In today’s open access paper, researchers report on an improved mapping of changes in microbial populations in the gut with advancing age. Past studies have shown that significant changes start comparatively early, in the mid-30s, for reasons yet to be clearly understood. Age-related changes in diet (generally worse) and exercise (generally lessened) clearly play a role, but at the high level, the most important changes are thought to be the result of a bidirectional interaction between the immune system and the microbiome. Growing numbers of inflammatory microbes contribute to the harmf…
Better Mapping Age-Related Changes in the Human Gut Microbiome
In today’s open access paper, researchers report on an improved mapping of changes in microbial populations in the gut with advancing age. Past studies have shown that significant changes start comparatively early, in the mid-30s, for reasons yet to be clearly understood. Age-related changes in diet (generally worse) and exercise (generally lessened) clearly play a role, but at the high level, the most important changes are thought to be the result of a bidirectional interaction between the immune system and the microbiome. Growing numbers of inflammatory microbes contribute to the harmf…