Methods for Reducing Cholesteron Using Bacillus Coagulans Spores, Systems and Compositions

Abstract

The invention describes therapeutic compositions including a lactic acid-producing bacteria, such as isolated Bacillus coagulans, in combination with a cholesterol-reducing agent for use in reducing LDL cholesterol and serum triglycerides. Also described are therapeutic methods using the compositions and systems containing the therapeutic compositions.

1 - 76 . (canceled) 
     
     
         77 . A therapeutic composition for reducing serum cholesterol and serum triglycerides, and increasing serum HDL comprising an effective amount of a viable lactic acid-producing bacteria and an effective amount of a bifidogenic oligosaccharide, wherein said lactic acid-producing bacteria are  Bacillus coagulans  bacteria. 
     
     
         78 . The composition of  claim 77 , wherein said lactic acid-producing bacteria comprise  Bacillus coagulans  Hammer bacteria. 
     
     
         79 . The composition of  claim 78 , wherein a daily dose of said composition comprises at least one billion  Bacillus coagulans  Hammer bacteria. 
     
     
         80 . The composition of  claim 77 , wherein said composition contains 10 5  to 10 10  viable bacteria per gram of composition. 
     
     
         81 . The composition of  claim 77 , further comprising a cholesterol-reducing agent other than a lactic acid-producing bacterium. 
     
     
         82 . The composition of  claim 81 , wherein said cholesterol-reducing agent is selected from the group consisting of a statin, a bile sequestering compound, niacin, and aspirin. 
     
     
         83 . The composition of  claim 77 , wherein said bifidogenic oligosaccharide is selected from the group consisting of fructo-oligosaccharide, gluco-oligosaccharide, and trisaccharide raffinose. 
     
     
         84 . The composition of  claim 83 , wherein said fructo-oligosaccharide comprises polymers of fructose and glucose having a polymer chain length of from about 4 to 100 sugar units. 
     
     
         85 . The composition of  claim 77 , wherein said composition comprises about 10 milligrams to about 1 gram of bifidogenic oligosaccharide per gram of composition. 
     
     
         86 . The composition of  claim 85 , wherein said composition comprises from 100 to 500 milligrams of bifidogenic oligosaccharide per gram of composition. 
     
     
         87 . The composition of  claim 82 , wherein said statin is selected from the group consisting of cerivastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin and simvastatin. 
     
     
         88 . The composition of  claim 82 , wherein said composition comprises 1 to 80 milligrams of statin per gram of composition. 
     
     
         89 . The composition of  claim 82 , wherein said bile sequestering compound is selected from the group consisting of colestipol and cholestyramine. 
     
     
         90 . The composition of  claim 82 , wherein said composition comprises 0.1 to 0.8 grams of bile sequestering compound per gram of composition. 
     
     
         91 . The composition of  claim 77 , wherein said composition comprises 10 milligrams to 0.5 grams of fibrin per gram of composition. 
     
     
         92 . The composition of  claim 77 , wherein said composition further comprises a cholic acid complexation agent. 
     
     
         93 . The composition of  claim 92 , wherein said complexation agent is selected from the group consisting of a metal salt of calcium, chromium, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, sodium and zinc. 
     
     
         94 . The composition of  claim 93 , wherein said metal salt is provided in the form of calcium citrate, potassium gluconate, magnesium citrate or chromium picollinate. 
     
     
         95 . The composition of  claim 77 , wherein said composition further comprises a food substance, flavoring, vitamin or mineral. 
     
     
         96 . The composition of  claim 82 , wherein said cholesterol-reducing agent is an HMG CoA reductase inhibitor.