Role of Synbiotics in Cardiovascular Diseases

Although recommendations for the use of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics are often based on short observations and small clinical trials, recent research shows that these nutrients may be vital in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD). In this chapter, we’ll take a look at the research linking probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics with heart disease. Despite the recent explosion in research on probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics – much of which has focused on the effect probiotics have on CVD – their mechanisms remain poorly understood. There is evidence that probiotics may reduce cholesterol levels and provide protection against CVD via increasing bile salt production and bile acid deconjugation. While studies have demonstrated that synbiotics and prebiotics both have beneficial benefits, probiotics also seem to possess anti-inflammatory, antiplatelet, and antioxidative properties. Probiotics have been demonstrated to be beneficial not only in experimental animals and in vitro, but also in humans, where their treatment reduces the Risk of CVD. Further experimental study is needed before probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics already on the market may be used to treat or prevent cardiovascular disease. Well-designed clinical studies are especially important for determining the effect of probiotics on TMAO, which is regarded to be an indication of CVDs, and for determining the long-term effects and activity of synbiotic, prebiotic, and probiotic diets in combination with pharmaceutical treatment (for example, aspirin). It’s not easy to tell whether or not these supplements aid in the treatment and prevention of CVDs, but it’s important to stress that no adverse effects have been discovered in clinical studies so far.