Beyond Probiotics: Recently Discovered Gut Bacteria May Save Your Heart

Researchers have examined the bacteria and other microbes that live inside us, making startling discoveries about how these tiny organisms determine whether we stay healthy or become ill.

Recently, they’ve found one microbe may help determine your heart health, how much you weigh, your susceptibility to diabetes, and how well your body fights off infection. Here’s what you need to know…

Key Takeaways

• The gut microbe Blastocystis was once thought to only cause illness, but the latest studies show that one type of Blastocystis is beneficial.
• Higher levels of “good” Blastocystis are linked to better heart health, weight management, and diabetes prevention.
• One way it works is by enhancing the health benefits of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Eating these healthy foods also increases levels of “good” Blastocystis.

What is Blastocystis?

Although much of the early research on the microbes in the human body focused on the beneficial probiotic bacteria living in the intestines as part of the microbiome, there are many other types of organisms living alongside those bacteria. These include the mycobiome of fungi, viruses, and what are called “archaea.”

Archaea, including an organism known as Blastocystis, are similar to probiotic bacteria, but their cells have different structures. They also contain a distinctive type of genetic material and produce their cellular energy differently.

For years, Blastocystis was believed to only be a destructive parasite that caused problems in the digestive tract. But now evidence is coming out that this bad guy reputation doesn’t give the complete picture of what’s going on inside us.

For instance, the way a certain strain of Blastocystis behaves in your gut plays a central role in helping you get the full health benefits from a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Without this good Blastocystis, the healthy fruits and veggies you’re munching on may not do you much good in supporting better wellness. Turns out, Blastocystis is one of those critical microbes in a large, varied ecosystem of microbes that share your meals with you. They can digest and break down the vegetable fiber that your digestive enzymes can’t take apart.

Higher Blastocystis Levels Equals Better Health

In one of the latest studies on Blastocystis, scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital in conjunction with European researchers found that in analyzing the microbial populations in 50,000 people from around the world, those that possessed the highest levels of Blastocystis in their gut generally also enjoyed the best health.

But there’s more – they also discovered that those folks who ate the most fruits and vegetables in their meals and snacks also had the highest levels of Blastocystis. And when they took a closer look at the relationship of people’s diets with their health, they uncovered strong indications that Blastocystis was an important helper in amplifying the health benefits of those healthy foods.

“Blastocystis’ effects on health and disease are controversial and likely context-dependent, but our research suggests that it may play a beneficial role in how diet impacts human health and disease,” says researcher Long H. Nguyen, M.D., MS.

In other words, some kinds of Blastocystis can make you sick, but those aren’t the ones we’re talking about today.

When referring to a Blastocystis infection, it typically means an infection caused by the protozoan parasite Blastocystis hominis. This infection can lead to gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, and sometimes more severe symptoms depending on the individual's health and immune status. It is commonly transmitted through contaminated food or water and poor hygiene practices. The “good” Blastocystis is a different strain entirely and is now considered part of the normal, healthy gut flora. These guys don’t cause disease and, as you’ll see, they can help prevent it.

Lower Blood Pressure, Lower Blood Sugar

When the researchers in the Massachusetts General Hospital research dug deeper into the health status and microbiomes of the more than 55,000 people in their study, they found that when you have higher levels of good Blastocystis in your gut, you have a better chance of having lower blood pressure, less chance of having blood sugar problems and less body fat.

In their conclusion, the scientists point out that many researchers have been focusing too much on probiotic bacteria and their health benefits, such as erasing gout,  and overlooking other little helpers like Blastocystis. They also question the way medical folks have dissed Blastocystis and say it’s time to take a closer look at the reality of what it’s really doing in our intestines. The reality is, probiotic supplements are critical, and so is choosing the right probiotic supplement for a woman's needs, but there are other microbes that might be just as important.

Our Takeaway

Our take on this is that it’s still not clear about everything that Blastocystis does in our digestive tract. This microbe helps to make healthy foods healthier on the one hand, and, at the same time, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables increases the amount of Blastocystis in your gut. Those two effects go hand in hand. By the way, eating fruits and vegetables also supports the growth of good probiotic bacteria.  This is especially true when it comes to mangoes and probiotic bacteria health. So, these are more reasons to avoid processed foods (which can help problem bacteria grow) and to stick to a diet centering on unprocessed foods. And I’m sure we’ll soon be hearing more about Blastocystis and its benefits.

Summary

Recent research reveals that the gut microbe Blastocystis, once thought to only be a harmful parasite, plays a significant role in amplifying the health benefits of a fiber-rich diet. Higher levels of Blastocystis are associated with better heart health, lower blood pressure, reduced body fat, and improved overall wellness. This challenges the nutritional focus solely on probiotics and suggests re-evaluating the diverse microbes in our gut.