Heart disease is still the number one cause of death around the world. One of the biggest reasons is a condition called atherosclerosis. This happens when fatty substances, like cholesterol and triglycerides, build up in the walls of the arteries. Over time, these buildups, or plaques, can break open, leading to heart attacks or strokes.
One of the major causes of atherosclerosis is a condition called dyslipidemia. This means there are unhealthy levels of fats in the blood—usually too much “bad” cholesterol and triglycerides. Nearly half of all adults have this problem, which increases their risk of serious heart problems.
Right now, there are medications that help lower these blood fats and make plaques more stable so they’re less likely to cause damage. But even with medication, the plaques themselves don’t go away. That’s why scientists have been looking for better ways to not just manage—but actually reverse—plaque buildup.
Now, two new studies may have found a surprising breakthrough: manganese, a mineral your body needs in very small amounts, might help clear out artery plaques.
Manganese is usually known for helping with bone strength and supporting the enzymes that help your body function. But these new studies show that it may also have a big effect on how fats move through your blood.
Here’s how it works: cholesterol and triglycerides move around in your bloodstream by traveling inside tiny structures called lipoproteins. These lipoproteins need a transport system called COPII (coat protein complex II) to carry fats where they’re needed in the body.
Researchers found that manganese binds to the COPII system and changes how it works. If you get just the right amount of manganese, it lowers the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. Scientists describe this as a “bell-shaped” effect—too little or too much doesn’t work, but just the right amount makes a big difference.
In studies done on mice with cardiovascular disease, this optimal dose of manganese helped lower fat levels and actually clear out plaque from the arteries.
Dr. Xiao Wang, one of the lead researchers, said this finding could open a new chapter in treating and preventing heart disease. If manganese works as well in people as it does in mice, it could be a simple, natural, and low-cost way to fight one of the world’s most dangerous health problems.
But there’s still more work to be done. These studies were done in animals, and researchers now need to make sure manganese is safe and effective for humans. Too much manganese can be harmful, so figuring out the right dose will be very important.
While we wait for more studies, there are still proven ways to protect heart health. Eating a heart-healthy diet, getting regular exercise, avoiding tobacco, and managing your blood pressure and cholesterol are all key steps.
Other research also continues to explore new ways to reduce heart disease risk. Some studies suggest that certain herbal supplements may affect heart rhythm. Others say that eating eggs in moderation might help protect the heart. There’s even work being done on a heart disease drug that could also lower the risk of getting sick from COVID-19.
This new discovery about manganese adds to the growing list of possibilities for treating heart disease. If future studies confirm these results in people, it could lead to a whole new way of clearing blocked arteries—and saving lives.
If you care about heart disease, please read studies that herbal supplements could harm your heart rhythm, and how eating eggs can help reduce heart disease risk.
For more health information, please see recent studies that apple juice could benefit your heart health, and results showing yogurt may help lower the death risks in heart disease.
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