A new study using two friendly flora strains, Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus plantarum, discovered that they can communicate to intestinal cells involved with the absorption of cholesterol and thereby influence genes to reduce cholesterol absorption.

In most healthy people the amount of cholesterol absorbed from the diet is of no real importance, as their liver will simply make what they don’t consume to satisfy daily needs. In overweight people who have elevated cholesterol, the liver trys to synthesize cholesterol to export fat out to prevent it from becoming too fatty, and unable to function. The absorption of dietary cholesterol now takes on some importance, as the extra dietary cholesterol can both overwhelm and even suppress this defense mechanism.

The new study demonstrates that friendly flora supplements can help prevent the absorption of dietary cholesterol. This would work quite well with higher fiber intake, which assists in cholesterol clearance from the digestive tract. While these are not the only issues affecting cholesterol status in someone who has high cholesterol, they are often a significant part of the problem.

Numerous other studies show that friendly flora can actually help improve overall metabolism in your body. This newest study is simply one more angle of metabolic assistance.