How Our Gut Affects Our Ability to Age Successfully

The secret to successful and healthy aging may lie, in part, in our gut. It may be possible to predict our likelihood of living a long and healthy life by analyzing the trillions of bacteria, viruses and fungi that inhabit our intestinal tract.

In several recent studies into human health and aging, the importance of the gut microbiome on human wellness and longevity has been demonstrated. Gut microbiomes are microorganisms including the bacteria, viruses and fungi that live in the digestive tracts of humans that become increasingly unique to the individual with age. Healthy gut microbiomes are characterized by a decrease in the most common types of microbiomes such as Bacteroides and a shift towards individualized microbiomes in mid-to-later adulthood, consistent with healthy aging.

A recent study, “Gut Microbiome Pattern Reflects Healthy Ageing and Predicts Survival in Humans,” investigated the effects of healthy aging and survival in three independent research populations each with over 9,000 participants, where participants provided stool samples for 16S rRNA gene sequencing of their gut microbiomes. Analysis of the samples provided by the participants revealed that those with higher levels of Bacteroides in the gut and less varied microbiomes had an increased risk of mortality. This study concluded that individuals demonstrating healthy aging continue to develop differentiated gut microbiomes through later adulthood. Unique gut microbiomes are reflective of a healthy individual, whereas individuals with less diverse gut microbiomes are found to have worse health overall. A four-year follow-up study confirmed that those with less distinct gut microbiomes showed declines in health when compared to patients with more individualized gut microbiomes.

The beginning signs of immunological aging in adults are witnessed around 40 years of age; this is consistent with beginning signs of diversity within the gut microbiome. A divergent gut microbiome pattern is reflective of healthy longevity due to normal shifts in gut metabolic capacity with age. Research showed that the risk of mortality decreased in patients with more unique microbiomes.

Increasingly individualized gut microbiomes are associated with normal functioning immune systems that aid in the body’s defenses in fighting disease. Individuals with lower levels of cholesterol, higher levels of vitamin D, and lower triglycerides have healthier, more unique microbiomes.

Retention of Bacteroides in the gut and less diverse, unhealthy gut microbiomes are reflective of declining health. High cholesterol and high body mass index (BMI) are amongst the indicators of obesity. Obesity is strongly associated with the leading causes of death in America, including various types of cancers, such as liver, uterine, and thyroid cancer. Therefore, it is crucial for those with compromised immune systems to adjust their lifestyle and dietary habits to help strengthen their digestive system in order to build up their suppressed immune systems.

ELDERMET, the most extensive data based on studies on gut microbiomes to date, revealed that individuals age 65 and older, with less healthy gut microbiomes, were reported to have higher concentrations of core types of Bacteroides, Alistipes, and Parabacteroides, in comparison with healthier individuals.

Bacteroides are more common in developed countries where people eat a lot of processed foods full of fat, sugar and salt, and less prevalent in developing countries where people tend to eat a higher-fiber diet. When fiber is not available, Bacteroides depletes the protective mucus layer that lines the gut and triggers an immune system response leading to chronic inflammation associated with diseases of unhealthy aging such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and arthritis.

The gut microbiome also releases their proteins into the individual’s blood. The plasma analysis of 653 proteins revealed that certain proteins phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan were significantly associated with unique healthy gut microbiomes and phenylacetylglutamine having the strongest association.

Additional blood protein indicators of healthy gut microbial patterns are indoles, bacterial degradation products of tryptophan found in the gut; specifically, indole propionate, indoxyl sulfate, indole acetate, and indole lactate. These microbial indoles have also been shown to be decreased in the plasma of obese patients. Indoxyl sulfate and indole lactate have been found to be positively associated with increased physical functions in later adulthood.

So, the secret to successful and healthy aging does lie, in part, in our gut. And it is possible to predict our likelihood of living a long and healthy life by analyzing the trillions of bacteria, viruses and fungi that inhabit our intestinal tract as well as the blood indicators of healthy gut microbial patterns.

One way to maintain our healthy gut microbiome is to include fiber from nutritious whole foods such as beans, nuts and seeds as well as fruits and vegetables and avoid processed foods.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and habits such as staying physically active which can have a beneficial effect on the gut microbiome and support the alignment of natural internal systems of our immune system is the basis of a healthy life. Our immune system regulates every aspect of our health.

Please call Dr Maharaj at 561 752 5522 to see how he and his team can help you measure and maintain your healthy immune system as well as to test and measure your gut microbiome. These are non-invasive tests that will provide a clear picture of where your gut and immune health lies, and should it reflect abnormalities, we have the resources to help correct them. We look forward to hearing from you at the Maharaj Institute in Boynton Beach, Florida at 561-752-5522 or info@bmscti.org. You can also visit our website at https://maharajinstitute.com/

Office: 10301 Hagen Ranch Rd. Suite 600, Boynton Beach FL 33437