{"id":7965,"date":"2026-06-29T21:59:57","date_gmt":"2026-06-29T19:59:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bacteria.de\/uncategorized\/microbiome-and-aging\/"},"modified":"2026-06-29T22:02:05","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T20:02:05","slug":"microbiome-and-aging","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bacteria.de\/en\/body\/microbiome-and-aging\/","title":{"rendered":"Aging: The Price of the Microbiome"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Microbiome and Aging: Can Bacteria Influence the Aging Process?<\/h1>\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Perceptions of <a href=\"https:\/\/bacteria.de\/en\/general\/bacteria-are-good\/\">bacteria<\/a> have changed dramatically over time: from terrifying pathogens that wiped out as many as one-third of Europe\u2019s population during the era of the great pandemics, to modern-day helpers who, like shining knights in golden armor, safeguard our health.<br\/><br\/>But as always, the world isn\u2019t just black and white. Of course, through their collaboration with our bodies, bacteria give us abilities without which we could hardly survive. But just as in Goethe\u2019s *Faust*, where the protagonist makes a pact and ultimately has to pay the price, the symbiosis between bacteria and us, the host, also comes at a cost. When we talk about the microbiome and aging, this is precisely the cost we\u2019re referring to. But how high is it?    <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-divi-layout\">[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;|0px||0px|false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][pac_divi_table_of_contents title=&#8221;Table of contents&#8221; default_state=&#8221;closed&#8221; exclude_headings_by_class=&#8221;on&#8221; included_headings=&#8221;off|on|off|off|off|off&#8221; level_markers_2=&#8221;decimal&#8221; title_container_bg_color=&#8221;#2DACDC&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_font_font=&#8221;Open Sans||||||||&#8221; title_font_size=&#8221;16px&#8221; heading_all_font=&#8221;Open Sans||||||||&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][\/pac_divi_table_of_contents][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Pact<\/h2>\n\n<p>Just as the literary character Faust in Goethe\u2019s work makes a pact with <strong>Mephisto<\/strong> and must pay for it with his soul, so too is the symbiosis between humans and bacteria not without consequences. As the saying goes: <em>\u201cNothing in life is free.\u201d<\/em>Not even collaboration with microorganisms. <\/p>\n\n<p>The image of friendly bacteria that selflessly help humans is just as false as the stories of <strong>murderous bacteria<\/strong> that have nothing but the death of humans in mind. It is a product of humans\u2019 tendency to anthropomorphize everything, to view everything from their limited perspective. Yet bacteria have no intention, no plan, and no sophisticated strategy.    <\/p>\n\n<p>They want <strong>to live<\/strong> and <strong>reproduce<\/strong>. And that is why they take advantage of the ecological niches that the human body offers them. In a figurative sense, this symbiosis <strong>represents <\/strong>a <strong>classic contract <\/strong>.  <\/p>\n\n<p><br\/>Humans provide microorganisms with a habitat and food. In return, bacteria affect humans in a variety of ways. Among other things, they can break down food components, ferment dietary fiber, produce short-chain fatty acids, <strong>strengthen<\/strong> the immune system, or <strong>influence<\/strong> the mucous membranes.  <\/p>\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Humans must expend a great deal of energy to ensure that this collaboration takes place within a controlled framework. Proximity to microorganisms is beneficial. But this close interaction must not get out of hand. The effectiveness of microbial cells comes at a price.   <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1456\" height=\"816\" src=\"https:\/\/bacteria.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/pakt.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7929\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.7843182340767993;width:719px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bacteria.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/pakt.png 1456w, https:\/\/bacteria.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/pakt-1280x717.png 1280w, https:\/\/bacteria.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/pakt-980x549.png 980w, https:\/\/bacteria.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/pakt-480x269.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) and (max-width: 1280px) 1280px, (min-width: 1281px) 1456px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The low price when you&#8217;re young<\/h2>\n\n<p>Anyone with <strong>private health insurance<\/strong> knows this: When you\u2019re young, when your body is at its peak and has an amazing ability to regenerate, the cost of insurance is very low. Even in our symbiotic relationship with bacteria, we benefit in our younger years from an extremely<strong> stable <a href=\"https:\/\/bacteria.de\/en\/nutrition\/magnesium-and-microbiome\/\">intestinal barrier<\/a><\/strong>, an astonishingly flexible immune system, and the body\u2019s ability to carry out the necessary repair processes <strong>quickly<\/strong> and <strong>efficiently<\/strong>. The young body is strong, and maintaining this balance comes almost effortlessly.  <\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The cost of the microbiome increases over the years<\/h2>\n\n<p>But just as with private health insurance, which eventually reaches painfully high premium levels, the controlled symbiosis between a <strong>diverse<\/strong> and <strong>stable<\/strong> microbiome and the host becomes increasingly difficult to maintain as we age.<\/p>\n\n<p>This is because the body undergoes changes as part of the aging process that directly affect the microbiome. The <strong>mucus layer<\/strong>\u2014that is, the layer of mucus on the surface of the intestine\u2014as well as the mucous membrane undergo changes, making it more difficult to maintain a controlled interaction with bacteria. This affects <strong>the distance<\/strong> between the body and the bacteria, as well as <strong>the protective<\/strong> and <strong>barrier functions<\/strong>.  <\/p>\n\n<p>The intestinal barrier, which was once quite stable, is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain. However, this is necessary to prevent bacterial components such as lipopolysaccharide\u2014LPS for short\u2014from entering the systemic circulation. <\/p>\n\n<p>Similarly, more energy must be expended both to maintain a functioning immune response and to ensure sufficient immune tolerance. At the same time, however, the performance of the mitochondria\u2014the cells\u2019 powerhouses\u2014declines. <\/p>\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>In addition, as people age, poor dietary habits have a greater impact and medication use increases. Muscle mass also begins to decline slowly starting in middle age. To maintain it, people need to be more physically active, which becomes increasingly difficult as they get older. The tendency to develop inflammation also increases.   <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n<p>All of these factors change people and, consequently, the<strong> microbiome\u2019s<\/strong> habitat. However, a microbial ecosystem is constantly adapting to external conditions. The dynamics of population changes are increasing, and well-established networks suddenly become less stable. There are fewer bacterial communities that perform the same functions because <a href=\"https:\/\/bacteria.de\/en\/body\/microbiome-diversity-health\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"5231\">diversity<\/a> and flexibility are declining.   <br\/><strong>In short: The microbiome is changing<\/strong>. A new, adapted microbiome is emerging\u2014an \u201cold\u201d microbiome in the broadest sense.  <\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Inflammaging: The Quiet Background Noise<\/h2>\n\n<p>But what exactly puts a strain on the body and increases the cost of the microbiome? You can think of it this way: During a normal infection, the immune system is activated, the fever rises, and the acute immune response fights off the <strong>invaders<\/strong> until the body typically returns to its normal state. <\/p>\n\n<p>But as we age, a new burden arises\u2014one that is the sum of all these gradual changes. The body, which is stable and strong in youth, increasingly experiences<strong> constant, chronic, low-grade inflammation<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1456\" height=\"816\" src=\"https:\/\/bacteria.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/motor.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7931\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.7843182340767993;width:709px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bacteria.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/motor.png 1456w, https:\/\/bacteria.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/motor-1280x717.png 1280w, https:\/\/bacteria.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/motor-980x549.png 980w, https:\/\/bacteria.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/motor-480x269.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) and (max-width: 1280px) 1280px, (min-width: 1281px) 1456px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p>The microbiome also plays an <strong>important role<\/strong> in this process. Due to the altered barrier function of the intestinal mucosa and the less precise regulation of the immune system, microbial signals are perceived differently. The altered, <strong>aging microbiome <\/strong>thus <strong>contributes <\/strong>to a persistent, low-grade inflammatory state. This includes increased release <strong>of<\/strong> certain <strong>inflammatory mediators<\/strong>, constant activation of the innate immune system, and heightened baseline immune activity.     <\/p>\n\n<p>This process is called &#8221; <strong>inflammaging<\/strong>.&#8221; The word is a combination of &#8220;inflammation&#8221; and &#8220;aging.&#8221; <\/p>\n\n<p>This aging immune system\u2014which is less stable, more reactive, but also less precise than the young one\u2014places a strain on the body because it consumes <strong>more energy<\/strong> while being less effective. You can think of it like an engine that\u2019s constantly idling at too high a RPM. That consumes a lot of energy and wears out the car.  <\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Microbiome and Aging: The Crucial Animal Studies<\/h2>\n\n<p>Experiments with mice have provided <strong>crucial evidence<\/strong> of the microbiome&#8217;s role in the aging process. However, it is important to remember that humans are more complex than mice. The effects observed in mice do not<strong> necessarily <\/strong>work<strong> the same way <\/strong>in humans.  <\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1456\" height=\"816\" src=\"https:\/\/bacteria.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/maeuse.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7932\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.7843182340767993;width:740px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bacteria.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/maeuse.png 1456w, https:\/\/bacteria.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/maeuse-1280x717.png 1280w, https:\/\/bacteria.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/maeuse-980x549.png 980w, https:\/\/bacteria.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/maeuse-480x269.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) and (max-width: 1280px) 1280px, (min-width: 1281px) 1456px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Germ-Free Aged Mice: What Happens Without a Microbiome?<\/h3>\n\n<p>Mice with an <strong>aged microbiome were <\/strong>compared to <strong>germ-free<\/strong> mice. Germ-free means that the mice are free of detectable microorganisms and can survive only under specific, controlled conditions. However, it was found that germ-free mice do not exhibit the same age-related inflammatory signals as mice with a microbiome. Age-associated dysbiosis contributed significantly to increased <strong>intestinal permeability<\/strong>, systemic signs of inflammation, and altered immune regulation. This does not mean that germ-free is better. But it clearly shows:     <\/p>\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Without the microbiome, certain age-related inflammatory signals do not occur in the same way in old mice.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Transfer of an aged microbiome to young, germ-free mice<\/h3>\n\n<p>When an <strong>aged microbiome from <\/strong>aging mice was transferred to <strong>young<\/strong>, <strong>germ-free<\/strong> mice, the latter subsequently developed certain <strong>age-related inflammatory traits<\/strong>. This means that an aging microbiome can transmit inflammatory signs of aging. <\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Transfer of Microbiomes Between Young and Old Mice<\/h3>\n\n<p>Microbiome transfer in both directions between young and old mice revealed that young mice developed certain age-related inflammatory markers, whereas the transfer of young microbiota to old mice suppressed certain age-associated signatures in <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/bacteria.de\/en\/brain\/gut-brain-axis\/\">the gut<\/a><\/strong>, <strong>brain<\/strong>, and <strong>eye<\/strong>. The effects, therefore, work in both directions and are not limited to inflammation in the gut <\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Transfer of the microbiome to mice with accelerated aging<\/h3>\n\n<p>Mice exhibiting signs of accelerated aging received <strong>microbiota transplants<\/strong> from healthy control animals. This resulted in improvements in both lifespan and healthspan. Crucially, these mice exhibited <strong>dysbiosis<\/strong> \u2014that is, a microbiome with <strong>an altered composition<\/strong>\u2014prior to the transplant. This demonstrates that the host can derive measurable benefits when its disrupted microbiome is modulated by the microbiota of wild-type animals.   <\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Price of the Microbiome: What Does That Mean?<\/h2>\n\n<p>In simple terms, the relationship between the microbiome and aging can be described as follows:<\/p>\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Aging in humans leads to a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/bacteria.de\/en\/body\/microbiome-diversity-health\/\">altered environment<\/a><\/strong> and, consequently, an <strong>altered microbiome<\/strong>. The intestinal barrier becomes more vulnerable. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Microbial components can <strong>enter <\/strong>the <strong>systemic circulation <\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The innate immune system is <strong>constantly<\/strong> and <strong>chronically<\/strong> activated to a mild degree.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Inflammatory markers <strong>are rising<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Inflammatory signaling is <strong>amplified<\/strong> and contributes to <strong>inflammaging<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In other words, an aged microbiome can contribute to <strong>persistent inflammatory signals<\/strong> in the body.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The positive side of the microbiome continues to prevail<\/h2>\n\n<p>At this point, the conclusion seems inevitable that the cost of the microbiome represents a kind of <strong>dark side<\/strong> of the microbiome. Nevertheless, the microbiome\u2019s many <strong>positive effects<\/strong> clearly outweigh its negative aspects.