In a new study published in Nature Microbiology, researchers examined 195 centenarians from Japan and Sardinia and discovered a distinct gut microbiome that may unlock the secret to this population’s exceptional longevity.
This research represents a significant leap forward in understanding the pivotal role played by the gut microbiome in safeguarding health and combating diseases.
“We are always eager to find out why some people live extremely long lives,” first author of the study Joachim Johansen from the Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, said in a statement. “Previous research has shown that the intestinal bacteria of old Japanese citizens produce brand-new molecules that make them resistant to pathogenic—that is, disease-promoting—microorganisms.”…