New findings suggest that elevated levels of inflammatory bacteria are associated with accelerated aging and poor fitness performance.
The human gut is a complex ecosystem, home to trillions of microorganisms that play an important role in maintaining our health.
A recent study published in the Journal of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience found that the microbial diversity in our gut not only impacts our physical fitness, but it can also impact how quickly we age. Did.
The findings by the Hungarian University of Sport Sciences team open up new possibilities for harnessing the power of probiotics to promote health and longevity, said the study’s first author, Professor Zold Radak.
Ladakh and his team in Budapest investigated the relationship between gut microbiota diversity, biological age (age determined by general health rather than lifespan), and physical fitness in 80 amateur rowers.
For study purposes, each participant underwent a battery of fitness assessments and provided a stool sample to analyze gut bacteria and a blood sample to determine biological age using epigenetic markers. did.
Epigenetic markers are like DNA switches that can control whether certain genes are turned on or off, in determining how a cell develops, functions and responds to its environment. play an important role.
The quality of our cells can be affected by factors such as lifestyle, diet and exposure to environmental factors, which can ultimately affect our health and aging.
Epigenetic markers allow scientists to measure this cellular decline, giving us a snapshot of our ‘epigenetic clock’ or ‘biological age’.
unexpected result
“We now know that inflammatory bacteria actually accelerate the aging process, so more inflammatory bacteria means more aging,” Ladakh told Euronews Next. Accelerated aging “means you’re older than your actual age,” he added.
Similarly, when analyzing specific bacteria present in the gut microbiome of rowers, the researchers found that higher levels of anti-inflammatory bacteria correlated with improved fitness metrics and slower aging. I found
Conversely, the presence of inflammatory bacteria was associated with lower fitness test performance.
The athletes, aged between 38 and 84, were competing in the 2019 World Rowing Masters Regatta, an international rowing competition designed specifically for masters rowing athletes.
An important relationship between the gut and aging
The findings suggest an important link between gut bacteria, inflammation, fitness and the aging process, challenging the common assumption that more bacteria simply means better health. says Mr Ladakh.
However, the study did not identify cause and effect. It’s entirely possible that athletes’ supposedly healthy dietary choices have a positive impact on the abundance of beneficial bacteria in their gut.
However, “these bacteria are not associated with chronological aging. I think this is a very interesting observation, because it means that these bacteria are indeed involved in DNA methylation senescence.” Masu” [epigenetic ageing], [and are hence] not the result of [chronological] It’s aging,” Ladakh said.
In other words, the presence of large amounts of inflammatory bacteria is associated with accelerated aging.
“I think these findings are important because we need to identify the relationship first. And of course, if we can confirm that, the next step is to fix it.” [treat] such richness [of inflammatory bacteria] And it will change the gut microbiome, possibly slowing aging and allowing for a healthier life,” he said.
Radak’s team is now conducting a six-month follow-up study using probiotics to alter the gut microbiome of rowers and assess whether this intervention directly affects biological age. ing.
The results of the survey are expected to be published in early 2024.
Meanwhile, they are also working on another study of 60 Olympic champions aged 25 to 102, aimed at investigating the effects of early high levels of physical activity on the aging process. and
Ladakh told Euronews Next that preliminary results already show that the epigenetic age of elite athletes is younger than their chronological age.