Gut microbes may foster heart disease

Helpful bacteria produce artery-hardening compound

Even the best of friends can be heartbreakers.

Friendly bacteria living in the intestines may contribute to heart disease just by helping digest dietary fats. Bacteria that break down a fat found in meat, dairy and some fish set off a chain reaction that leads to the buildup of an artery-clogging substance in the blood, say researchers from the Cleveland Clinic and their colleagues.