Mixtures of probiotics and polyphenol-rich plants can extend lifespan
Scientists from McGill University in Canada have found that synbiotics, mixtures of probiotics and polyphenol-rich plants, can extend lifespan and reduce the risk of disease in old age, Lenta reported.
The experiments were carried out on fruit flies, Drosophila melanogaster, which, according to the scientists, share a 70% similarity with mammals in terms of metabolism. The flies were fed synbiotics and their lifespan turned out to be 66 days, i.e. 26 days longer than their peers in the control group, which were on their usual diet. The insects fed synbiotics were also less affected by insulin resistance, inflammation and oxidative stress.
The synbiotics were created from the probiotics Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus fermentum and Bifidobacteria longum with TFLA supplements, mixtures of dry ingredients from the plants Emblica officinalis, Terminalia bellirica and Terminalia chebula.
The result obtained can be explained by the existence of the gut-brain axis: the state of the microbiota in the gastrointestinal tract may be decisive for that of the nervous system and may even influence depression and the development of neurodegenerative diseases in old age. The scientists nevertheless caution that synbiotics may not have as strong an effect on humans as on insects.
The results of the study have been published in Scientific Reports.