This gut microbe may help keep you strong as you age
Researchers have identified a gut bacterium, Roseburia inulinivorans, that is positively associated with muscle strength and mass. The study suggests this microbe could eventually be used as a probiotic to combat age-related muscle wasting.
Why it matters
This discovery offers a potential new therapeutic avenue for addressing frailty and physical decline in the aging population.
A species of gut bacteria called Roseburia inulinivorans is associated with greater muscle strength in people and improved muscle performance in mice, according to research published online in the journal Gut .
The findings suggest that R inulinivorans can alter metabolic activity inside muscle and increase the proportion of fast-twitch (type II) fibers, which are important for short bursts of intense activity such as sprinting and weightlifting.
Researchers from the Netherlands and Spain say the bacterium could potentially be developed into a nutraceutical probiotic aimed at age-related muscle wasting.
Loss of muscle mass and strength can contribute substantially to frailty, declining mobility and physical function, and poorer health. These problems become particularly important with advancing age and in people living with long-term conditions.
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