<br\/>However, it appears that disruption of the microbiome can accelerate <strong>aging processes<\/strong> as people grow older. <\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Change of Perspective<\/h2>\n\n<p>The symbiosis between bacteria and us is a lifelong<strong> partnership<\/strong>. As we age, however, the costs of the microbiome become apparent. The positive effects of the microbiome are increasingly offset by the negative effects of an age-related change in the microbiome. The human aging process could be accelerated.   <\/p>\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>The key insight here is that it is worthwhile to halt age-related dysbiosis\u2014that is, the breakdown or increasing disruption of the microbiome. This could also slow the rate of the aging process in humans.<br\/>This raises an intriguing question: By influencing the microbiome, can we also counteract our aging process to some extent? <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How can the aging process be counteracted?<\/h2>\n\n<p>Of course, there\u2019s no magic pill. But the idea of reducing the burden on the microbiome\u2014and thereby potentially slowing the aging process\u2014by stabilizing the microbial habitat certainly has its appeal. This isn\u2019t about clickbait-style longevity tips that are ultimately mostly trivial. What matters most is understanding the ecological system. Diet, <a href=\"https:\/\/bacteria.de\/en\/nutrition\/dietary-fiber\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"6946\">fiber<\/a>, exercise, sleep, avoiding unnecessary <a href=\"https:\/\/bacteria.de\/en\/medicine\/antibiotics-and-microbiome\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"7803\">antibiotics<\/a>, and managing inflammation can all help maintain the functional capacity of this system for longer. And that is precisely how the aging process could be influenced. These recommendations aren\u2019t spectacular. But they can be implemented by anyone who wants to explore the microbiome and aging in greater depth. It\u2019s worth pursuing these avenues.        <\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-divi-layout\">[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;|0px||0px|false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;|0px||0px|false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_toggle title=&#8221;10 Ways to Keep the Cost of the Microbiome Down&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_font_size=&#8221;21px&#8221; background_color=&#8221;rgba(45,172,220,0.13)&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; border_radii=&#8221;on|3px|3px|3px|3px&#8221; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset1&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<p><strong>So what can each of us do to keep the cost of the microbiome low?<\/strong><br>As always, there\u2019s no single quick fix. However, there are recommendations for lowering the cost and supporting healthy aging. These may not come as a surprise. Yet time and again, it becomes clear that only a very small number of people actually follow them. Consistency is the key here!    <\/p>\n<p><strong>1. Make sure to include a variety of dietary fibers<\/strong><br\/>The body doesn\u2019t benefit from fancy names on a microbiome test report, but rather from the ecosystem\u2019s functionality. Different bacterial groups work together to fulfill a function. It is not a single \u201csuperbacterium,\u201d but rather the group that interacts with one another and thereby fulfills an essential function in the body. It\u2019s not individual bacteria that need to be supplied with nutrients, but rather the various microorganisms that work together within the network.<br\/>That\u2019s why it\u2019s important to pay attention not only to the amount of dietary fiber, but also to its diversity!   <\/p>\n<p><strong>2. Keep your gut barrier strong<\/strong><br\/>A leaky gut barrier leads to increased inflammatory responses in the body. Butyrate plays a particularly important role here because it supplies the gut cells with energy. Make sure to eat a diet that\u2019s gentle on your mucous membranes and avoid ultra-processed foods.  <\/p>\n<p><strong>3. Exercise regularly<\/strong><br\/>It may seem trivial, but exercise is one of the most important factors for a healthy microbiome. A healthy metabolism, improved bowel motility, and increased diversity are just a few of the positive effects. Nevertheless, very few people take this advice to heart. If the massive health benefits of exercise were available in pill form, it would be the undisputed blockbuster of all medications.    <\/p>\n<p><strong>4. Pay attention to your muscle mass<\/strong><br\/>It\u2019s not about looking like Arnold Schwarzenegger. However, if you don\u2019t pay attention to your muscle mass, you\u2019re missing out on a crucial factor for good health. People with low muscle mass not only have an imbalance throughout their entire body but also in their microbiome. The positive effects of muscle mass are undisputed. Metabolic stability, reduced inflammation, a better-regulated immune system, and improved glucose management all depend on it. This helps maintain a stable environment for the microbiome, which in turn positively influences the microbiome\u2019s stability. People who do not focus on maintaining muscle mass have an increased risk of disease and an accelerated aging process.      <\/p>\n<p><strong>5. Avoid unnecessary antibiotics<\/strong><br\/>Antibiotics, as indispensable as they may be for certain illnesses, represent a massive disruption to the complex ecosystem. The consequences can be severe and are still vastly underestimated today. The diversity and resilience of the microbiome can be compromised by antibiotic use. Antibiotics should therefore really only be taken when absolutely necessary. Exercise caution with blanket or routine prophylactic use without a clear medical indication.    <\/p>\n<p><strong>6. Question the need for long-term medication<\/strong><br\/>Are you taking medication on a long-term basis? Are you sure it\u2019s still necessary? Many medications affect the microbiome, particularly proton pump inhibitors. As people age, the number of medications they take tends to increase, and with it, the strain on the microbiome. Discuss this regularly with your doctor.    <\/p>\n<p><strong>7. Eat a nutritionally diverse<\/strong> diet<br\/>Dietary diversity provides a variety of nutrients for the bacteria, resulting in a more functionally diverse and robust microbiota. A consistently monotonous diet promotes a less diverse and less resilient microbial ecosystem. Incorporate a variety of plants, legumes, vegetables, whole grains, and fermented foods into your diet.  <\/p>\n<p><strong>8. Reduce chronic inflammatory stress<\/strong><br\/>Chronic stress, poor metabolic health, visceral fat, lack of sleep, and physical inactivity increase the baseline level of inflammation as we age. The cost of the microbiome rises not only because the microbiome changes, but also because the host\u2019s regulatory functions deteriorate.<br\/>You can\u2019t change that? Okay, fair enough. To paraphrase Jens Corssen, the cost is too high for you because it requires too much effort. But then you have to accept that the biological cost will remain higher.    <\/p>\n<p><strong>9. Get enough sleep and maintain a consistent sleep schedule<\/strong><br\/>We now know that the microbiome also follows circadian rhythms, meal and sleep times, and general temporal patterns. Anyone who introduces significant irregularities into these patterns harms their microbiome and increases its cost. Be sure to consistently maintain regular bedtimes and regular eating windows.  <\/p>\n<p><strong>10. Think ecologically<\/strong><br\/>The microbiome is a complex ecosystem. Probiotics can influence it, but they are not a cure-all. If the nine points mentioned above are not followed, even the most expensive and best probiotic won\u2019t help. If you want to lower the \u201ccost\u201d of the microbiome, you must first and foremost improve the habitat for the bacteria\u2014not just replace individual bacteria. Probiotics can be a useful complement to the measures listed above, but they cannot replace them.     <\/p>[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/div>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Price of Closeness<\/h2>\n\n<p>Bacteria are close to us. Very close. <strong>Closer than anything else<\/strong>. This proximity is a major advantage because we benefit from their metabolic power, their protective function, and their effect on our immune system. But this proximity requires control, which seems to come effortlessly in our younger years. As we age, however, it becomes more difficult. <strong>That\u2019s when the price of the microbiome becomes apparent<\/strong>.    <br\/><br\/>The good news is: <strong>You can lower the price<\/strong>.<br\/><strong>You just have to go for it<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bibliography and further reading<\/h2>\n\n<p>B\u00e1rcena, C. et al. (2019). Extension of healthspan and lifespan through fecal microbiota transplantation in progeroid mice. *Nature Medicine*, 25, 1234\u20131242. DOI: <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41591-019-0504-5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41591-019-0504-5<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n<p>Brunt, V. E. et al. (2019). Suppression of the gut microbiome alleviates age-related arterial dysfunction and oxidative stress in mice. The Journal of Physiology, 597(9), 2361\u20132378. DOI: <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1113\/JP277336\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1113\/JP277336<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n<p>Claesson, M. J. et al. (2012). Gut microbiota composition correlates with diet and health in older adults. Nature, 488, 178\u2013184. DOI: <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/nature11319\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/nature11319<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n<p>Franceschi, C., et al. (2000). Inflamm-aging: An evolutionary perspective on immunosenescence. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 908, 244\u2013254. DOI: <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/j.1749-6632.2000.tb06651.x\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/j.1749-6632.2000.tb06651.x<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n<p>Fransen, F. et al. (2017). Aged Gut Microbiota Contributes to Systemic Inflammaging after Transfer to Germ-Free Mice. Frontiers in Immunology, 8, 1385. DOI: <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fimmu.2017.01385\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fimmu.2017.01385<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n<p>Furman, D. et al. (2019). Chronic inflammation in the etiology of disease across the life span. Nature Medicine, 25, 1822\u20131832. DOI: <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41591-019-0675-0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41591-019-0675-0<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n<p>Ghosh, T. S., Shanahan, F., &amp; O\u2019Toole, P. W. (2022). The gut microbiome as a modulator of healthy aging. Nature Reviews Gastroenterology &amp; Hepatology, 19, 565\u2013584. DOI: <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41575-022-00605-x\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41575-022-00605-x<\/a>   <\/p>\n\n<p>Houghton, D. et al. (2018). Impact of Age-Related Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Exercise on the Composition of the Intestinal Microbiota. The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, 73(5), 571\u2013578. DOI: <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/gerona\/glx197\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/gerona\/glx197<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n<p>Jackson, M. A. et al. (2016). Signatures of early frailty in the gut microbiota. Genome Medicine, 8, 8. DOI: <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s13073-016-0262-7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s13073-016-0262-7<\/a> <\/p>\n\n<p>Kim, K.-A. et al. (2016). Gut microbiota lipopolysaccharide accelerates inflamm-aging in mice. BMC Microbiology, 16, 9. DOI: <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12866-016-0625-7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12866-016-0625-7<\/a><\/p>\n\n<p>Parada Venegas, D., et al. (2019). Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs)-Mediated Gut Epithelial and Immune Regulation and Its Relevance for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Frontiers in Immunology, 10, 277. DOI:<a href=\"&#10;https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fimmu.2019.00277\"> https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fimmu.2019.00277<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n<p>Parker, A., et al. (2022). Fecal microbiota transfer between young and aged mice reverses hallmarks of aging in the gut, eye, and brain. Microbiome, 10, 68. DOI: <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s40168-022-01243-w\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s40168-022-01243-w<\/a> <\/p>\n\n<p>Sato, Y. et al. (2021). Novel bile acid biosynthetic pathways are enriched in the microbiome of centenarians. Nature, 599, 458\u2013464. DOI: <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41586-021-03832-5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41586-021-03832-5<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n<p>Stehle Jr., J. R. et al. (2012). Lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, a surrogate marker of microbial translocation, is associated with physical function in healthy older adults. The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, 67(11), 1212\u20131218. DOI: <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/gerona\/gls178\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/gerona\/gls178<\/a><\/p>\n\n<p>Thevaranjan, N. et al. (2017). Age-Associated Microbial Dysbiosis Promotes Intestinal Permeability, Systemic Inflammation, and Macrophage Dysfunction. Cell Host &amp; Microbe, 21(4), 455\u2013466.e4. DOI: <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.chom.2017.03.002\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.chom.2017.03.002<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n<p>Wilmanski, T. et al. (2021). A healthy gut microbiome pattern reflects healthy aging and predicts survival in humans. Nature Metabolism, 3, 274\u2013286. DOI: <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s42255-021-00348-0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s42255-021-00348-0<\/a>  <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Can we influence how we age? Why our microbiome might play a bigger role in this than we\u2019ve long thought. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":7964,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[44],"tags":[298,299,93,176,72],"class_list":["post-7965","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-body","tag-aging","tag-aging-process","tag-bacteria","tag-intestinal-microbiome","tag-microbiome"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bacteria.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7965","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bacteria.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bacteria.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bacteria.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bacteria.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7965"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/bacteria.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7965\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7970,"href":"https:\/\/bacteria.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7965\/revisions\/7970"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bacteria.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7964"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bacteria.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7965"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bacteria.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7965"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bacteria.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7965"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}