This study showed that older mice have imbalances in the bacterial composition in the gut which then leads to the breakdown of the gut barrier and the release of bacterial products that trigger inflammation and impair immune function.

We know that inflammation has recently been identified as the key driver of aging in 4 different age groups including elderly, centenarians, semi-supercentenarians, and supercentenarians. We also know that lack of fermentable fiber starves the gut microbiome and causes the bacteria to eat the gut barrier which is made of carbohydrates and this results in the breakdown of the barrier and inflammation.

For more information on why fermentable fiber is so important for the gut microbiome and what good sources are…listen to my podcast with gut experts, Drs. Justin and Erica Sonnenburg. YouTube: https://youtu.be/gOZcbNw7sng