Homeopathic pharmacist Jamar Tejada talks about the relationship between microorganisms colonizing the gut microbiota and healthy aging
The role of the intestinal microbiota, or intestinal flora, as you used to hear it, is linked to innumerable processes that not only fuel the functioning of intestinal transit – as many believe – but also directly influence our aging.
There is a very complex interaction between the microorganisms that colonize our intestinal microbiota, mainly bacteria. To date, what is known is that these bacteria play a vital role in several biological processes, including the digestion of complex foods, the synthesis and absorption of nutrients, hormones or bioactive compounds, the protection against the proliferation of pathogens and regulating immune system responses in the body.
It is clear that, to be healthy, there must be a balance in the microbiota. When there are changes in their quantity, as well as in their diversity, there is a disruption in this homeostasis, which leads to the development of various diseases.
It has been shown that the composition of our gut microbiota can vary throughout life under the influence of endogenous characteristics – which include biological, genetic and ethnic determinants – which interfere in growth more actively from the age of two and factors environmental factors, such as diet and lifestyle.
Relationship between infants and gut microbiota
Our microbiota begins to form from birth, although some studies indicate that the mother’s uterus can be colonized by microorganisms present in the vaginal microbiota, i.e. we have already started forming our microbiota even before birth.
In the first months of life, the microbiota of babies has an unstable and varied composition, mainly influenced by the type of delivery (natural delivery or cesarean), diet (breast milk or formula milk), use of antibiotics, among others.
It is curious that bacteria of the bifidobacteria type are the main microorganisms present in the intestinal microbiota of children fed exclusively with mother’s milk. While counts of harmful bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Clostridium difficile, Bacteroides fragilis and Lactobacillus sp. they are greater in those fed exclusively with formula milk. Did you just see the importance of breastfeeding?
In addition, evidence also shows that babies treated with antibiotics have lower numbers of enterococci and lactic acid bacteria, which is why these babies suffer from colic so much.
Therefore, numerous studies indicate that the composition of the gut microbiota during the first months of life is crucial for the development of the immune system and suggest that the development of some types of childhood allergies is related to differences in the microbiota. Most of the time supplementing with specific probiotics can correct this problem.
After the first 2 or 3 years, the composition of the intestinal microbiota stabilizes and reaches greater complexity in adults, when it is composed of hundreds of different species, in particular bacteria belonging to the phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, followed by actinobacteria, proteobacteria, among others .
Microbiota and ageing
But, through the physiological, nutritional and lifestyle changes that occur with our biological aging, as well as the chronic use of certain drugs, the composition of the intestinal microbiota also influences changes that become more evident after the age of 70, where it is already demonstrated that there is a reduction in the diversity of microorganisms that colonize the intestinal microbiota of elderly individuals, characterized by the lower number of bacteria of the genus Bifidobacterium and by the diversity of species of the genera Bacteroides, Prevotella and Lactobacillus.
Furthermore, the reduction of several bacteria belonging to the phylum Firmicutes and the increase of species belonging to the phylum Bacteroidetes have also been associated with the aging process.
What does it mean?
This reduction responds in our body with a lower immunological resistance, since our microbiota will have difficulty protecting the intestinal mucosa, allowing the absorption of toxins, as well as not metabolizing and synthesizing the essential nutrients for our homeostasis as before.
The elderly also have significantly decreased levels of short-chain fatty acids in the gastrointestinal tract, which also contributes to this immune system deficiency, as well as metabolic and inflammatory disorders, malnutrition, sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass), obesity, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases and even neoplasms.
I think the need for probiotic supplementation has been demonstrated, especially for the elderly, although, as I said, people believe that the use of probiotics is exclusively to improve intestinal transit. The consumption of probiotics goes much further, such as in the prevention and treatment of numerous diseases.
What about the elderly with a healthy lifestyle?
Studies indicate that until the age of 70, the composition of the microbiota changes little and that there is a “very special” microbiota in healthy centenarians. Data from a study in Sardinia, Italy, with 3,000 volunteers, confirm that centenarians and supercentenarians (over 100 years old) have a diverse gut microbiota and that loss of diversity with aging does not necessarily mean the development of a disease profile.
Healthy centenarians show two interesting aspects in relation to what we can consider a standard of health in aging: first, they have factors that compensate for the aging defects inherent in the immune system, such as the appearance of chronic inflammation of low degree , called inflammaging, which can lead to chronic degenerative diseases.
Second, despite having a less diverse microbiota in terms of bacterial species commonly associated with beneficial and anti-inflammatory activities in healthy adults, they have an increase in the abundance of other bacteria over the years, such as Lactobacillus, for example, beneficial and beneficial. as protection against these microbial changes.
Thus, although the composition of the microbiota of healthy elderly people and centenarians varies, the metabolic activity of the intestinal bacteria manages to be preserved, which is what matters. Healthy centenarians are thus able to maintain some of the microbial activity that is so important to health.
These results are interesting because they demonstrate that there is no single bacterium responsible for all these benefits and, depending on the country, dietary habits and lifestyle, different species can be considered important because they perform the same functions in different contexts.
What foods are good for a healthy microbiota?
Natural (unprocessed) foods high in fiber are great examples. They promote the enrichment of the microbiota by bacteria capable of degrading these fibers into metabolites – called short-chain fatty acids (such as acetate, propionate and butyrate) – which perform anti-inflammatory functions in the intestine and in the body in general.
Some microbiota bacteria can also produce secondary bile acids from salts secreted in the bile. These acids have a protective action against intestinal pathogens, stimulate the production of mucus, improve glucose tolerance and protect the colon mucosa from the appearance of polyps and tumors.
The consumption of fruits, vegetables, cereals (such as quinoa, oats, brown rice) and legumes helps the activity of these beneficial bacteria, as does an adequate fluid intake during the day.
The secret of healthy ageing
Longevity and healthy aging depend on a chain made up of: an active lifestyle with exercise, proper nutrition, good quality sleep and routine. When one of these is missing, it throws off balance.
I know it’s not easy, but we can make a little effort in pursuit of that much dreamed of healthy aging. And you can get started today by changing your eating habits and, who knows, properly supplementing with probiotics with the right health professional. Take care of this very special and complex gift that is your body. It’s only one and it’s for life!
Source: Terra
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
