though sometimes overlooked when thinking about heart health, managing chronic inflammation is a pivotal part of avoiding heart disease.

Integrative Cardiology Center of Long Island:

When looking for the prevention and treatment of heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions, sometimes natural remedies for heart health are the primary option. By monitoring your intake of probiotics, you’ll be able to reap the many benefits these bacteria can bring for your overall wellness. Our cardiologists at the Integrative Cardiology Center of Long Island can help teach you about all the benefits probiotics can offer, as well as inform you of the additional services for diagnosis and treatment we provide. If you are serious about your heart health, book your appointment with our team today!