Abstract
Changes in gut bacteria have been linked with the development of age-related disorders and chronic diseases, and research suggests that targeting the microbiome as part of the gut–brain axis may represent a therapeutic approach against some age-related conditions. Scientists at McGill University in Montreal have now shown how a combination of a probiotic formulation and an herbal supplement used in traditional Indian medicine can extend the lifespan of male Drosophila melanogaster fruit flies by 60%, and protect against age-related inflammation, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance, while improving mitochondrial function.
The researchers hope a combination of probiotics and the prebiotic Triphala formulation could help to prevent or treat human disorders ranging from diabetes and obesity, to neurodegeneration, chronic inflammation, depression, irritable bowel syndrome, and perhaps even cancer. They have filed a provisional U.S. patent and set up a company to continue R&D.
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