Gut health and ageing: a months-long personal investigation

A journalist had their gut microbiome tested and found broadly healthy but with some bacteria linked to risk; the report reviews studies that link greater gut diversity to longer, healthier lives while noting research is still emerging.

A journalist investigated whether the gut microbiome affects ageing by having a stool test and consulting specialists. The test was analysed at St Mary's Hospital by Dr James Kinross, who described the microbiome as broadly healthy but noted some bacteria linked to risk and an estimated gut "age" slightly older than the journalist's chronological age. The piece places this personal result alongside studies of centenarians, expert views, dietary plans from a dietician, and laboratory research on microbiome effects. Key details: - The journalist’s sample was evaluated at St Mary’s Hospital; Dr James Kinross described it as broadly healthy but noted the presence of E. coli and C. difficile and a gut profile comparable to someone about five years older, based on a small Italian study. - Researchers who studied centenarians, including Maria Branyas Morera, found higher gut microbial diversity in very old people and reported associations with markers of healthier ageing. - Experts such as Dr Mary Ni Lochlainn compare a healthy microbiome to a diverse garden and link greater diversity to lower frailty in older people, while others urge caution because the field is still developing. - A dietician provided a tailored meal plan that included fermented foods (kefir, yoghurt), seeds, legumes, vegetables, oily fish and suggested probiotics and supplements were discussed as part of the plan. These recommendations are reported as the professionals’ suggestions. - Laboratory research, including faecal transplant studies in mice, has produced results where microbiomes from older animals produced age-linked changes in recipients, supporting a possible causal role in some models. - Several specialists in the article note uncertainty and say diet is likely one of multiple factors in ageing; one researcher estimated diet may account for about one-third of ageing outcomes, with genetics and other lifestyle factors also important. Summary: The article presents a personal test result and reviews research that links gut microbial diversity with measures of healthier ageing, while highlighting remaining uncertainties and varying expert views. Undetermined at this time.