Healthy Gut Bacteria Reduce Risk of Death in Heart Failure Patients

Highlights:

Heart failure patients have altered composition of gut bacteria, which increases their risk of death or the need for a heart transplant
The change in the composition of gut microbial flora is believed to be due to decreased intake of dietary fiber
Increasing the intake of dietary fiber and reducing meat consumption promotes healthier gut bacteria and improves the prognosis in patients with heart failure

Heart failure patients who eat more dietary fiber have been shown to have healthier gut microbial flora, which in turn reduces their risk for death or the need for a heart transplant, according to a recent study led by Dr Cristiane Mayerhofer, of Oslo University Hospital, Norway.

The findings of the study were presented at Heart Failure 2019, a scientific conference of the European Society of Cardiology.

Amazing Benefits of Gut Bacteria
The bacteria that live in the gut offer numerous health benefits such as synthesis of vitamin K, boosting immunity and metabolism of bile acids.

‘Heart failure patients were found to have altered composition in gut bacteria compared to healthy persons. This is believed to be due to low intake of dietary fiber and is associated with an increased risk of death or need for heart transplantation. However, increasing the intake of dietary fiber can lower the risk of death in heart failure patients.’
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Heart Failure and Altered Gut Bacteria

Microbial flora in the gut composed of trillions of organisms has the potential to affect our health more than we realize. Previous research has shown that patients with heart failure tend to have changed in the composition of their gut bacterial flora.

The current study aims to study whether reduced dietary fiber intake may result in altered gut bacterial composition and impact overall health outcome in patients with heart failure.

Test your Knowledge on Dietary Fiber and Gut Health
Dietary fiber is a type of indigestible carbohydrate that is present in plant foods. It is also known as bulk or roughage. Unlike other nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals, fibers are not broken down or absorbed by the body. It passes through the stomach and the large intestine undigested and expelled out. The two major types of dietary fiber include soluble fiber and insoluble fiber.

Effect of Reduced Dietary Fiber in Heart Failure Outcome

The study team enlisted 84 patients with chronic heart failure on treatment and 266 healthy people
The composition of gut microbes between the two groups was determined by sequencing the bacterial 16S rRNA gene in their stool samples
The study team observed that heart failure patients had significantly lesser biodiversity in their intestinal bacteria than healthy controls, with marked differences in the two main phyla of bacteria normally occurring in the human gut
Heart failure patients had a lower ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) compared to healthy persons, especially marked when heart failure was not caused by ischemic heart disease
Also, patients who died of heart failure or needed heart transplant had reduced biodiversity of gut flora and a lower F/B ratio than healthy controls
It was shown that increased bacterial diversity and higher F/B ratio had a direct association with increased dietary fiber intake
Increased intake of meat was associated with increased levels of trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) in heart failure patients
High TMAO levels are associated with an increased risk of adverse heart events, and gut bacteria are involved in its formation

The findings of the study suggest for the first time that increasing the intake of fiber content in the diet by including cereals, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables and reducing the consumption of meat is associated with healthier gut bacteria and a better outcome in heart failure patients.

"Our findings suggest that the altered microbiota composition found in patients with chronic heart failure might be connected to low fiber intake," said Dr Mayerhofer. "If these findings are confirmed in future studies, my advice will be to choose foods high in fiber such as cereals, fruits and vegetables to stimulate a healthy gut flora."

Red Meat Role in Gut Bacteria Heart Disease Development revealed
Red meat rich diet as the primary protein source significantly increases circulating TMAO levels, compared to diets with white meat or non-meat as protein sources, found study.

About Gut Bacteria In Brief

In the last few years, research has focused on human microbial flora, especially gut bacteria. An important reason for this is the realization that these microorganisms are not just bystanders in the host, but may actually impact several host functions as well.

There are approximately 160 bacterial species in the gut of any individual and the composition is host specific and is very different in unrelated persons. Loss of diversity in gut bacteria can affect host health adversely.

Substances that promote the growth of good gut bacteria include the following:

Prebiotics (a nutrient that favors the growth of good gut bacteria and prevents the growth of harmful bacteria)
Probiotics (oral preparation containing live bacteria that replenishes the loss of good gut bacteria following antibiotic treatment or severe diarrheal diseases) and
Polyphenols (plant derivatives that favor the growth of good gut bacteria such as bifidobacteria and lactobacilli)

Altered gut microbial flora has been implicated in obesity, colorectal cancer, liver disease and inflammatory bowel disease.

Connection between Fiber Rich Diet and Heart Health Found
Gut bacteria- Roseburia can metabolize fiber present in the diet and improve heart health, finds a new study. This bacterium tends to produce butyrate which helps in reducing atherosclerosis risk.

Ongoing Studies on Gut Flora Effects On Heart Failure By The Team

The team is currently conducting the GutHeart trial, a randomized control study to observe the effect of a probiotic and antibiotic on gut microbial flora, heart function, and inflammatory changes in the heart in patients with heart failure.

The study aims to look at the effects of altering gut bacteria by administering probiotic and antibiotic in patients with heart failure in the clinical setting.

Summary

Consumption of increased dietary fiber by heart failure patients promotes the growth of healthy gut bacteria and reduces the risk of death or need for a heart transplant.

Reference:

Design of the GutHeart—targeting gut microbiota to treat heart failure—trial: a Phase II, randomized clinical trial - (http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ehf2.12332)

Source-Medindia