Evolution: gut biome influences health and longevity (Introduction)

by David Turell , Sunday, June 04, 2023, 01:16 (537 days ago) @ David Turell

Japanese study of centenarians:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/05/230531150147.htm

"Studying 176 healthy Japanese centenarians, the researchers learned that the combination of intestinal bacteria and bacterial viruses of these people is quite unique.

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"Previous research has shown that the intestinal bacteria of old Japanese citizens produce brand new molecules that make them resistant to pathogenic -- that is, disease-promoting -- microorganisms. And if their intestines are better protected against infection, well, then that is probably one of the things that cause them to live longer than others," says Postdoc Joachim Johansen, who is first author of the new study.

"Among other things, the new study shows that specific viruses in the intestines can have a beneficial effect on the intestinal flora and thus on our health.

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"'We found great biological diversity in both bacteria and bacterial viruses in the centenarians. High microbial diversity is usually associated with a healthy gut microbiome. And we expect people with a healthy gut microbiome to be better protected against aging related diseases," says Joachim Johansen.

"Once we know what the intestinal flora of centenarians looks like, we can get closer to understanding how we can increase the life expectancy of other people. Using an algorithm designed by the researchers, they managed to map the intestinal bacteria and bacterial viruses of the centenarians.

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"'We have learned that if a virus pays a bacterium a visit, it may actually strengthen the bacterium. The viruses we found in the healthy Japanese centenarians contained extra genes that could boost the bacteria. We learned that they were able to boost the transformation of specific molecules in the intestines, which might serve to stabilise the intestinal flora and counteract inflammation," says Joachim Johansen, and Simon Rasmussen adds:

"'If you discover bacteria and viruses that have a positive effect on the human intestinal flora, the obvious next step is to find out whether only some or all of us have them. If we are able to get these bacteria and their viruses to move in with the people who do not have them, more people could benefit from them."

"Even though this requires more research, the new insight is significant, because we are able to modify the intestinal flora.

"'Intestinal bacteria are a natural part of the human body and of our natural environment. And the crazy thing is that we can actually change the composition of intestinal bacteria. We cannot change the genes -- at least not for a long time to come. If we know why viruses and intestinal bacteria are a good match, it will be a lot easier for us to change something that actually affects our health," says Simon Rasmussen."

Comment: The problems faced by theodicy is to have folks blame God for the bad things bacteria and viruses create. But this shows all the good things they can do. So the result of having bacteria and viruses is a mixed bag of results. That we must have exposure to bacteria and viruses for their good results. It is when bacteria and viruses end up in the wrong places they can cause much trouble. But on balance the good side wins with increasing human longevity. Critics of God (note dhw)see Him as cruel and sadistic. God cannot create a perfect form of life where there is no illness or cancer or other health disasters. What He has created works as well as it can. Be thankful for all the good God created. Dayenu! An old Hebrew word meaning it is enough.