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Can Probiotics Lengthen Our Lifespan?


12/16/22
 

The human intestinal microbiome is diverse, with 30 percent of species being found in most people (1).

Evidence suggests that the gut’s bacterial population lies at the core of many age-associated changes, including immune system dysregulation and susceptibility to diseases. Diseases including diabetes, obesity, liver disease, cancer, and cardiovascular disease are all accompanied by changes in the intestinal flora. Empirical evidence associates the gut microbiome, with extended lifespan. Studies are also showing that probiotic formulations can extend the lifespan of model organisms(2, 8). It is known that probiotic supplementation can increase health-span in patients with particular health conditions. Different microbial patterns are also observed in healthy vs less healthy individuals (1). As we age, there is a pattern in the level of diversity, and the quantity of bacteria in our intestines (3, 6, 7). From middle age to late adulthood, significant shifts in intestinal bacteria occur, with less overall bacteria being present, and with more diversity among them. A study including 9000 participants highlighted the more diverse microbiome found in older subjects which could be due to diet complexity or other physiological changes. (1).

Regarding cognition, at least 3 studies have discovered a positive association between Verrucomicrobia and Firmicutes species, and improved memory, processing speed, executive function and attention, while showing a negative association between these cognitive functions and Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes (3). Animal models have also linked the gut’s microbiome with memory (4).

Studies have found Protobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria, Akkermansia, Bifidobacterium, Christensenellaceae and Akkermansiato have increased concentrations in longer living animal and human subjects, with some studies showing lower levels of Ruminococceae, Lachnospiraceae, Bacteroidaceae, Protobacteria.

More studies are needed in order to prove cause-and-effect in humans, but probiotic food such as yogurt, pickles, some forms of cheese, kambucha, kefir, and others can be incorporated into your diet. We advise you to consult with your doctor before beginning probiotics.

Resources:

1. https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/unique-gut-microbiome-patterns-linked-healthy-aging-increased-longevity

2. Bárcena, C., Valdés-Mas, R., Mayoral, P. et al. Healthspan and lifespan extension by fecal microbiota transplantation into progeroid mice. Nat Med 25, 1234–1242 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-019-0504-5. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-019-0504-5

3. Badal VD, Vaccariello ED, Murray ER, Yu KE, Knight R, Jeste DV, Nguyen TT. The Gut Microbiome, Aging, and Longevity: A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2020 Dec 7;12(12):3759. doi: 10.3390/nu12123759. PMID: 33297486; PMCID: PMC7762384. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7762384/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3883706/

4. https://longevity.technology/news/new-probiotic-that-promotes-longevity-and-healthy-aging-discovered/

5. Badal VD, Vaccariello ED, Murray ER, Yu KE, Knight R, Jeste DV, Nguyen TT. The Gut Microbiome, Aging, and Longevity: A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2020 Dec 7;12(12):3759. doi: 10.3390/nu12123759. PMID: 33297486; PMCID: PMC7762384. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33297486/

6. Badal VD, Vaccariello ED, Murray ER, Yu KE, Knight R, Jeste DV, Nguyen TT. The Gut Microbiome, Aging, and Longevity: A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2020 Dec 7;12(12):3759. doi: 10.3390/nu12123759. PMID: 33297486; PMCID: PMC7762384. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33297486/

7. Coman V, Vodnar DC. Gut microbiota and old age: Modulating factors and interventions for healthy longevity. Exp Gerontol. 2020 Nov;141:111095. doi: 10.1016/j.exger.2020.111095. Epub 2020 Sep 23. PMID: 32979504; PMCID: PMC7510636. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7510636/

8. https://biomprobiotics.com/2nd-generation-microbiome-optimized-probiotics-the-key-to-longevity/

9. Rampelli S, Candela M, Turroni S, Biagi E, Collino S, Franceschi C, O'Toole PW, Brigidi P. Functional metagenomic profiling of intestinal microbiome in extreme ageing. Aging (Albany NY). 2013 Dec;5(12):902-12. doi: 10.18632/aging.100623. PMID: 24334635; PMCID: PMC3883706. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3883706/.

By: Evan Redmond, Pharm.D.



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