Why do some people live longer? Scientists have found out what makes them special

In 2030, a real demographic explosion among long-livers is expected. Researchers say that by that time the number of those who will live to 100 years and more, will reach a million people around the world. And all because scientists are getting closer to unraveling the secret of longevity. What have they found out this time?

certified health coach, nutritionist, founder of GetVegetable.com.

The fact that scientists have discovered unique bacteria in the intestines of long-lived people in the course of their research is quite an expected development.

What are the scientists saying?

Gerontologists – those who study the aging process – have been studying longevity factors for a long time and each time they find something new. This time they have identified one feature that allows some people to cross the century mark. A new study by Japanese and American scientists has shown that the microbes inhabiting the body of long-livers, protect them from various pathogens. Thanks to this, they better tolerate age-related diseases.

The authors of the work studied bacteria from the microbiome of more than 300 Japanese aged 107 years, 85-89 years and 21-55 years. It turned out that long-livers, compared to other age groups, have a greater number of intestinal bacteria that convert primary bile acids into secondary ones. These products of microbial metabolism are thought to protect the gut from the growth of pathogenic bacteria and intestinal inflammation, and with it, prolong life. Researchers suggest that it is thanks to the unique microbiome that long-lived people keep their health normal.

Candidate of Biological Sciences, Head of Microbiota Research Department of Atlas Holding Company

This type of bacteria is far from being the most common. And if it is, it is more often in small numbers. Secondary bile acids produced by these bacteria are toxic to the pathogenic bacterium Clostridioides difficile. But they are also toxic to probiotic bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. In addition, elevated amounts of secondary bile acids have been observed in a number of studies in various GI pathologies such as colon cancer, liver cancer, and gallstones.

Everything that happens in the intestine is a joint work of good and bad bacteria that support the microflora, notes the nutritionist. The former take care of human immunity, fight various diseases, affect brain function, memory and longevity. The second can cause dementia, obesity, pain syndromes and generally worsen well-being.

Therefore, the fact that scientists in the process of research have found a unique bacteria in the intestines of long-livers is quite an expected event. In the scientific community, the human gastrointestinal system has long been called the “second brain”. Even before our era, the intestines were called “the gates of heaven”, and Hippocrates said that “the death of man begins with his intestines”.

According to nutritionist Lidia Kvashnina, the microbiome determines the quality and length of human life. Quite detailed information about these mechanisms of influence is written in Stephen Gundry’s book “The Paradox of Longevity. How to stay young to a profound old age”. The author explains the causes of major age-related diseases: cardiovascular, cancer, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease and others. And they all originate in the gut, in the presence of “friendly” and “unfriendly” bacteria. The writer believes that the main cause of aging is the lack of a balanced bacterial population in the gut.

Nutriciologist

In my practice, I have repeatedly had to observe that without medication, changing only the diet and lifestyle, people change its quality. They get sick less often, improve the appearance of their skin and hair, become more active and positive. These are small but still important components on the way to a long and, more importantly, healthy old age.

How to maintain intestinal health?

Russian biologist and Nobel Prize winner Ilya Mechnikov argued back in the last century that premature and painful aging depends on poisoning of the intestinal flora by certain microbes, and anything that prevents intestinal putrefaction should improve health and delay old age.