Tokyo Targeting Microbiota Conference will dedicate a session to “Microbiota and Longevity: Targeting Healthy Aging”.
This session will explore the fascinating connection between the microbiota and the aging process, addressing the critical question: Can we modulate aging through microbiota? Aging is associated with changes in the gut microbiota, which can lead to increased inflammation, weakened immunity, and a higher risk of age-related diseases such as metabolic disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and cardiovascular issues.
1. Age-Related Microbiota Shifts:
- Understanding how the composition and diversity of the microbiota change with age.
- Identifying specific microbial patterns associated with health or frailty in older individuals.
2. Microbiota-Immune System Interaction:
- Examining the role of the microbiota in modulating immune responses, particularly the reduction of chronic inflammation (“inflammaging”).
- Exploring how restoring microbiota balance can enhance immune function in aging populations.
3. Lessons from the Japanese Super Seniors:
- Insights from the Japanese population, known for their exceptional longevity and low incidence of age-related diseases.
- Investigating the role of their diet, rich in fermented foods and plant-based nutrients, in shaping a resilient microbiota that supports longevity.
- Understanding how the Japanese lifestyle and microbiota composition contribute to healthy aging and its implications for global aging populations.
4. Diet and Probiotics for Healthy Aging:
- Highlighting the impact of dietary interventions, prebiotics, and probiotics on microbiota composition and aging-related health outcomes.
- Investigating the role of fermented foods and traditional practices in promoting longevity.
5. Microbial Metabolites and Aging:
- Exploring the role of microbiota-derived metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), in protecting against cellular aging and oxidative stress.
- Investigating how microbial byproducts can influence the gut-brain axis and cognitive function.
6. Therapeutic Potential of Microbiota Modulation:
- Assessing microbiota-targeted interventions, including personalized microbiota therapies, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), and next-generation probiotics, to promote healthy aging.
- Exploring whether altering the microbiota can delay or reverse specific aspects of aging, such as loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia) or cognitive decline.
7. Future Directions and Biomarkers of Aging:
- Identifying microbiota-derived biomarkers that can predict biological age and guide interventions for longevity.
- Exploring the development of microbiota-based strategies to monitor and improve healthspan.
By addressing the potential of microbiota to modulate aging, this session aims to bridge traditional practices, like those of the Japanese super seniors, with cutting-edge scientific advancements, offering a comprehensive understanding of how microbiota science could revolutionize healthy aging and longevity.