There are 2 scientific journals that are considered by many as the most highly respected, Cell and Nature. Cell, published a paper in January of 2023: Hallmarks of aging: An expanding universe. This is the first time that I am aware of where Dysbiosis was acknowledged as a hallmark of the aging process. It is so important that we all recognize the role of the intestinal microbiome and what dysbiosis means.
Dysbiosis is a term that is used to describe the dieoff, breakdown or imbalance that can develop in your intestinal microbiome. Your intestinal microbiome is the term used to describe the trillions of microorganisms, mostly bacteria that reside along the walls of your intestinal tract, mostly along your large intestine. These microbes are responsible for the health of your immune system, they influence your mood, food cravings, and energy levels; they are simply a vital part of our existence. This paper acknowledges that as we age the balance of these microbes, the overall quantity, and diversity of different types of microbes decline.
There are 12 hallmarks mentioned in the paper and there are suggestions on how to slow the decline of these markers. There is no way to make yourself last forever but the more you do to delay these hallmarks from showing up in your life, the longer you will last and the better quality you will enjoy in life.
What does the summary of recommended actions state? Exactly what you think, if you’ve been reading my emails:
- Healthy Diet
- The right supplements (NAD+ and NMN were highlighted in the paper, available on my Fullscript Store)
- Sleep
- Exercise
- Avoiding chemical exposure
- Caloric restriction
The study also mentions some medications that will hopefully have an impact on longevity but are not readily available right now.
As far as dysbiosis goes, the study recommends 2 probiotics:
- Lactobacillus plantarum GKM3
- Akkermansia muciniphila
It also recommends fecal transplantation, which is not readily available.
What have I recommended for dysbiosis over the past 30 years? A 4R program.
- Remove harmful foods from your diet and kill off harmful microorganisms with a blend of herbs.
- Restore digestive enzymes. The most common enzymes needed for restoration are Betaine Hydrochloride ( stomach acid) and Pepsin. However, there are many other enzyme blends that I recommend. My favorite is a powder named Repairvite made by Apex Energetics.
- Reinoculate the gut – using probiotics at times(like the two mentioned above) and prebiotics(plant fibers), like inulin, chicory, garlic, and onion. A product named Endefen made by Metagenics is a great source as well.
- Repair your gut lining and mucous membranes with supplements like L-Glutamine, marshmallow, licorice, and aloe.- Repairvite is again a source for these.
One thing I have learned about implementing 4R programs with hundreds of people over the years is that the best way to do it is to individualize the recommended diet changes and supplement recommendations to fit your particular needs.
If you’d like a protocol to guide you through a general 4R protocol, reach out to me and I will send you a link through Fullscript, my online dispensary. It may be best to individualize but experimenting with a solidly researched general 4R protocol may be helpful to you with much less investment in time and money.
I hope you learned a bit more and I’m ready to field your responses.
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Yours in health,
