Disclosed are compositions and methods useful for improving blood cholesterol profiles in a mammal, particularly for improving metabolism of cholesterol, for reducing the levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the blood, increasing the levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) in the blood, for improving weight loss in a mammal, and/or for enhancing overall cardiovascular health in a mammal. Methods can involve identifying a mammal in need of lowering of blood LDL-C and/or triglyceride concentrations, and administering to said mammal a specific formulation consisting of a blend of probiotics； specifically, Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus paracasei, in combination with a blend of digestive enzymes； specifically, amylase, glucoamylase, lipase, bromelain, maltase, lactase, hemicellulase, xylanase, papain, and invertase. Preferably, the aforementioned probiotics and digestive enzymes are combined into capsules and administered to said mammal three times daily to achieve said lowering of LDL-C and triglyceride concentrations in blood.
