For the article, the sections have been merged and consolidated, with one subheading retained for organizational purposes:
Harvard and MIT scientists have recently announced a groundbreaking discovery that could significantly impact cardiac health worldwide. Researchers have identified bacteria in the gut that break down cholesterol, potentially lowering blood cholesterol levels and improving overall heart health.
Relationship between Gut Bacteria and Cholesterol Metabolism
This latest research builds upon previous knowledge regarding the relationship between gut bacteria and cholesterol metabolism. In 2020, a study revealed a group of gut bacteria capable of breaking down cholesterol into coprostanol, a compound that is excreted rather than absorbed by the body. Those individuals with the IsmA gene in their microbiome—which produces enzymes that metabolize cholesterol—excreted up to 75% less cholesterol in their feces and had lower blood cholesterol levels.