[ad_1]
TOKYO – According to new research, centenarians have unique gut bacteria that allow them to live into old age. Japanese scientists say this unique gut composition supplies bile acids that protect against disease.
The discovery could lead to yogurts and other probiotic foods that increase longevity.
“In people over 100, enrichment in a distinct set of gut microbes generates unique bile acids,” says lead author Professor Kenya Honda of Keio University in a statement released by South West News Service. “They could inhibit the growth of pathogens.”
Complex fluids are essential for ridding the body of fat and waste. They also control cholesterol.
“The community of microbes in our gut changes as we age,” adds Professor Honda.
Fighting life-shortening superbugs
In healthy individuals, the trillions of microbes that live in our intestines are becoming more and more distinctive.
“Centenarians are less susceptible to chronic diseases and age-related infections than people under 100,” says the microbiologist. “It is believed that the makeup of their gut microbiota may be associated with extreme longevity, but the mechanisms are unclear. “
In particular, they have specific strains of an organism known as Odoribacteria. It makes bile acids that work as antimicrobials against various diseases, according to the study. Experiments with mice have shown that they even destroy hospital superbugs like Clostridioides difficile and Enterococcus faecium. They can cause severe diarrhea, especially in vulnerable people taking antibiotics.
“These results suggest that specific bile acid metabolism may be involved in reducing the risk of infection – potentially contributing to the maintenance of gut health,” explains Professor Honda.
His team analyzed gut bacteria from more than 300 adults in Japan, including 160 over 100 years old, 112 between 85 and 89 years old and 47 under 55 years old.
“Compared to old and young people, centenarians are enriched with gut microbes capable of generating unique secondary bile acids through new biosynthetic pathways,” explains the professor.
Are healthy gut bacteria the “elixir of youth” of centenarians?
The study, published in the journal Nature, suggests that they hold the key to an “elixir of youth”.
“It may be possible to harness the bile acid metabolizing capabilities of the identified bacterial strains to manipulate the pool for health purposes,” Honda continues.
The finding sheds new light on why centenarians are less prone to age-related illnesses, chronic inflammation and infectious diseases. Professor Honda and his colleagues examined 68 species of bacteria from a stool sample from one of the centenarians. The results add to the growing evidence that the community of microorganisms in your womb can help predict whether you will have a long, healthy life.
The results show that it depends in part on your mother’s microbiota, your environment at birth, and your current diet and lifestyle. These organisms line your entire digestive system. Most live in your intestines and colon. They also have an impact on your metabolism and the immune system.
“It has been postulated that there are members of the gut microbiota specific to centenarians which, rather than being a mere consequence of aging, may actively contribute to resistance against pathogenic infections and other environmental stressors,” concludes Honda. “We sought to identify these beneficial bacteria in the gut microbiota of centenarians. “
South West News Service writer Mark Waghorn contributed to this report.
[ad_2]
Source link