The Germ Files by Jason Tetro

Author:Jason Tetro [Tetro, Jason]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-385-68578-8
Publisher: Doubleday Canada
Published: 2016-02-02T05:00:00+00:00

HEART-HELPER Cardiovascular disease is one of the most common causes of death and is usually associated with a rise in cholesterol. Our bodies need this fatty substance to keep cells intact. But we need only a small amount at any given time. Any extra is stored within the blood vessels, causing a buildup known as plaque. This accumulation can restrict blood flow and lead to a heart attack.

Getting rid of excess cholesterol can be achieved in many ways, including proper diet and exercise. There are pharmacological options as well. Some of the most common are drugs known as statins. These molecules block the formation of cholesterol so we don’t have to worry about reaching those high levels. There are several on the market, but they all have a common and unlikely ancestor: fungi.

In the wild, fungi are always in a battle against invading bacteria and yeast. To ensure victory, they produce several antimicrobial chemicals to kill any foe. Each one has a specific purpose. Antibiotics target metabolism. Antimicrobial peptides break down the external wall of the bacterium effectively killing the enemy.

Statins, on the other hand, act as a Trojan Horse. Once they enter a cell, the molecules target a range of microbial activities, forcing the cell to stall growth, and halt the formation of colonies. Eventually, the bacteria die off.

One of the mechanisms behind this statin attack prevents fat formation. Fats are needed to maintain the integrity of the microbial cell; without them, the cell is doomed.

For humans, statins are a medical miracle. Some are still based on the original structures found in nature, while others have been modified into more effective forms. Yet no matter which one is used, the outcome is always the same: cholesterol levels decrease, as do the chances for cardiovascular problems.

As for your gut microbes, they are not greatly affected by the drug. Some will die, of course, but there will not be a significant change in the number or diversity.

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