A groundbreaking study published in Nature Communications has revealed a significant link between gut bacteria and aging, offering new hope for promoting healthier aging. Researchers from the Agency for Science, Technology and Research Genome Institute of Singapore (A*STAR GIS) conducted the first large-scale study on over 200 octogenarians (people aged 80-89) in Singapore.
The study found that as individuals age, their gut bacterial diversity decreases, which can lead to negative health effects. Notably, a decline in Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, a crucial bacterium responsible for producing butyrate, was observed. However, the researchers discovered an increase in other species of bacteria that help maintain gut health.
These changes had significant impacts on inflammation, blood sugar, and vitamin levels, suggesting that gut bacteria may play a key role in aging. The study also identified specific bacteria that correlated with key health markers, such as fasting blood glucose levels and serum Vitamin B12 levels.
The researchers believe that harnessing these bacterial shifts could lead to therapeutic formulations aimed at enhancing health in aging populations. They plan to further investigate the identified microbial strains and their metabolic pathways using preclinical testing.
According to Aarthi Ravikrishnan, the lead scientist of the study, “Our research offers key insights into the unique aspects of the gut microbiome and the metabolic shifts associated with aging.” The study opens exciting new avenues for exploring the biology of aging and developing targeted probiotic and prebiotic therapies to enable healthy aging through gut microbiome modulation.
Source: https://neurosciencenews.com/gut-bacteria-aging-microbiome-27993