The improvement of hypertension by probiotics: effects on cholesterol, diabetes, renin, and phytoestrogens.
Probiotics are live organisms that are primarily used to improve gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, lactose intolerance, and to inhibit the excessive proliferation of pathogenic intestinal bacteria. However, recent studies have suggested that probiotics could have beneficial effects beyond gastrointestinal health, as they were found to improve certain metabolic disorders such as hypertension. Hypertension is caused by various factors and the predominant causes include an increase in cholesterol levels, incidence of diabetes, inconsistent modulation of renin and imbalanced sexual hormones. This review discusses the antihypertensive roles of probiotics via the improvement and/or treatment of lipid profiles, modulation of insulin resistance and sensitivity, the modulation of renin levels and also the conversion of bioactive phytoestrogens as an alternative replacement of sexual hormones such as estrogen and progesterone.
School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia.
Huey-Shi
HS
Lye
School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia.
Chiu-Yin
CY
Kuan
School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia.
Joo-Ann
JA
Ewe
School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia.
Wai-Yee
WY
Fung
School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia.
Min-Tze
MT
Liong
D000818:Animals; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012083:Renin / Q000378:metabolism*
D048789:Phytoestrogens; D002784:Cholesterol; D012083:Renin