Good Lifestyle

Does the fountain of youth lie in your intestine?

Since previous studies have indicated a link between gastrointestinal microbiota - billions of microorganismslive in the digestive tract-andbrain healthRope researchers at College University in Ireland decided to explore if this association could have an effect on an aging brain.

The teachers led a transplant of fecal microbiota (using the "good" intestinal bacteria) of young people (3 to 4 months of age) or old mice (19 to 20 months) in old mice. After performing brain analyzes and tests (such as the classic rodent labyrinth), the authors found that the mice that received the "teen" microbiome posted fewer signs of anxiety - a classic symptom of the disease. Alzheimer - as well as improved memory and cognitive function.

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In fact, the analyzes revealed that their brains contained certain molecules and motifs of genes that imitated the brain of a young mouse. These last discoveries have been published in the journalAging.

"This new search is a potential play changer, because we have established that the microbiome can be hitched to reverse the deterioration of the age-related brain," said John F. Cyan, Professor and Vice President of Research and From innovation to the Cord of College University, in aPress release.

While he added that this discovery is still in his "first days", a colleague and a director of the research center said: "The study opens opportunities in the future to modulate the intestinal microbiota as a therapeutic target To influence the health of the brain. "

According toAlzheimer's associationMore than six million Americans suffer from this progressive cerebral disease that causes a slow decrease in memory, thought and reasoning skills. The number of adults living with Alzheimer, which is the most common type of dementia, double every five years beyond 65 years, indicates disease control and prevention centers.

"This current Ireland study] adds to the body of evidence that there are significant interactions between the intestinal microbioma and the brain probably mediated by our immune system," saidDouglas Scharre, MD, a neurologist and director of the Cognitive Neurology Division at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center. "I agree that many more research is needed."

Sunitha Posina, MD, a Certified Internist of the New York Council, believes that these last research is promising. "It would be revolutionary if it could be reproduced in humans," she continues. "That's very good news."

It accumulates with Scharre, as well as investigators, that "larger studies and more longitudinal studies" must be carried out to establish a direct relationship."It does not matter, I do not see any harm to improve our intestine microbioma through the diet and lifestyle because they are beneficial for our well-being and not just the brain," says Posina.

A number ofFoods contain probiotics Or live bacterial cultures that benefit from the gastrointestinal tract. Two types of living microorganisms, lactobacillus or streptococcus are added to pasteurized milk to make yogurt, making it one of the most popular and current fermented foods, depending on theNational health institutes. Other family members of Gut Flora and fermented foods include pickles, saerkraut, miso, kombucha, kefir, kimchi, leaven bread andapple cider vinegar.

In addition, you can feed your gut flora by throwing morePrebiotic rich foods-Foods that have been demonstrated to improve the "probiotic" effect in the small intestine and the colon, according to a study published in the newspaperNutrients-Ono your plate, such as tomatoes, artichokes, bananas, asparagus, berries, garlic, onions, chicory, green vegetables, legumes, oats, linen, barley, andcorn.

Now, make sure to readA major effect to eat tomatoes and olive oil has on your heart, said a study. Then, to get healthy tips delivered directly into your inbox, sign up for our newsletter!