DNA sequencing reveals significant decrease in gut bacterial diversity during aging

Skip to comments.

Posted on 11/18/2024 3:58:21 PM PST by ConservativeMind

A new study has revealed that gut bacteria may play a key role in aging, and that specific microbes could be targeted to promote healthy aging.

Aging is a complex, multi-factorial phenomenon with progressive decline in several physiological functions. As Singapore faces a rapidly growing aging population, researchers are seeking ways to understand the aging process and identify key lifestyle and dietary factors to encourage healthy aging.

As part of this effort, the team conducted the first large-scale study on over 200 octogenarians (people aged 80–89) in Singapore. Their investigation revealed how the gut microbiome changes with age, highlighting key microbial species associated with aging, and their potential effects on health.

Using advanced DNA sequencing, the research team discovered a significant decrease in gut bacterial diversity as individuals age. A particularly noteworthy finding was the decline of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, a crucial bacterium responsible for producing butyrate—an essential short-chain fatty acid that maintains gut health, reduces inflammation, supports gut barrier function, and facilitates gut-brain communication.

Researchers observed an increase in Alistipes and Bacteroides species, with Alistipes utilizing alternative substrates from Bacteroides to generate butyrate. This notable switch may compensate for the reduction of F. prausnitzii, enhancing the metabolic capacity of the elderly gut to produce butyrate and promoting healthier aging.

The team then turned to preclinical models of healthy aging to validate their findings from the human cohort. Despite differences in the microbes present in different host species, the researchers made a surprising discovery that they had remarkably similar functional enrichments, particularly in pathways related to butyrate production. This indicates that although the specific microbes may differ across species, the functional roles they play in fostering healthy aging may be similar.

(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...

Click here: to donate by Credit Card

Or here: to donate by PayPal

Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794

Thank you very much and God bless you.

To: Mazey; ckilmer; goodnesswins; Jane Long; BusterDog; jy8z; ProtectOurFreedom; matthew fuller; ...

2 posted on 11/18/2024 3:58:49 PM PST by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)

To: ConservativeMind

3 posted on 11/18/2024 4:15:00 PM PST by sauropod ("This is a time when people reveal themselves for who they are." James O'Keefe Ne supra crepidam)

To: ConservativeMind

4 posted on 11/18/2024 4:17:41 PM PST by Jane Long (Jesus is Lord!)

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson