Graceful Aging Linked to the Bacteria in Your Belly

The next time you look in a mirror, think about this…

In many ways you’re more microbe than human.

There are 10 times more cells from microorganisms like the colonies of bacteria in your gut than there are human cells.

And as you’ve probably already learned, scientists are increasingly discovering how these microorganisms drastically influence our health.

…most recently even proving their influence on how well you age –but, more on that in a minute.

Ode to the Invisible

Obviously, these tiny friends of ours are completely invisible to the naked eye, which can make it pretty hard to really grasp what exactly is going on in that gut of yours.

So, to clear the air, NPR recently produced this entertaining animation that dives into the rich universe of the human microbiome…

Jack of All Trades

Mounting research now indicates the bacterial colonies residing in your gut may play key roles in fighting the development of cancer, asthma, allergies, obesity, diabetes, and even the array of autoimmune diseases

Even brain, behavioral, and emotional problems like ADHD, autism and depression are also included.

And, as I mentioned earlier, research also shows that your diet, and subsequently the microorganisms present in your gut, can affect how you age.

Bacterial Fountain of Youth

You see, it’s now known that at around age 60, there is a significant drop in the number of bacteria in your gut.

According to Dr. Sandra McFarlane from the microbiology and gut biology group at the University of Dundee, people over 60 typically have about 1,000-fold less “friendly” bacteria in their guts compared to younger adults.

And this drastically lower amount of good bacteria directly correlated with increased levels of the not-so-friendly, disease-causing microbes…making them more susceptible to gastrointestinal infections and bowel conditions like IBS.

This is why it’s absolutely critical to understand the positive impact probiotics can provide…

Immune Boosting Belly Bugs

During a study of seniors between the ages of 63 and 84, it was found that consumption of the probiotic strain, known as Bifidobacterium lactis, not only directly resulted in measurable increases of white cell counts, but also in their capacity to fight off disease.

These are the white cells that are absolutely critical to your ability to fight infection and life-threatening diseases such as cancer.

…and this is a pretty significant departure from the usual decline in immunity that’s seen as the body ages.

Build Up an Army

A great way to ensure optimal gut flora is to regularly eat fermented and cultured foods and avoid sugary and highly processed foods.

Delicious treats like raw, grass-fed yogurt as well as various pickled fermentations, like sauerkraut are definitely ground-zero for a healthy colony of gut flora.

Of course, there is a faster and much more powerful way of building up a standing army of these important digestive-defenders.

There are steps you can take to fortify the front-line of your immune system and help them fight off the dangerous belly-bugs that lie in wait for their chance to see a weakness and attack.

Learn more on the next page…