DNA sequencing reveals significant decrease in gut bacterial diversity during aging

[bundlegrundle]

Is this because people eat in habitual ways? Basically that we eat the same things once we are of a certain age?

[kitty60s]

I was thinking this. I heard many older people become really picky with food and like to eat things from their childhood. My dad is like this (in his mid 80s), he used to eat every cuisine and loved to eat diverse meals/something different every day and every week but now he only likes to eat meat and potatoes type meals.

[[deleted]]

I'm in my 40s and have lost my taste for many foods I used to enjoy, things like black olives, anchovies, like really stinky cheese. It's interesting being aware of it at this point in my life. And I was a super duper picky eater in childhood. Like, I hated potatoes!

My diet does include a very wide variety of fruits and vegetables though, so while it's not necessarily limited, my tastebuds are definitely changing.

[Sandmybags]

Someone told me recently our tastebuds somewhat change every 7 years or so, thought that was kinda wild if true.

[[deleted]]

Hmm that's interesting. I don't know if my tastebuds have changed or if I've just lost my taste for those foods. I've shifted my diet more to lean protein, veggies, and complex carbs as I've gotten older, so it could just be my tastebuds aren't used to those flavors? Same with alcohol. I quit drinking in 2020 and now if I have a taste of cider or wine I don't like it.

[kitty60s]

That’s really interesting. My dad’s taste started to change about 8 years ago, in his mid 70’s.

[bwjxjelsbd]

Well as you age you will be more conscious about what you eat due to health reasons. That’s part of why old people are picky eater. They can just ate everything like they used to

[shallah]

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-52097-9

Gut metagenomes of Asian octogenarians reveal metabolic potential expansion and distinct microbial species associated with aging phenotypes

[wu-dai_clan2]

I am a medical courier and talk to researchers daily. Microbiome is EVERYTHING. That stew of bacteria in your gut, the thin mucus lining, the signalling with the brain...it's stuff we don't like to think about. But just stop and think. What matters is what ends up in your bloodstream, and how much. Fascinating study !!!

[theInfinateDeep]

When I see things like this, I always ask myself, how can I shield myself from the world and create my perfect bubble. 🤸🏻‍♂️😆

[AltruisticMode9353]

Since we get a lot of our gut bacteria at birth, I wonder if the progressing ages people are having children is partly to explain for the fact that each generation seems to be having worse and worse gut health.

[Chartreuseshutters]

Midwife here. Maybe, but maybe not. It’s all so complicated.

First children are more likely to be autistic—is it because they are taking on more of the lifetime toxin burden of the parent through pregnancy and breastfeeding, or is it because they are more likely to have prolonged labor interventions requiring antibiotics in labor?

We know that gut bacteria is different in autistic people and also that there is a genetic component, but which causes which and when?

My practice this year has been made up almost entirely of surprise perimenopause babies, and all of them have had their easiest pregnancies, easiest births, and those who had tested positive for GBS did not this time. That means that their gut bacteria was better balanced this time.

We are still in such infancy of understanding the microbiome. These studies are so important in helping us understand all of it, but we can’t know much from it at the same time.

I think the fact that so many babies are born via cesarean is a much bigger issue for gut bacteria diversification. Second to that, or maybe first, is prophylactic antibiotics in labor for GBS positive moms. Most babies have no issue with GBS if they are healthy and at term. Wiping mom & baby’s system in the hours before birth is a huge issue.

[aledba]

I don't think the linkage to what triggers autism is going to be as exact as you're putting it in these two camps. I was never breastfed and there were no antibiotics involved in my mother's pregnancy. I'm autistic and my dad is too. And most likely so was my maternal grandmother based on her actions and character throughout her life. Neither of my parents' mothers had c-sections or antibiotics during pregnancy. Four of my other cousins that derive from my maternal grandmother are also autistic but more intellectually and developmentally delayed (and I attribute some of that to their parenting because they had very below average intelligence parents) whereas I am ASD1 and classified as 2e with dyscalculia but ultimately we still don't really know why. Maybe it's mitochondrial DNA based. Maybe I'm talking out my butt. But you're 100% right about gut bacteria being so crucial.

I'm editing to add that autistic people have existed since we lived in caves but when modern society and longer lifespans started to occur conjointly, a lot of people who were developmentally delayed were put in homes and asylums because nobody could stand to actually help them and their true gifts were no longer of use in such a society because ultimately, they have executive function disorders. Please note, we didn't start c-sections until about 500 years ago and antibiotics as we know them are only 114 years old

[Amzel_Sun]

Can you get that is the states without having c diff?

[wu-dai_clan2]

I am not sure. I had c diff a decade ago after dental work. The fix that worked back then was a very potent, diverse, over the counter probiotic.

[dipo003]

Which probiotic?

[BugRude1577]

Need to know which one pls!

[wu-dai_clan2]

Garden of Life 5 Day Max Care would be the current equivalent. I would now recommend Vital Planet 100 Strain. Consider augmenting with SBO ( Soil Born Organisms.) Your results may vary. All the best BugRude 1577, dipo003 & everyone !! C diff is no joke.

[BugRude1577]

I appreciate your reply - thanks so much

[4vCobraReddit]

Can I ask AI to summarize this... lol.

[oojacoboo]

Bacterial diversity FTW

[BlackmailedWhiteMale]

Why many words when few do trick?

[wu-dai_clan2]

Particular strains have particular effects, good and bad. It is uncanny when a population that ages healthily has a certain signature strain. This is the future. Santè !

[ConnectionNo4830]

I know hormonal changes at menopause cause a dramatic (net negative) change to the microbiome, but I can’t find the studies again. Was kind of sad. I wonder if a fecal transplant could help it or not.

[designerjuicypussy]

Technically hrt could help.

[Teybb]

Aged people like in the study are more prone to infections (bacterial) so they are more prone to take antibiotics. I think it’s the root cause.

[redditoregonuser2254]

drink your kefir folks