With age the microbiota changes and fuels inflammaging. Prebiotics and polyphenols can rebalance it and protect long-term health
The key to longevity is not only found in genes or lifestyle, but also in an invisible ecosystem that lives inside us: the intestinal microbiota. This community of billions of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi, plays an increasingly recognized role in maintain health and slow down the aging processesas revealed by several studies over the past few years.
Longevity and microbiota
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“The intestine is not a simple passenger, but a real control room that influences our life and our longevity,” he told theAdnkronos Health the clinical immunologist Mauro Minelliprofessor at Lum University and among the precursors of the study of the microbiota in Italy. In recent years, in fact, scientific research has shifted attention tointeraction between microbiota, immune system and metabolismshowing how the balance of this intestinal flora can directly impact the quality of aging.
We also know, however, that As we age, the microbiota loses diversity and richnessleaving room for bacterial species that are less favorable for our organism. This imbalance, known as dysbiosisrepresents one of the main causes of pathological aging.
“When the microbiota changes, the intestinal barrier weakens and becomes permeable. Bacterial molecules and toxins such as lipopolysaccharides are thus able to enter the bloodstream, triggering chronic low-grade inflammation, theinflammaging. This silent inflammatory state is the fertile ground on which many age-related chronic diseases take root, from cognitive decline to cardiovascular pathologies”, continued Professor Minelli, according to whom this drift is not inevitable.
The microbiota, in fact, is not an immutable genetic factor: responds dynamically to diet and lifestyle and this means that it is possible to intervene to restore balance and reduce chronic inflammation. One of the protagonists of this process is the butyratea short-chain fatty acid produced by beneficial bacteria. “Butyrate is like the mortar of the intestinal wall. It nourishes the mucosal cells and helps repair the intestinal barrier, reducing permeability and inflammation. loss of butyrate-producing bacteria it is closely associated with increased inflammaging”, specified the expert.
this is why it is better to use prebiotics
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To support these friendly bacteria, i prebioticsnon-digestible compounds that selectively promote the growth of beneficial strains such as Bifidobacterium. Prebiotics are considered the “fuel” of good bacteria and their regular intake, even in the form of supplements, can represent a true preventative strategy to live longer.
The credit goes not only to prebiotics, but also to polyphenolsthe antioxidant molecules naturally present in fruit and vegetables. Their effectiveness, however, depends precisely on the microbiota: intestinal bacteria transform them into active compoundssuch as urolithins derived from pomegranate ellagitannins, which enhance i anti-inflammatory mechanisms and promote cell regeneration.
Faced with these facts, Minelli decided to ask legislators for a commitment to define and implement public policies that translate scientific data into prevention and health protocols: “It is necessary to teach that taking foods such as prebiotics is a preventive medical act to support beneficial strains such as the Bifidobacteriumcrucial for intestinal health in the elderly”.
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