
Gender, gut bacteria, and heart disease
“Scientists know the gut microbiome plays an important role in cardiovascular disease risk, and new research suggests sexual dimorphism here too.” We know that males and females are different. Scientists call it “sexual dimorphism,” where sexes within a species differ significantly—from their behaviour to the way their organs work. This is true of the gut too. Your gut microbiome is the DNA belonging to trillions of bacteria in your bowel. Scientists know the gut microbiome plays an important role in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, and new research from the journal Biology of Sex Differences/ITC suggests sexual dimorphism here too. Let’s look at sex differences in CVD by considering the gut microbiome and how it influences the three primary CVD risk factors: sugar and fat metabolism, blood pressure, and body weight. Sugar metabolism Type 2 diabetes is a major CVD risk factor where the body is less sensitive (i.e. resistant) to