Probiotic Blend May Help Lower Triglyceride Levels

Hypertriglyceridemia (high triglyceride levels) is considered to be a risk factor for developing coronary artery disease. A recent study suggests that supplementation with the probiotic strains Lactobacillus curvatus HY7601 and L. plantarum KY1032 may help lower triglyceride levels in people with borderline to moderate hypertriglyceridemia.

Participants in the study included 92 people with hypertriglyceridemia. Over the course of 12 weeks, they were given either 2 grams of probiotic powder containing five billion colony-forming units of L. curvatus HY7601 and five billion colony-forming units of L. plantarum KY1032 or a placebo.

At the conclusion of the study, the researchers noted a 20% reduction in triglyceride levels and a 25% increase in apolipoprotein A-V levels (a triglyceride modulator) in the probiotic group. They also noted a significant reduction in 11 plasma metabolites in the supplement group when compared with the placebo.

Researchers from Yonsei University in Seoul conducted the study. It was published on May 27, 2015, in Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases.

While probiotics are most commonly associated with improving digestion and gut health, they have also been shown to have other health benefits, including strengthening the immune system and reducing the risk of chronic disease.

Probiotics can be found naturally in many foods, such as yogurt, milk and sauerkraut. You may also consider taking a high quality supplement but make sure it is packaged to block light, air and moisture, which can easily kill probiotics.