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Calcium may enhance probiotic survivability and lower cholesterol

Posted 6 months ago by Jacob in General Health News

A new study with humans has revealed that a combination of calcium phosphate and Lactobacillus paracasei LPC37 - found in For daily wellbeing EXTRA Strength - may enhance the survivability and colonisation of the probiotic in the gut, as well as reduce cholesterol levels. The study, led by Gerhard Jahreis and his Germany based researchers, observed a group of 34 men and women with moderately elevated blood cholesterol levels in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. The volunteers were split into two groups who received either; a probiotic drink containing 10 billion colony forming units (CFU's) per day of L. paracasei LPC37 for four weeks or the same probiotic formula plus an additional gram of calcium. After this, the groups had a period of two weeks without intervention followed by another two weeks receiving placebo. The two groups then swapped formulas and repeated the process.

The results showed that the combined formula of L. paracasei LPC37 and calcium was associated with a significant reduction in cholesterol levels compared to the probiotic alone and placebo. The researchers noted, "There are two possible explanations for this observation, either LPC37 and calcium phosphate act synergistically, or the cholesterol-lowering effect of LPC37 + calcium phosphate is due to the action of calcium phosphate in the human gut."

^{Reference: Trautvetter, U. et al (2011) A combination of calcium phosphate and probiotics beneficially influences intestinal lactobacilli and cholesterol metabolism in humans. Clinical Nutrition. Published online ahead of print.}