Scientists from Osaka University have shown that the dietary supplement tricaprin can reverse the symptoms of coronary heart disease in some patients. The research was published in the journal European Heart Journal.
Coronary artery disease (CHD) is narrowing of the heart arteries, often leading to heart attacks and remains the leading cause of death worldwide. The main reason for the development of coronary artery disease is the deposition of cholesterol on the walls of blood vessels. However, in some patients the deposits are of a different nature and consist mainly of triglycerides. In this situation, most treatments for coronary artery disease have limited effectiveness.
The scientists reported significant reversal of signs of atherosclerosis in the blood vessels of the heart in two patients who took the dietary supplement tricaprin. It promotes the breakdown of lipids by heart muscle cells. Both had chest pain and diabetes. Tricaprin provided relief from symptoms.
As noted by the authors, regression of atherosclerosis after lipid reduction is well known. However, cases where regression occurs with atherosclerosis caused by the deposition of triglycerides in the walls of blood vessels has not been described before.