Recent Studies on the Changing Gut Microbiome in Aging

Today's research materials are a selection of recent studies on the gut microbiome and its relationship to the aging process. The scientific community has in recent years uncovered a great deal of new information regarding the way in which the gut microbiome both influences health and exhibits detrimental changes with age. Some of the microbes of the digestive tract are responsible for the generation of beneficial metabolites such as butyrate, indoles, and propionate. Unfortunately these populations decline in number with advancing age, and this negatively impacts tissue function throughout the body. Additionally, harmful inflammatory species increase in number. This contributes to the state of chronic inflammation that characterizes old age and accelerates the progression of all of the common age-related conditions. The causes of age-related shifts in these microbial populations are not well understood, particular recently discovered changes that take place in earlier life. There is evidence for dietary changes to be involved, as well as the decline of the immune system's ability to suppress harmful microbes, and the loss of integrity of intestinal barrier tissue. Which of these are more significant or less significant is an open question, however. It is also an open question as to how great an influence this has on long-term health and longevity; it wouldn't be surprising to find it in the same ballpark as that of exercise. This is an age-related change that i...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Medicine, Biotech, Research Source Type: blogs