ProBiotix Health, a subsidiary of OptiBiotix Health, has revealed scientific evidence reportedly demonstrating its patented probiotic strain, Lactobacillus plantarum LPLDL, can significantly reduce LDL cholesterol levels - a biomarker associated with increased coronary heart disease (CHD) risk.
The placebo-controlled study, which was carried out by the University of Roehampton, was part of a six-week human intervention, aimed at investigating the effect of the strain in male and female adults with high cholesterol, aged between 30 and 65.
During the six-week, double blind study, volunteers were randomly assigned to either consume LPLDL, or a placebo, both in identical DR capsules. Each group was assessed at week three and six, with the treatment group showing statistically significant results versus the placebo by the third week.
The results of the study highlight that after taking the probiotic daily for six weeks, patients’ total cholesterol can reduce by 34.6%, their ‘bad’ low-density lipoprotein (LDL) by 28.4%, their non-HDL cholesterol by 17.6% and apolipoprotein B by 28.6%, all key CHD risk biomarkers.
Originally isolated from vegetable juice, the probiotic was discovered from a collection of more than 4,000 microbial candidates by ProBiotix. The strain was screened using the company’s OptiScreen technology platform and chosen for its ability to survive in the harsh conditions in the gut and excellent bile salt hydrolase activity.
The patented probiotic strain is also incorporated into the company’s finished consumer product range, CholBiome, alongside a growing number of brands globally.
“High LDL cholesterol is associated with one in four heart and circulatory disease deaths in the UK, according to the latest research from the British Heart Foundation. On a global scale, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) take an estimated 19 million lives each year, as reported by the British Heart Foundation,” said Dr Sofia Kolida, R&D Director at OptiBiotix. “This study demonstrates that LPLDL can be an effective means to support cardiovascular health, significantly improving multiple CHD risk biomarkers”.
Dr Adele Costabile, Senior Research Associate at the University of Roehampton, added: “Many ingredients that say they can improve heart health, often do not have sufficient scientific backing to support their claims. This latest study demonstrates the direct impact LPLDL has on multiple coronary heart disease risk biomarkers, including total cholesterol, LDL, non-HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein B.”