Heartfelt Microbes: Your Gut Microbiome’s Mastery in Hypertension
Hypertension is a condition in which the force of blood against the walls of the arteries is too high, i.e. higher than 140/90 mmHg. This exerts an intense pressure on the blood vessels, which we commonly call as high blood pressure. In India, more than 1 in 4 individuals suffer from hypertension.
The gut microbiome has been studied in association with various diseases, conditions, and syndromes. And yes, people suffering from hypertension have an altered gut microbiota, something commonly referred to as gut dysbiosis.
But how does the gut microbiome possibly do this?
Besides the many wondrous functions of our gut bacteria, they are also involved in the production of important metabolites. Two significant classes of these metabolites are:
- Regulators which include Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFA), Bile Acids (BAs), and Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S). The regulators decrease blood pressure (BP) by dilating peripheral blood vessels, maintaining vascular endothelial function, improving insulin sensitivity, lowering blood lipids, reducing inflammatory response, decreasing heart rate, inhibiting the sympathetic nervous system, and protecting kidney function.
- Aggravators like Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), and lipopolysaccharides (LPS). These molecules act directly on different cellular targets of the kidney, endothelium, and the heart to prevent or contribute to the development of hypertension. The aggravators increase BP by constricting the vessels, increasing inflammatory response, damaging vascular endothelial function, and exacerbating atherosclerosis (AS).
Role of TMAO
Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) is produced from the metabolism of dietary choline and L-carnitine by intestinal microbiota, and may interfere with reverse cholesterol transport, induce platelet aggregation and thrombosis, and promote atherosclerosis. TMAO is directly or indirectly involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and is an important risk factor affecting the occurrence and even prognosis of CVDs. Dietary precursors of TMAO are abundant in animal-derived foods such as seafood, red meat (beef, pork, lamb, veal, processed meat, and ham), poultry, egg yolk, and other full-fat dietary products (whole milk, yogurt, cream cheese, and butter), wheat, soy products, potatoes, and spinach.
Role of SCFAs
SCFAs produced by intestinal microbiota on fermentation of dietary fibers can directly regulate BP by binding to their receptors. SCFAs play a local protective role in BP regulation by regulating the intestinal barrier, immune response and the sympathetic nervous system. They can also significantly activate vagal afferent neurons, which facilitate SCFAs to regulate BP. The beneficial or deleterious effects of gut microbiota on blood pressure is a consequence of several variables, including age, genetics, epigenetics, lifestyle, and intake of antibiotics. These variables may influence the ultimate level of blood pressure and control of hypertension.
Some Tips To Look After Your Heart!
- The more salt you eat, the higher your blood pressure shoots. Aim to eat less salt a day, which is about a teaspoonful.
- Consuming a low-fat diet that includes lots of fiber, such as wholegrain rice, bread, pasta, and plenty of fruit and vegetables also helps to lower the blood pressure.
- Avoid smoking, alcohol, pre-packaged or processed food, refined sugar, caffeine, and exercise regularly.
References
Gut microbiota and hypertension: association, mechanisms and treatment
The gut microbial metabolite trimethylamine N-oxide and cardiovascular diseases
Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) in human health
The dietary source of trimethylamine N-oxide and clinical outcomes: an unexpected liaison
The Role of Short-Chain Fatty Acids of Gut Microbiota Origin in Hypertension
