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. 2020 Mar 30;8(4):490.
doi: 10.3390/microorganisms8040490.

The Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis Heart Shunt Part I: The French Paradox, Heart Disease and the Microbiota

Mark Obrenovich  1   2   3   4   5 , Bushra Siddiqui  6 , Benjamin McCloskey  3 , V Prakash Reddy  7
Affiliations

The Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis Heart Shunt Part I: The French Paradox, Heart Disease and the Microbiota

Mark Obrenovich et al. Microorganisms. .

Abstract

It has been well established that a vegetarian and polyphenol-rich diet, including fruits, vegetables, teas, juices, wine, indigestible fiber and whole grains, provide health-promoting phytochemicals and phytonutrients that are beneficial for the heart and brain. What is not well-characterized is the affect these foods have when co-metabolized within our dynamic gut and its colonizing flora. The concept of a heart shunt within the microbiota-gut-brain axis underscores the close association between brain and heart health and the so-called "French paradox" offers clues for understanding neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular diseases. Moreover, oxidation-redox reactions and redox properties of so-called brain and heart-protective foods are underappreciated as to their enhanced or deleterious mechanisms of action. Focusing on prodromal stages, and common mechanisms underlying heart, cerebrovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, we may unmask and understanding the means to better treat these related diseases.

Keywords: Alzheimer; Celiac disease; French paradox; HMG-Co A; TMANO; TMAO; Trimethyl-Amine-N-Oxide; blood brain barrier; cerebrovascular; co-metabolism; heart brain shunt; leaky gut; microbiota-gut-brain axis; polyphenol; red wine; redox; vascular dementia.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The major polyphenolic compounds in red wine, including flavonoids, flavones, flavanols and anthocyanidins.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Betaine (trimethylglycine).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Choline.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Overview of the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis-Heart Shunt with emphasis on stress, and the French paradox, where gut-derived microbial toxins and liver-derived toxin transformation contribute to heart disease and dysbiosis to mental disease. Whereas the same systems when functioning optimally produce beneficial SCFAs, neurotransmitters and hormones. The bidirectional pathway for toxin and psychoactive substance production affect both the brain and the heart. Conversely, gut derived hormones, peptides, small molecules and neurotransmitters have a useful role in health and in both prevention of heart and brain diseases.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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