I came across a great research paper in which Akkermansia Muciniphila was found in abundance in the guts of long-lived individual. Could this bacteria be a gut focus for living well into our later years?
Read on for my thoughts on this research from the paper below -
Liu, S., Zhang, Z., Wang, X., Ma, Y., Ruan, H., Wu, X., … Zhao, W. (2024). Biosynthetic potential of the gut microbiome in longevous populations. Gut Microbes, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/19490976.2024.2426623
With increasing acceptance that the gut microbiome plays a key role in facilitating healthy aging, researchers are seeking to identify the precise mechanisms by which our microbes can help us to live longer. Biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) are groups of genes on the genomes of microbes that encode biosynthetic pathways to produce natural secondary metabolites, which mediate microbiota–host interactions and play vital roles in our health and disease.
Several studies have previously characterised the gut microbiota of centenarians (people living to 100 years+). However, secondary metabolites derived from BGCs of the gut microbiome from long-lived populations are not yet well understood. In the first study analysing BGCs using a large sample size of faecal metagenomic sequencing data in long-lived populations, researchers sought to identify distinct patterns of BGCs distinguishing longevity individuals from non-longevity individuals.
Methods: The study integrated datasets from six cohorts, including extremely long-lived, younger elderly individuals and young individuals. It was a large study analysing 1029 faecal samples.
Based on the findings, the researchers subsequently assembled 18 A. muciniphila draft genomes, using metagenomic data from the extremely long-lived individuals to gain a greater understanding of the beneficial metabolites associated with this species. To explore whether A. muciniphila can produce specific secondary metabolites, namely terpenoids, terpenoid metabolomics analysis of a A. muciniphila strain isolated from one extremely long-lived individual was performed under common culture conditions.
Results: The findings of the study revealed that extremely long-lived populations harboured a significantly different pattern of BGCs compared to younger elderly and young people. Terpene and several other BGCs showed the potential to discriminate longevity individuals from non-longevity individuals.
A positive relationship was uncovered between terpene BGCs and the abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila, which was found to be enhanced in the extremely long-lived individuals across at least three cohorts.
The outcomes suggested that the isolated A. muciniphila strain analysed had great potential to produce terpenoid metabolites, especially triterpenoids which may exert antidiabetic, anticarcinogenic, liver protective, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects on the host.
Conclusion: This first of its kind research provides insightful results suggesting a correlation between an abundance of A. muciniphila and longevity.
So what can we learn?
Of course, links between gut microbes and longevity are an evolving area of research. This paper suggests that an abundant presence of gut Akkermansia muciniphilia in centenarians may be a contributing factor to longer lifespans.
The use of dietary and lifestyle strategies to support and maintain the abundance of A. muciniphila throughout our lives could therefore, in theory, support longevity. The daily addition of polyphenols to the diet is a delicious way to ensure we are feeding this type of commensal.
Polyphenols - are compounds found in plants with anti-inflammatory properties.
You’ll find them in:
Fruit: Dark coloured berries including blackcurrants, blueberries, blackberries and elderberries.
Vegetables: Red onions, red chicory, globe artichoke heads and olives (technically olives are a fruit) are said to be particularly high
Nuts with their skin on: Especially chestnuts, almonds, pecans and hazelnuts
Tea: Green tea is a superb addition to the diet
Dried herbs, spices and seeds: Including flaxseed, cloves, oregano, thyme and rosemary. Herbs and spices have a very high concentration of polyphenols
Extra virgin olive oil
Feeding the gut on polyphenols is a great start. If you would like tailored dietary advice for longevity please do get in touch.