Interventions Targeting the Aging of the Gut Microbiome

Age-related changes to the microbial populations of the gut, the gut microbiome, appear important in the progression of aging. The effects on long-term health and risk of age-related conditions might be on a par with those of physical activity, and certainly overlap with those of diet. With ageing, beneficial microbes that produce metabolites (such as butyrate) that lead to better tissue function diminish in number, while harmful microbes that spur chronic inflammation grow in number. This may be due to loss of immune system competency, as the immune system gardens the gut microbiome, or it may be due to diminished intestinal barrier efficiency. Changes in diet characteristic of age may also play a role, but it is an open question as to the relative size of these and other potential contributing effects. The research and medical community may not require a complete understanding prior to taking action, as it is quite clear from animal models that fecal microbiota transplantation from young to old reverses changes in the microbiome, improves health, and extends life span. Fecal microbiota transplantation is already practiced in human medicine, for conditions in which pathological bacteria overtake the intestine - conditions more commonly found in older people. Thus there is a comparatively short path to its use as a way to reverse ordinary, harmful age-related changes in the gut microbiome, given the will and funding to forge ahead. Gut microbiota and old age: Mo...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Medicine, Biotech, Research Source Type: blogs