Connecting My Gut and My Heart ❤️
Updated: Jul 25
What is the gastrointestinal (GI) tract or system?
The gastrointestinal (GI) tract does many things. It transports food, converts food into energy and nutrients, helps eliminate waste, and allows us to live. It is now known that the GI tract or GI system involves many components of immunity, emotional stress, chronic illness, and even cancer.
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Private Healthcare Navigation and Patient Advocacy when YOU need it mostWhat is the microbiome?
The bacteria and microorganisms that comprise the stomach and small intestines are called the microbiome. It is the "gut bacteria," in simpler terms. We can refer to it also as "gut health."
How are my gut and heart connected?
Emerging details of this complex connection regarding gut and heart health are becoming more apparent. Why has red meat long been associated with higher heart disease risk? Read on.
In addition to the above, the gut microbiome makes vitamins and protects against disease-causing microorganisms. Recent studies from the Cleveland Clinic demonstrated that the gut microbiome directly affects the function of blood platelets.
What are platelets?
Platelets are cells that circulate in the blood and clot to keep us from bleeding. Platelets also directly influence one's risk for heart attack and stroke.
What is the connection?
The gut bacteria break down certain nutrients. The broken-down nutrients create compounds that are further converted in the liver to end products. Let me explain.
Nutrients such as (1) choline (found in red meat, egg yolks, and dairy products) and (2) L-carnitine (found in red meat, some energy drinks, and supplements) are broken down by gut bacteria to trimethylamine (TMA). Then TMA in the liver is converted into the compound trimethylene N-oxide (TMAO).
What is TMAO?
High levels of TMAO lead to a higher risk for clot-related events. These life-threatening clot-related events, for example, are heart attacks and strokes, a leading cause of morbidity and mortality.
High levels of TMAO lead to a higher risk for heart attacks and strokes
Furthermore, they showed higher premature death rates in patients with stable coronary artery disease and a four-fold more significant risk of dying from any cause over the following five years.
What is the meaning of TMAO?
Positive altering of your gut microbiome can help reduce blood vessel damage, leading to a more robust cardiovascular system. This also opens research for potential new heart disease therapies.
What foods can cause a high TMAO level?
Red meat
Egg yolks
Dairy products
Energy drinks and supplements
Is there testing for TMAO now?
In 2015, the Cleveland HeartLab introduced the first TMAO lab-developed test to help clinicians identify TMAO blood levels in patients. In 2017, Quest Diagnostics acquired Cleveland HeartLab.
How can I lower my TMAO levels?
Minimize the consumption of:
Full-fat dairy products (whole milk, egg yolk, cream cheese, and butter)
Processed and unprocessed red meat (beef, pork, lamb, and veal)
Nutritional supplements and energy drinks containing choline, phosphatidylcholine (lecithin), and L-carnitine
Vegetarians and vegans, who avoid meat products, for instance, produce little TMAO
What can I eat for lower TMAO levels?
Eat a diverse diet rich in plant foods and whole-grain fiber. Compounds are being studied that minimize TMAO production from their gut microbiome. Some of these compounds are found naturally in Mediterranean diet foods (such as red wine and extra virgin olive oil).
Personally
I eat a high-fiber, mostly plant-based 🌱 diet, no red meat, drink 4 liters of water a day, exercise, and am focused on keeping nutrition simple. I am sharing what works for me and what I routinely recommend to my patients.
"Balance. Portion control. Keep nutrition simple. Eat Smart. Eat Healthy. 🌱 🌾 🌿"
Gut Health ➕ Patient Advocacy with Navigation ➕ Life Balance
If you were looking for information about Private Healthcare Navigation and Patient Advocacy from Executive Health NavigationClick here for Executive Health Navigation✴ Connect with Dr. Dooreck on LinkedIn, where he focuses his sharing on Health, Diet, Nutrition, Exercise, Lifestyle, and Balance.
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