What’s the relationship between sleep apnea, hypertension, and your gut bacteria?

Plenty of people suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, however, research suggests a potential link between obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension. So, where does gut bacteria come into play? The gut microbiome has recently been linked to various health issues, such as obesity, Parkinson’s, and dementia. The gut microbiome's role in these health issues is from dysbiosis or an imbalance within the gut, allowing for more destructive bacteria to take hold. People suffering from sleep apnea experience intermittent hypoxia, which consists of low oxygen levels throughout their sleep. Obligate anaerobes thrive off low oxygen environments, which creates an excellent habitat for Firmicutes but reduces the number of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria. The dysbiosis of these bacteria causes the degradation of mucins, which are essential in keeping the gut epithelium healthy. With the mucin’s degradation, the gut lining becomes more permeable, meaning things can enter and exit it more easily. A reduction in short-chain fatty acids, from decreased Bacteroidetes, along with hypoxia, also damages the gut lining. With a more permeable gut epithelium, things can enter the blood that we wouldn’t necessarily want. This can cause an inflammatory response which has been shown to increase the risk for high blood pressure. More research on this topic is needed, but these advances can help explain the gut bacteria role in hypertension in those who experience sleep apnea. 

For more information, please visit: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/hypertension-gut-bacteria-and-sleep-apnea-is-there-a-link