Heart disease is still the number one cause of death around the world. Millions of people die each year from heart attacks and strokes. One of the main reasons for these deadly events is a condition called atherosclerosis.
This happens when fatty material slowly builds up inside the walls of arteries. Over time these fatty deposits, often called plaques, make the arteries narrow and stiff. This makes it harder for blood to flow normally through the body.
The real danger comes when a plaque suddenly breaks open. When this happens, a blood clot can form and block the artery completely. If the blocked artery supplies the heart, it can cause a heart attack.
If it supplies the brain, it can cause a stroke. Because of this, scientists around the world are searching for better ways to stop plaque buildup and protect people from heart disease.
One of the biggest risk factors for atherosclerosis is dyslipidemia. This condition means that there are unhealthy levels of fats in the blood. These fats include cholesterol and triglycerides.
Cholesterol is a waxy substance that the body needs in small amounts, but too much of it can be harmful. When cholesterol levels become too high, especially the type often called “bad cholesterol,” it can stick to artery walls and help form plaques.
Dyslipidemia is extremely common. Health experts estimate that nearly half of adults have unhealthy blood fat levels. This greatly increases the risk of heart disease over time. Doctors often prescribe medications to lower cholesterol and triglycerides.
These drugs can help slow the growth of plaques and reduce the chance that they will rupture. However, most current treatments cannot completely remove plaques that have already formed in the arteries.
Because of this limitation, researchers are eager to find new ways to actually reverse plaque buildup rather than just slow it down. Two new scientific studies may have discovered an unexpected possibility. The studies suggest that a simple mineral called manganese might help lower harmful fats in the blood and even reduce plaque buildup in arteries.
Manganese is a trace mineral. This means the body only needs it in very small amounts. It plays an important role in many biological processes. For example, manganese helps enzymes work properly and supports healthy bone development. It is naturally found in foods such as nuts, whole grains, leafy vegetables, and tea.
Scientists did not previously expect manganese to have a major effect on cholesterol and artery health. However, the new research suggests it may influence how fats move through the body.
Fats such as cholesterol and triglycerides cannot travel through the bloodstream on their own. Instead, they are carried by tiny particles called lipoproteins. These particles act like transport vehicles that move fats to different parts of the body. For lipoproteins to do their job, they rely on a cellular transport system known as coat protein complex II, often called COPII.
The researchers discovered that manganese can bind to this COPII system. When manganese interacts with this system, it changes how fats are packaged and transported inside cells. This change leads to an interesting effect on blood fat levels.
The scientists observed what they describe as a “bell-shaped” response. In simple terms, this means that the effects of manganese depend on the dose. When the amount is just right, manganese can significantly lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. When this happens, fewer harmful fats circulate in the blood.
In experiments using mice with cardiovascular disease, the researchers found something even more remarkable. When manganese levels were increased in the animals’ diet, the amount of plaque in their arteries decreased. In other words, the mineral appeared to help clear fatty buildup from the arteries.
Dr. Xiao Wang, one of the leading researchers involved in the work, said the findings are exciting because they reveal a completely new way to control blood fat levels. Instead of only blocking cholesterol production, manganese appears to influence how fats move through the body.
Even though the results are promising, scientists emphasize that much more research is needed. The current studies were conducted in animals, and the same effects must be carefully tested in humans before manganese could be used as a medical treatment. Researchers also need to determine the safest and most effective dosage.
Still, the discovery opens an interesting new direction in the fight against heart disease. If future studies confirm that manganese can safely reduce blood fat levels and help clear plaques in humans, it could become a simple and affordable way to help protect heart health.
Until more research is completed, doctors continue to recommend well-known strategies for keeping the heart healthy. These include eating a balanced diet, staying physically active, avoiding smoking, and managing cholesterol levels with medical guidance when necessary.
Heart disease remains a huge global challenge, but discoveries like this show that scientists are still uncovering new ideas that could lead to better treatments in the future.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about top 10 foods for a healthy heart, and how to eat right for heart rhythm disorders.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how to eat your way to cleaner arteries, and salt and heart health: does less really mean more?
The findings were published in the scientific journal Life Metabolism.
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