Scientists discovered a new type of bacteria called Paracoccus sp. PS1 that could help protect your heart and reduce diabetes risk. This bacteria has a special ability to break down harmful substances your gut creates from the food you eat—specifically three toxic compounds linked to heart disease. Researchers tested this bacteria in lab conditions that mimic your actual gut and found it survived well, resisted stomach acid, and had other healthy properties. If further testing in humans confirms these results, this bacteria could become a new probiotic supplement to help prevent serious diseases.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a newly discovered bacteria strain could work as a probiotic to reduce harmful substances in the gut that are linked to heart disease and diabetes
  • Who participated: This was laboratory research testing bacteria in controlled conditions that mimic the human gut environment. No human participants were involved in this study.
  • Key finding: The Paracoccus sp. PS1 bacteria survived and thrived in gut-like conditions and showed the ability to break down three harmful compounds (TMA, TMAO, and methylglyoxal) that are connected to heart disease and diabetes risk
  • What it means for you: This is early-stage research showing promise, but it’s not yet ready for use. Human studies would be needed before this bacteria could become a supplement. If future research confirms these findings, it might offer a new way to reduce heart disease and diabetes risk through probiotics.

The Research Details

This was a laboratory study where scientists isolated a new bacteria strain and tested its properties in controlled conditions. They examined whether the bacteria could survive in environments that mimic different parts of the human digestive system—including low-oxygen areas and acidic conditions like stomach acid. The researchers also analyzed the bacteria’s genetic code to identify which genes give it its beneficial properties.

The study tested multiple characteristics that make a bacteria suitable as a probiotic, including its ability to tolerate bile (digestive fluid), survive stomach enzymes, stick to gut walls, and resist damage from free radicals (harmful molecules). This comprehensive testing approach helps determine if a bacteria has real potential before moving to human trials.

Because this is laboratory research, the bacteria was tested in dishes and controlled environments rather than in actual human bodies. This is an important first step in the discovery process, but it’s not the same as proving the bacteria works in real people.

This research matters because it identifies a bacteria with a unique ability—breaking down three specific harmful compounds that scientists have linked to heart disease and diabetes. Most probiotics don’t have this specific capability. By testing the bacteria’s survival in gut-like conditions first, researchers can be more confident that it would actually work if given to people. The genetic analysis also provides scientific evidence for why this bacteria might be beneficial.

Strengths: This is the first study to identify this particular bacteria with these specific abilities, and the researchers used multiple testing methods to verify their findings. They also analyzed the bacteria’s genes to understand how it works. Limitations: This is laboratory research only—no human testing has been done yet. The study doesn’t tell us if the bacteria would actually work in real people or what the right dose would be. More research is needed before any health claims can be made.

What the Results Show

The Paracoccus sp. PS1 bacteria successfully survived and grew in laboratory conditions designed to mimic the human gut, including both low-oxygen and very-low-oxygen environments. This is important because the human colon is a low-oxygen environment, so bacteria need to survive there to be useful as a probiotic.

Most importantly, this bacteria showed the ability to break down three harmful compounds: TMA (trimethylamine), TMAO (trimethylamine N-oxide), and methylglyoxal. These compounds are created when your gut bacteria process certain foods, and high levels of these substances have been linked to increased risk of heart disease and diabetes in previous research.

The bacteria also demonstrated other probiotic features that suggest it could be safe and effective. It tolerated bile and stomach acid, could stick to simulated gut surfaces, showed antioxidant properties (meaning it can fight harmful free radicals), and didn’t show signs of being harmful to humans based on genetic analysis.

Beyond its main ability to break down harmful compounds, the bacteria showed several other beneficial properties. It could resist lysozyme (an enzyme in tears and saliva that kills bacteria), tolerate acidic conditions, survive pepsin (a stomach enzyme), and stick to surfaces through hydrophobicity (water-repelling properties). The bacteria also showed the ability to clump together and stick to other bacteria, which may help it establish itself in the gut. Genetic analysis revealed specific genes responsible for these protective and beneficial properties, providing molecular evidence for the bacteria’s potential.

This is the first study to identify a bacteria from the Paracoccus genus with the ability to break down all three of these harmful compounds (TMA, TMAO, and methylglyoxal). Previous research has shown that these compounds are important risk factors for heart disease and diabetes, making this discovery potentially significant. Other probiotics exist, but most don’t have this specific triple-degrading ability, which makes this strain potentially unique.

This study has several important limitations. First, it’s entirely laboratory-based—the bacteria was tested in dishes and controlled environments, not in actual human bodies. Second, we don’t know what dose would be needed or how well it would work in real people. Third, the study doesn’t tell us how long the bacteria would survive in the human gut or whether it would actually reduce disease risk. Fourth, there’s no information about potential side effects in humans. Finally, the bacteria’s long-term safety hasn’t been tested. Much more research, including human clinical trials, would be needed before this could become a medical treatment.

The Bottom Line

At this stage, this bacteria cannot be recommended for use because human studies haven’t been done. This is promising early-stage research that suggests the bacteria is worth studying further in human trials. If you’re interested in reducing heart disease and diabetes risk, current evidence-based approaches include eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing stress. Talk to your doctor about what’s right for you.

This research is most relevant to people interested in heart disease and diabetes prevention, researchers studying probiotics and gut health, and people with risk factors for these diseases. However, since this is not yet human-tested, it’s not appropriate for anyone to use as a treatment yet. People with compromised immune systems should be especially cautious about new probiotics and should consult their doctor.

This is very early-stage research. If human trials begin soon, it would typically take 3-5 years or more before results are available. Even if human trials show promise, regulatory approval and commercial availability could take several more years. Don’t expect this bacteria to be available as a supplement in the near future.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Once human research confirms this bacteria’s effectiveness, users could track their intake of foods that produce these harmful compounds (like red meat, eggs, and dairy) and monitor any probiotic supplementation alongside markers like energy levels and digestive health.
  • In the future, if this probiotic becomes available, users could set reminders to take it daily and track their consumption alongside dietary changes aimed at reducing TMA-producing foods. The app could provide education about which foods are high in compounds that create these harmful metabolites.
  • A long-term tracking approach would involve monitoring digestive health, energy levels, and any available biomarker tests (like blood work measuring TMAO levels) over months to assess any potential benefits. Users could also track dietary patterns to correlate food choices with any health changes.

This research is laboratory-based and has not been tested in humans. The findings are preliminary and should not be used to make health decisions. This bacteria is not currently available as a supplement or treatment. Anyone interested in reducing heart disease or diabetes risk should consult with their healthcare provider about evidence-based approaches. Do not self-treat with experimental probiotics without medical supervision. This article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.