New Drug Mimics Mediterranean Diet In Preventing Heart Disease

U.S. researchers have developed a drug that mimics the beneficial health effects of a Mediterranean diet on the activity of gut microbes and may help prevent heart disease and stroke. Cardiovascular disease has been linked to excessive consumption of nutrients (i.e., choline and carnitine) found in meat, egg yolks, and high-fat dairy products. Gut microbes convert the nutrients into compounds that speed up atherosclerosis and increase the risk of heart disease. The researchers decided to directly target gut microbes to prevent formation of the harmful compounds. They identified the compound DMB, found in cold-pressed extra virgin olive oils, balsamic vinegars, and grape seed oils. In experiments in mouse models of atherosclerosis, DMB lowered levels of the compounds and stopped arterial plaque formation without toxic effects.