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A Healthy Gut Could Prevent a Heart Attack

by Amanda Goss | July 17, 2019

Have you heard the saying ‘the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach’? Well, there may be more truth to this old cliche than you thought. A healthy gut can save your life, literally.

Healthy Gut Could Stop You From Having A Heart Attack — Photo by Pixabay from Pexels

Researchers Looking to Uncover Links Between a Healthy Gut and Heart Attack Prevention

According to a new study published in the Journal of Physiology, our gut health plays a significant role in preventing, mitigating and treating cardiovascular diseases.

According to The Scientist, the study found, “when aged mice were given a broad-spectrum antibiotic to suppress their microbiomes, their arterial function bounced back to that of much younger animals.”

In recent years there have been more studies showing the potential link between the gut microbiome and disease prevention, disease modulation as well as links with gut health and longevity.

According to The Scientist, Bacteriologist Federico Rey of Bäckhed, University of Wisconsin-Madison, is hopeful this research will help them work out which gut bugs are beneficial and “deliver protective species to people who lack them”.

However, Rey cautions this research won’t lead to a “magic solution” and ongoing dietary intervention will still be required.

Dr. Joel Kahn, a plant-based cardiologist and vegan of over 40 years, suggests the best foods to help our gut microbiome and cardiovascular health are “whole plants, ferments [such as sauerkraut], pomegranate and cranberry.”

This news comes as Google celebrates the life of pioneering heart surgeon Dr. Rene Favaloro on what would have been his 96th birthday. Favaloro is best known for his contributions to coronary artery bypass surgery.

Do you follow healthy gut habits? Comment below.