The closer scientists look at the bacteria in the gut, the clearer it becomes to our overall health, and new research links a specific type of gut midge development with a longer life. longer and healthier old age.
In a study of more than 9,000 people across three different groups, a new study has found that our gut microorganisms become more specific and personal to us as we grow older. sine, and that the number of major bacteria (such as Bacteroides) tends to decrease as well.
This pattern appears to be related to physical health and longevity as well. So people who do not have microorganisms do not change in old age, and who do not see a decrease in key bacteria, tend to be less healthy or live longer.
“This unique signature can predict patient survival in the most recent decades of life,” says biologist Tomasz Wilmanski, of the Institute for Systems Biology (ISB).
“Interestingly, this particular pattern appears to begin in mid-life – 40-50 years of age – and is associated with a blood metabolomic signature, suggesting that these microbiome changes not only determine healthy age, but may also contribute directly to health as we age. “
Interestingly, although microorganisms changed in design at an older age, the metabolic functions they performed were consistent across individuals – the researchers found some longevity-related metabolites in the intestines of humans (and various animals) who had microorganisms following pattern health.
As Wilmanski points out, the question remains as to whether these shifts in the production of midges contribute to good health or just manifest it, but it certainly deserves further investigation, the science says – and it adds some clarity to an area of research where the conclusions were not always clear.
For example, metabolites called indoles have been found that were previously associated with less inflammation in the gut of mice – and chronic inflammation is one of the known health issues that increases the risk of mortality in the elderly.
“Previous findings in research into aging with midges appear inconsistent, with some reports showing a decline in basic gut genes in centenary numbers, while others show relative stability of the microbome until aging – related health declines, “says ISB microbiologist Sean Gibbons.
“Our work, the first to introduce a thorough study of health and survival, may resolve these inconsistencies.”
Although the study as a whole covered people between the ages of 18 and 101, it was a specific group of people between the ages of 78 and 98 that allowed the researchers to take a closer look at how micro-organisms can mechanisms and mortality to be linked.
We know that it is at the beginning and end of our life when our gut bacteria mix goes through the biggest changes, and this latest study supports the idea that bacterial gut mixing an ever-changing belly in our lives is a good sign: It may be the sign of a group that is still thriving into the last years of life.
The study suggests that healthy gut midges – whatever that may be – may not look the same at different stages of life, which is a useful avenue for future study. It seems that our microorganisms can develop in different ways in older people, and some of these improvements may be healthier than others.
“This is an exciting work that we believe will have a major clinical impact on monitoring and altering the health of midges throughout a person’s life,” says bioengineer Nathan Price, of ISB.
The research was published in The metabolism of nature.