How do bile acid sequestrants found in collard greens help manage cholesterol levels in the cardiovascular system?
They bind to bile acids in the digestive tract, preventing reabsorption and forcing the liver to pull more cholesterol from the blood to synthesize new bile.
Collard greens offer a distinct mechanism for managing cholesterol via compounds known as bile acid sequestrants. These substances operate within the digestive tract where they form bonds with bile acids. Since these bile acids are manufactured by the liver using cholesterol, preventing their reabsorption into the bloodstream means the body must compensate by sourcing more cholesterol directly from the circulating blood to replenish the supply needed for new bile production. This sustained demand on blood cholesterol levels results in an effective lowering of overall circulating LDL, often referred to as the 'bad' cholesterol.
