Nutrient Intake Is Associated with Longevity Characterization by Metabolites and Element Profiles of Healthy Centenarians

Abstract

The relationships between diet and metabolites as well as element profiles in healthy centenarians are important but remain inconclusive. Therefore, to test the interesting hypothesis that there would be distinctive features of metabolites and element profiles in healthy centenarians, and that these would be associated with nutrient intake; the short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), total bile acids and ammonia in feces, phenol, p-cresol, uric acid, urea, creatinine and ammonia in urine, and element profiles in fingernails were determined in 90 healthy elderly people, including centenarians from Bama county (China)—a famous longevous region—and elderly people aged 80–99 from the longevous region and a non-longevous region. The partial least squares-discriminant analysis was used for pattern recognition. As a result, the centenarians showed a distinct metabolic pattern. Seven characteristic components closely related to the centenarians were identified, including acetic acid, total SCFA, Mn, Co, propionic acid, butyric acid and valeric acid. Their concentrations were significantly higher in the centenarians group (p < 0.05). Additionally, the dietary fiber intake was positively associated with butyric acid contents in feces (r = 0.896, p < 0.01), and negatively associated with phenol in urine (r = −0.326, p < 0.01). The results suggest that the specific metabolic pattern of centenarians may have an important and positive influence on the formation of the longevity phenomenon. Elevated dietary fiber intake should be a path toward health and longevity.

Environmental/lifestyle factors in the pathogenesis and prevention of type 2 diabetes

“…Data for Okinawa, Sicily, Sardinia, Linda Loma (California, USA) and Bama county (China) suggest some similarity to the above conclusions from epidemiological studies of a ‘healthy’ diet, i.e. a dominance of vegetables and fruit over animal food, and of whole grains over refined carbohydrates [35–38]. However, it should not be overlooked that there is a substantial contribution from other factors to healthy ageing, such as genetic background, epigenetic DNA methylation status, physical activity or daily work until high age, an active social network, and low smoking rates and alcohol consumption [39, 40].…”

Gut microbiota changes in the extreme decades of human life: a focus on centenarians

“…In a larger cohort of 2327 individuals with metabolite data available, higher concentrations of isocitrate but not taurocholate were also associated with worse health conditions [ 72 ]. On the other hand, centenarians from the Bama County in China showed decreased levels of PCS but increased levels of fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and total bile acids [ 73 ]. Intestinal commensal bacteria metabolize host-derived bile salts [ 74 ].…”

“…Thus, changes in age-associated microbiome composition could impact on bacterial metabolism of steroid compounds and ultimately steroid hormones in peripheral tissues. Chinese centenarians have high levels of bile acids [ 73 ], suggesting a pro-longevity role. However, studies on different populations reported that increased levels of secondary bile acids are associated with an increased risk of age-associated diseases [ 72 ] and specific diseases of the gastrointestinal tract system [ 75 ].…”

Spring mineral water-borne bacteria reshape gut microbiota profiles and confer health benefits

“…It was documented that longevity of Bama centenarians is correlated with the genetic difference, mainly the polymorphism of several related genes, such as apolipoprotein C-I [21], paraoxonase 1 [22], catechism-O-methyl transferase [23], methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase [24], peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor delta [25], cholesterol ester transfer protein [26], microsomal triglyceride transfer protein [27], and mitochondrial DNA [28]. Alternatively, dietary fibers [29] and mineral elements [30] were also attributed to longevity although the mechanisms involved are awaiting revelation.…”