Gut Biodiversity in Centenarians: Diet, Bacteria & Long Life

This study looks at the gut bacteria of two special people in India: one a centenarian (100 + years old) and one a supercentenarian (110 + years old) who both follow a lacto-vegetarian diet (vegetarian with dairy). The goal: to see how their gut bacterial biodiversity (how many kinds and how well balanced) is. The idea: maybe their gut bacteria helped them live so long and stay healthy.

Why gut bacteria and this diet matter

Your gut is full of many bacteria; some help you digest food, protect you, regulate your immune system, and more. A diet like lacto-vegetarian can shape which bacteria thrive. The article suggests that in very old, healthy individuals, the gut bacterial community might be different than average. This could influence their health, aging and longevity.

What the research found / Key points

• The gut bacterial biodiversity in these two very old lacto-vegetarian Indian females was measured and found to show a variety of bacteria kinds
• Their abundance of beneficial bacteria was observed to be relatively healthy compared to what is seen in aging people.
• The diet plus lifestyle may have contributed to this gut bacterial profile.
• The study also notes that gut microbiota can help maintain gut barrier function, reduce inflammation, and thus possibly support healthier aging.

Key Take-aways

• Very old people who follow healthy diets have diverse and balanced gut bacterial communities.
• A lacto-vegetarian diet (plants + dairy) help support beneficial gut bacteria and higher biodiversity.
• Gut bacterial diversity might be one of the factors linked to healthy aging and longevity.
• For everyday life: supporting your gut bacteria (by eating plant-based foods, good fibre, dairy if you tolerate it) might help gut health which in turn may support overall health as you age.

Final Thoughts

This article is a reminder that our gut  and the bacteria inside it could play a big role in how well we age. In these two Indian women who lived exceptionally long and followed a lacto-vegetarian diet, their gut bacterial profiles looked promising. While we can’t say it’s a guaranteed path to living past 100, the research suggests that diet, gut microbes, and healthy aging are connected. For you and me, a simple takeaway is feed your gut well (plants, good dairy, fibre), give your gut microbes what they like, and support your gut health it might help your long-term health journey.