Consumption of Probiotics May Decrease Total and LDL Cholesterol

Summary: A diet rich in probiotics may decrease total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, researchers found, in this meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effects of probiotics consumption on blood lipids. Researchers reviewed studies that investigated the efficacy of probiotics on the plasma lipid profile of subjects, and included data from 13 trials, included 485 participants with high, borderline high and normal cholesterol levels. Cases were examined for mean net change in total cholesterol for those treated with probiotics compared to controls: -6.40 mg dl-1, mean net change in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol was -4.90 mg dl-1, mean net change in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was -0.11 mg dl-1, and mean net change in triglycerides was -3.95 mg dl-1. Results indicate that a diet rich in probiotics decreases total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol concentration in plasma of participants with high, borderline high and normal cholesterol levels.

Reference:  "Influence of consumption of probiotics on the plasma lipid profile: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials," Guo Z, Chen W, et al, Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis, 2011 Sep 17 [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, PR China. E-mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  ). 

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