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Why gut health matters as we age

by Team RetreatPublished Medically reviewed by Dr. med. univ. Maria-Theresa Thiede

The gut is connected to the immune system and to metabolism. What of that is documented, what is not, and what helps day to day.

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Show contents
  1. What the gut has to do with the rest
  2. What is documented, and what is not
  3. What helps day to day
  4. What we offer on this

What the gut has to do with the rest

Trillions of microorganisms live in the gut. They do not only digest; they are also connected to the immune system and to metabolism. A large share of the immune cells sits in the gut lining.

What is documented, and what is not

It is documented that a fibre-rich, plant-forward diet supports the diversity of the gut flora. It is not documented that a younger biological age can be derived from it.

We write that out explicitly here, because online the sentence “studies show …” often stands without any studies.

What helps day to day

  • Variety rather than quantity. Vegetables, pulses and whole grains supply the fibre the gut flora lives on.
  • Fermented foods. Yoghurt, kefir, kimchi or sauerkraut, regularly and in small amounts.
  • Less heavily processed food. Sugar and additives shift the balance.
  • Sleep and movement. Both work here too, not only on the immune system.

What we offer on this

If you would like to make sense of this for yourself, that is possible within our longevity consultation: a conversation, blood values, and from those a recommendation, which may also be that nothing needs doing.

The sources below are the papers the statements in this text rest on. They are no substitute for a medical consultation.

Sources

Show sources (5)
  1. Wilmanski T, Diener C, Rappaport N, et al. Gut microbiome pattern reflects healthy ageing and predicts survival in humans. Nature Metabolism 2021;3(2):274–286.
  2. Wastyk HC, Fragiadakis GK, Perelman D, et al. Gut-microbiota-targeted diets modulate human immune status. Cell 2021;184(16):4137–4153.
  3. So D, Whelan K, Rossi M, et al. Dietary fiber intervention on gut microbiota composition in healthy adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2018;107(6):965–983.
  4. Vaiserman AM, Koliada AK, Marotta F. Gut microbiota: A player in aging and a target for anti-aging intervention. Ageing Research Reviews 2017;35:36–45.
  5. Vighi G, Marcucci F, Sensi L, Di Cara G, Frati F. Allergy and the gastrointestinal system. Clinical and Experimental Immunology 2008;153(Suppl 1):3–6.

Results vary from person to person. This page does not replace medical advice.

Understand first, then treat

If you would like to place any of this in the context of your own health: the next step is a conversation.

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