The gut microbiome changes with age for reasons yet to be fully explored, but which most likely involves the age-related decline of the immune system. Research suggests a bidirectional relationship between immune aging and changes in the balance of microbial populations found in the intestines. The immune system is responsible for gardening the gut microbiome, removing unwanted microbes, but its capacity to do so declines with age. A growth in problematic microbial populations can produce disruptive, pro-inflammatory metabolites that provoke the immune system into a state of <a hr…
Pigs as a Model to Explore Links Between the Gut Microbiome and Chronic Inflammation in Aging
The gut microbiome changes with age for reasons yet to be fully explored, but which most likely involves the age-related decline of the immune system. Research suggests a bidirectional relationship between immune aging and changes in the balance of microbial populations found in the intestines. The immune system is responsible for gardening the gut microbiome, removing unwanted microbes, but its capacity to do so declines with age. A growth in problematic microbial populations can produce disruptive, pro-inflammatory metabolites that provoke the immune system into a state of <a hr…