New Microbiome Enhancement Strategy for Healthier Aging

Scientists investigating the gut microbiome in people who live to be at least 100 years old have made an astonishing discovery:

Healthy centenarians
have a makeup of gut
bacteria with signatures
similar to that of
younger people.¹

A combination of three probiotics plus a postbiotic can help shift the gut microbiome toward a similar youthful state supporting healthy aging.

In a clinical study of elderly adults, taking a blend of two of these probiotics:

• Improved the microbiome by increasing beneficial bacteria and reducing harmful strains,²
• Decreased markers of chronic inflammation,^2,3 and
• Improved nutritional status.³

A third probiotic^4,5 improved cholesterol levels in clinical studies, supporting cardiovascular health.

In animal model studies, an additional heat-treated postbiotic improved the gut microbiome,^6,7 and in one study, it was associated with increased lifespan.⁷

These new data sets add to what is already known about the importance of maintaining a healthy microbiome.

The Microbiome-Aging Link

Growing evidence demonstrates the key role the gut microbiome plays in health as we age.^8-10

An imbalance of gut microorganisms has been described by scientists as one of the "hallmarks of aging."¹¹

Age-related dysbiosis, which is an imbalance of the gut microbiome, can trigger harmful inflammation and chronic diseases,^12-14 which are potential contributors to reduced longevity.^14,15

Beneficial gut bacteria, on the other hand, may help support a healthy lifespan.^16-18

Scientists have documented the potential for probiotics, which are live microorganisms taken orally, to promote a healthier gut microbiome.^19-22 They have long been used to improve specific health conditions.^20,23-25

But researchers have also found that certain probiotic strains help promote healthier overall aging. This includes combating negative age-related changes in the gut microbiome that could interfere with reaching age 100 or above.

Gut Microbiomes of Centenarians

Scientists have identified critical differences between the gut microbiomes of frail, aging individuals and healthy individuals aged 100 years and older.

Over time, the majority of people develop an imbalance or negative changes in the composition of their gut bacteria. This change in the microbiome can result in:

• Inflammation, which can lead to frailty, metabolic disease, and neurodegeneration,²⁶ and
• Immune Senescence, age-related deterioration of the immune system.^27,28

By contrast, healthy guts of thriving centenarians include certain characteristics:

• Higher levels of beneficial bacteria, such as Akkermansia, Bifidobacterium, and Lactobacillus,^1,29,30
• Lower levels of potentially inflammatory bacteria, such as Proteobacteria,^1,31
• Greater levels of beneficial short-chain fatty acids produced by gut bacteria,^30-32 and
• Fewer pro-inflammatory cytokines (signaling molecules).^1,29,31

Mounting evidence suggests that targeting age-related gut imbalance and restoring healthy bacteria may promote longer healthspan and lifespan by mitigating systemic low-grade inflammation and immune senescence—two key contributors to aging.²⁸

In a major advance, scientists have identified three probiotics and a postbiotic that may help rebalance aging, dysbiotic microbiomes to more closely resemble the gut microbiomes of healthy centenarians.

Healthy Aging Strains

Scientists isolated two probiotic strains from healthy elderly individuals:33

• Lactobacillus rhamnosus IMC 501® and
• Lactobacillus paracasei IMC 502®

In human studies, these strains were shown to be tolerant to the gut’s acidic environment.^33,34

When combined, both strains have been shown to positively impact bowel regularity,³⁴ reduce inflammatory markers,^2,3 and inhibit potentially harmful microorganisms such as Candida albicans.³³

In a randomized, controlled clinical trial, 97 healthy individuals with an average age of 81 took either a placebo or 5 billion CFU (colony forming units) of a blend of these two strains.^2,3

After 24 weeks, researchers found that the treatment group had:^2,3

• Improvement in growth of other probiotic strains associated with health and longevity such as Akkermansia, Bifidobacterium, and Lactobacillus,
• Reduced levels in the Proteobacteria phylum, known to contain harmful bacteria,
• Increased beneficial short-chain fatty acids, including butyric acid, which may have anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and gut-healing effects,³⁵
• Decreased inflammatory factors,
• Lower hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein), a measure of chronic blood vessel inflammation, and
• Improved nutritional status and reduced malnutrition risk, based on standardized nutritional assessments.

What You Need To Know

Probiotics for Healthy Aging

• Certain probiotics have been shown to support overall healthy aging.
• In a clinical study, a blend of two probiotic strains isolated from healthy elderly individuals, Lactobacillus rhamnosus IMC 501® and Lactobacillus paracasei IMC 502®, improved the makeup of the gut microbiome and other factors associated with a healthy lifespan.
• In clinical trials, the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum ECGC 13110402 improved cholesterol levels, which supports cardiovascular health.
• A postbiotic form of Lactobacillus paracasei D3-5 extended lifespan and improved physical and cognitive function in animal models.
• Taken together, these ingredients may help shift the gut microbiome toward a more youthful state for better health.

Probiotic for Cholesterol Support

Lowering cholesterol is one of the key methods to support cardiovascular and overall health. After examining over 4,000 candidates, scientists identified a probiotic with this benefit: Lactobacillus plantarum ECGC 13110402.

In two randomized, double-blind clinical trials, volunteers took either a placebo or 4 billion CFU of Lactobacillus plantarum ECGC 13110402 daily.^4,5

In the first trial, 46 participants had an average age of 52 and cholesterol in the normal-to-high range. After 12 weeks, treated subjects had the following modest results:⁴

• 8% decrease in total cholesterol,
• 5% increase in HDL ("good") cholesterol in those aged 60 and older,
• 3% increase in HDL cholesterol on average, and
• Lower-trending LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels.

The second trial’s participants were aged 35 to 70 and had high cholesterol levels. After just six weeks, treated subjects had the following more robust results:⁵

• 22% decrease in total cholesterol,
• 13% lower non-HDL cholesterol,
• 12% lower LDL cholesterol, and
• 8% lower levels of ApoB (apolipoprotein B). ApoB promotes penetration of atherogenic lipids into the endothelium.

Longer Animal Lifespan

Substances known as postbiotics are also associated with potential health improvements.^6,7,36

Postbiotics are heat-treated, non-living micro- organisms.³⁷

In an animal study, a blend of microorganisms containing Lactobacillus paracasei D3-5, isolated from infant fecal samples, was given to healthy mice.⁶

It modulated the gut microbiome in mice, increasing short-chain fatty acid production, particularly beneficial propionate and butyrate.⁶

In another study, a postbiotic created from heat-treated Lactobacillus paracasei D3-5 extended lifespan and preserved physical function in roundworms.⁷

In elderly mice, the Lactobacillus paracasei D3-5 postbiotic:⁷

• Improved physical and cognitive function,
• Prevented high-fat-diet-induced metabolic dysfunction,
• Decreased leaky gut, and
• Lowered inflammation.

Combining this postbiotic with probiotics supports a balanced microbiome by promoting beneficial bacteria and suppressing harmful ones, thereby reducing detrimental factors and promoting healthy aging.

Probiotics and Postbiotics: What’s the Difference?

Probiotics are live microorganisms, such as bacteria and yeast, that provide health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts. They can be consumed through food, beverages, or supplements. The health benefits of probiotics are strain-specific, meaning different strains exert distinct health effects.³⁸

Postbiotics—post- (after) and biotic (life)are formulations containing non-living microorganisms, and/or their components, that confer health benefits to the host. Microbial inactivation is typically achieved through methods such as heat, ultraviolet (UV) light, or sonication, which may also break cells into structural components like bacterial cell walls. Additionally, postbiotics may include metabolic byproducts of microbial growth, such as lactic acid. Like prebiotics, postbiotics can exert beneficial effects beyond the gut, including on the vaginal and skin microbiomes.³⁹

Summary

Humans aged 100 years or more share certain gut bacteria characteristics with much younger people, motivating scientists to identify strains that may promote healthy aging.

Researchers isolated two Lactobacilli strains from healthy, elderly humans. In clinical studies, a blend of these probiotics improved the microbiome and other factors associated with health and longevity.

A third Lactobacillus strain was clinically demonstrated to lower cholesterol, a key factor in heart health and healthy aging.

A postbiotic form of another Lactobacillus strain extended lifespan and improved physical and cognitive function in animal models.

Taken together, these four microbiome constituents may support optimal health well into advanced age.

If you have any questions on the scientific content of this article, please call a Life Extension Wellness Specialist at 1-866-864-3027.

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