Fatigue

Feeling that persistent afternoon slump or noticing the subtle signs of aging creeping in? What if the answer to both lies not in another cup of coffee or the latest skincare trend, but in the bustling ecosystem within your gut?

 

This post dives into the compelling science, backed by research in journals like Cell and Nature, revealing the surprising link between your gut microbiome, your daily energy levels, and even the aging process. Discover how optimizing this often-overlooked area can unlock renewed vitality and a more resilient you.

 

Persistent fatigue and the subtle march of aging might share an unexpected root: your gut microbiome. This intricate community profoundly influences energy and longevity, a connection increasingly validated by high-impact research. An imbalanced gut (dysbiosis) disrupts the gut-brain axis, altering neurotransmitters crucial for energy and cognitive function (Strandwitz et al., Cell, 2018; Sharon et al., Cell, 2016). Furthermore, a compromised gut lining triggers systemic inflammation ("inflammaging"), a key driver of fatigue and age-related decline (Bischoff et al., BMC Gastroenterology, 2014; Hunter & Eckel, Nature Reviews Cardiology, 2019; López-Otín et al., Cell, 2013; Franceschi & Campisi, The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 2014).

Studies in the Journal of Clinical Investigation (Giloteaux et al., Microbiome, 2016) link specific gut profiles to chronic fatigue, while Nature Aging (Valdes et al., BMJ, 2018) highlights how beneficial gut bacteria produce anti-inflammatory short-chain fatty acids that protect against age-related issues. The gut's influence extends to neurotransmitter pathways involved in mood and energy (Hoyles et al., Molecular Psychiatry, 2019), and stress can significantly impact this delicate balance (Sudo, Neurogastroenterology & Motility, 2019).

Nurturing a diverse gut microbiome through a diet rich in prebiotic and probiotic foods, effective stress management, and judicious antibiotic use is paramount for sustained energy and healthy aging.

Conclusion

Prioritizing gut health isn't just about digestion; it's a fundamental strategy for sustained energy, enhanced vitality, and a more resilient journey through the years. Heed the whispers within – a balanced gut may be the key to unlocking enduring well-being.

Do you believe the connection between gut health, energy, and aging is currently underestimated?

References:

Strandwitz, P., Kim, T. W., Terekhova, V., Chaen, S., Cannavo, E., Sharma, V., Logan, R. W., Edelman, S., Rojahn, T. F., Yano, J. M., … Clardy, J. (2018). Gut bacteria produce a neurotoxin modulating host serotonin levels. Cell, 173(6), 1355-1368.e17.

Sharon, G., Sampson, T. R., Geschwind, D. H., & Mazmanian, S. K. (2016). The gut microbiome in neuropsychiatric disorders. Cell, 167(7), 1705-1718.

Bischoff, S. C., Barbara, G., Buurman, W., Ockhuizen, T., Schulzke, J. D., Serino, M., Tilg, H., Watson, A., & Wells, J. M. (2014). Intestinal permeability–a new target for disease prevention and therapy. BMC gastroenterology, 14(1), 1-12.

Hunter, D. G. W., & Eckel, R. H. (2019). The gut microbiota in cardiometabolic disease. Nature Reviews Cardiology, 16(1), 55-66.

López-Otín, C., Blasco, M. A., Partridge, L., Serrano, M., & Kroemer, G. (2013). The hallmarks of aging. Cell, 153(6), 1194-1217.

Franceschi, C., & Campisi, J. (2014). Chronic inflammation (inflammaging) and its potential contribution to age-associated diseases. The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 69(Suppl 1), S4-S9.

Giloteaux, L., Goodrich, J. K., Walters, W. A., Lombard, V., Knights, D., Knight, R., Metcalf, J. L., Knight, S. L., Yatsunenko, T., Brennan, C., ... Hanson, W. (2016). Reduced diversity and altered metabolic function of the gut microbiome in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. Microbiome, 4(1), 1-12.

Valdes, A. M., Walter, J., Segal, E., & Spector, T. D. (2018). Role of the gut microbiota in nutrition and health. BMJ, 361, k2179.

Hoyles, L., Snelling, T., Mendes Ferreira, A. C., Sheahan, D., Doheny, E.,щают, M. M., производят, M. I., & Cryan, J. F. (2019). Microbiome–host systems in health and disease: the gut–brain axis. Molecular psychiatry, 24(12), 1833-1850.

Sudo, N. (2019). Microbiome, HPA axis and production of endocrine hormones in the gut. Neurogastroenterology & Motility, 31(S2), e13562.

 

 

[1] Strandwitz, P., Kim, T. W., Terekhova, V., Chaen, S., Cannavo, E., Sharma, V., ... & Clardy, J. (2018). Gut bacteria produce a neurotoxin modulating host serotonin levels. Cell, 173(6), 1355-1368.e17.

 

[2] Sharon, G., Sampson, T. R., Geschwind, D. H., Mazmanian, S. K. (2016). The gut microbiome in neuropsychiatric disorders. Cell, 167(7), 1705-1718.

 

[3] Bischoff, S. C., Barbara, G., Buurman, W., Ockhuizen, T., Schulzke, J. D., Serino, M., ... & Wells, J. M. (2014). Intestinal permeability–a new target for disease prevention and therapy. BMC gastroenterology, 14(1), 1-12.

 

[4] Hunter, D. G. W., & Eckel, R. H. (2019). The gut microbiota in cardiometabolic disease. Nature Reviews Cardiology, 16(1), 55-66.

 

[5] Giloteaux, L., Goodrich, J. K., Walters, W. A., Lombard, V., Knights, D., Knight, R., ... & Hanson, W. (2016). Reduced diversity and altered metabolic function of the gut microbiome in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. Microbiome, 4(1), 1-12.

 

[6] Hoyles, L., Snelling, T., Mendes Ferreira, A. C., Sheahan, D., Doheny, E.,щают, M. M., ... & Cryan, J. F. (2019). Microbiome–host systems in health and disease: the gut–brain axis. Molecular psychiatry, 24(12), 1833-1850.

 

[7] López-Otín, C., Blasco, M. A., Partridge, L., Serrano, M., & Kroemer, G. (2013). The hallmarks of aging. Cell, 153(6), 1194-1217.

 

[8] Franceschi, C., & Campisi, J. (2014). Chronic inflammation (inflammaging) and its potential contribution to age-associated diseases. The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 69(Suppl 1), S4-S9.

[9] Valdes, A. M., Walter, J., Segal, E., & Spector, T. D. (2018). Role of the gut microbiota in nutrition and health. BMJ, 361, k2179.

 

[10] Sudo, N. (2019). Microbiome, HPA axis and production of endocrine hormones in the gut. Neurogastroenterology & Motility, 31(S2), e13562.