Most of us associate our gut microbiome with digestive health.

Researchers are now uncovering how the gut microbiome shapes the way we age—and how aging, in turn, reshapes the microbiome.^1,2

A healthy gut microbiome supports normal metabolism and helps keep inflammation in check, whereas an unhealthy microbiome, known as dysbiosis, can promote chronic inflammation that contributes to age-related disease.^3,4

Improving our microbiome with probiotics has emerged as a promising strategy to support healthier aging.^5-7

• In a small preliminary human trial, a blend of two probiotics slowed age-related telomere shortening in older adults,⁸ and, in other human studies, reduced inflammatory markers.^9,10
• A third probiotic, in another human trial, modestly lowered LDL ("bad") cholesterol, with larger reductions in people with high baseline cholesterol, a cardiovascular risk factor,¹¹ and
• In animal studies, a non-living, heat-treated form of a beneficial bacterium (a 'postbiotic') extended lifespan in worms and improved gut, physical, and thinking ability in older mice.¹²

Carefully selected probiotics, and possibly postbiotics, may support healthy aging and a healthier microbiome.

Targeting Drivers of Aging

Scientists have identified several "hallmarks of aging"—underlying biological processes that contribute to degenerative decline.¹³

One of these is gut dysbiosis, or microbial imbalance.

As people age, this imbalance often develops and may contribute to chronic inflammation creating a cascade of health problems.^13-15

An unhealthy gut microbiome can weaken the gut barrier, allowing harmful compounds to enter the bloodstream and promote inflammation.^16,17

Dysbiosis and chronic inflammation are linked to a higher risk of age-related diseases, including:

• Obesity,¹³
• Type 2 diabetes,¹³
• Cancer,¹³
• Frailty and sarcopenia,¹⁸
• Cardiovascular disease,¹³ and
• Neurological conditions such as cognitive decline.¹⁹

Dysbiosis is not inevitable.

Healthy centenarians (people 100 years or older) often retain a diverse, well-balanced gut microbiome that in several respects resembles that of younger adults—preserving microbial diversity and populations of beneficial gut bacteria rather than the dysbiosis commonly seen with aging.^20,21

Long-lived individuals tend to have higher levels of beneficial bacteria such as Akkermansia and Bifidobacterium.^22,23 These microbes produce short-chain fatty acids that strengthen the gut lining and help control inflammation.^16,24,25

Early evidence suggests that carefully selected probiotics, and possibly postbiotics, may help shift the aging gut microbiome toward a more beneficial profile, though human trial results are still mixed, and the benefits appear modest.^5,14

Taking a carefully selected mix of probiotics and a postbiotic may help promote a healthier microbiome to support healthier aging.

Proven Probiotic Duo

Researchers isolated two beneficial bacterial (probiotic) strains from healthy older adults and confirmed that they can survive digestion and adhere to the intestinal lining.^26-28

• Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus IMC 501®
• Lacticaseibacillus paracasei IMC 502®

Together, these probiotics have been studied for their role in healthy aging.

In a clinical trial of 97 older adults, participants who received the probiotic blend experienced several positive changes compared with those who did not receive the probiotics. These included:¹⁰

• Increased beneficial bacteria, including Lactobacillus, Akkermansia, and Bifidobacterium,
• Reduced levels of potentially harmful Proteobacteria,
• Lower CRP (C-reactive protein), a marker of low-grade inflammation associated with cardiovascular risk, and
• Increased production of short-chain fatty acids, which help support gut and immune health.

Additional studies of the same probiotic combination found further benefits, including:

• Reduced inflammatory cytokines,⁹
• Increased IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1), which helps support muscle maintenance,⁹
• Improved nutritional status and lower risk of malnutrition,⁹ and
• Slowed shortening of telomeres in white blood cells, a marker associated with healthy aging and cardiovascular health.^8,29

In a separate 15-day study of premenopausal women, daily supplementation with 5 billion CFU of the same probiotic blend also reduced levels of harmful vaginal bacteria.³⁰

Heart Health

Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. In 2023, about one in six cardiovascular deaths occurred before age 65.³¹

Targeted probiotics, including certain Lactobacillus strains, may help support heart health by altering bile acid metabolism and promoting cholesterol clearance.^32,33

Lactobacillus plantarum ECGC 13110402 was selected for its cholesterol-reducing capacity, along with good survival through the digestive tract.³⁴

In a six-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot trial of 16 adults with elevated cholesterol (total cholesterol about 232 mg/dL), daily intake of 4 billion CFU of L. plantarum ECGC 13110402 produced significant improvements in cholesterol measurements compared with placebo, including a:¹¹

• 35% reduction in total cholesterol,
• 28% reduction in LDL ("bad") cholesterol,
• 18% reduction in non-HDL cholesterol (atherogenic cholesterol), and
• 29% reduction in apoB (apolipoprotein B), an atherogenic lipid-carrying protein.

Postbiotic Protection

Postbiotics are non-living bacterial compounds that support gut, immune, and microbiome health. They complement probiotics and help promote a healthy gut microbiome.^35,36

Lactobacillus paracasei D3-5 is a heat-treated, non-living postbiotic that has shown promising benefits.

In studies of older mice, L. paracasei D3-5 and one of its natural components helped:¹²

• Strengthen the gut barrier,
• Decrease inflammation,
• Support metabolic health and immune function, and
• Regulate the gut-brain axis to improve physical performance and cognition.

In the roundworm C. elegans, a standard aging model,³⁷ a heat-killed (no longer alive) form of L. paracasei D3-5 improved physical function and extended lifespan.¹²

In a small human pilot study of healthy older adults, daily intake of heat-treated L. paracasei D3-5 for one month eased digestive discomfort and supported emotional well-being.³⁸

Pairing this postbiotic with proven probiotics could reinforce microbial balance and support healthier aging.

Summary

A healthy microbiome can support healthy metabolism and modulate inflammatory response, while an unhealthy microbiome may promote age-related
disease.

A probiotic blend of L. rhamnosus IMC 501® and
L. paracasei IMC 502® has been clinically shown to lower inflammation and slow telomere shortening.

A third probiotic strain, L. plantarum ECGC 13110402, reduces harmful cholesterol.

Heat-treated L. paracasei D3-5, a postbiotic, increased lifespan in an animal aging model and eased digestive symptoms in a small human study.

Combining these probiotic and postbiotic approaches may help promote a more youthful microbiome to support healthy aging.

If you have any questions on the scientific content of this article, please call a Life Extension Wellness Specialist at 1-866-864-3027.

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