Heart disease is still the number one cause of death around the world. One major reason is a condition called atherosclerosis.
This happens when fatty plaques build up inside the arteries, blocking blood flow and sometimes leading to heart attacks and strokes.
A major risk factor for atherosclerosis is dyslipidemia. This means there are too many unhealthy fats, like cholesterol and triglycerides, in the blood. Nearly half of all adults have dyslipidemia, which raises their risk of heart problems.
While current medicines can lower fat levels in the blood and make plaques more stable, they can’t remove these plaques completely. But now, two new studies have found something exciting—a way to reverse plaque buildup using a mineral called manganese.
Manganese is a nutrient that the body needs in very small amounts. It helps with enzyme activity and bone health. But now, scientists have found that it might do much more. When manganese is given in larger doses—even through food—it may help lower blood fat levels and clear plaque from arteries.
This finding is surprising. Manganese seems to affect how fats move around in the blood. Fats like cholesterol and triglycerides are carried by tiny particles called lipoproteins. These lipoproteins need a system called COPII (coat protein complex II) to travel through the body.
Manganese binds to the COPII system and changes how it works. This leads to a special “bell-shaped” effect on blood fat levels. At just the right amount, manganese lowers cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. In studies with mice that had heart disease, manganese helped reduce the amount of plaque in their arteries.
Dr. Xiao Wang, one of the lead researchers, said this is a very exciting breakthrough. He believes that manganese might be a powerful new tool for preventing and treating heart disease. But he also said that more research is needed. Scientists have to make sure manganese is safe and works well in people before it can be used as a treatment.
Still, this discovery gives hope for new ways to fight heart disease. If future studies confirm the benefits, manganese could become a natural and affordable way to help people lower their blood fat levels and clear out dangerous plaque from their arteries.
Until then, people can still take steps to protect their heart. This includes eating healthy foods, staying active, and keeping cholesterol under control.
Other research also suggests that some herbal supplements might affect heart rhythm. Eating eggs in moderation may lower the risk of heart disease. Scientists are also studying new drugs to prevent heart attacks and even lower the risk of getting COVID-19.
If you care about heart health, check out tips on the best foods for a strong heart and how fruits like oranges can help fight obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
For more health tips, you can also read about a simple 7-day diabetes meal plan and why black beans are a great addition to your diet.
These new findings were published in the journal Life Metabolism.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about how eating eggs can help reduce heart disease risk, and herbal supplements could harm your heart rhythm.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how drinking milk affects risks of heart disease and cancer, and results showing strawberries could help prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
