The Effects of Lifestyle and Diet on Gut Microbiota Composition, Inflammation and Muscle Performance in Our Aging Society

Abstract

Living longer is associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases, including impairments of the musculoskeletal and immune system as well as metabolic disorders and certain cancers, each of which can negatively affect the relationship between host and microbiota up to the occurrence of dysbiosis. On the other hand, lifestyle factors, including regular physical exercise and a healthy diet, can affect skeletal muscle and immune aging positively at all ages. Accordingly, health benefits could partly depend on the effect of such interventions that influence the biodiversity and functionality of intestinal microbiota. In the present review, we first discuss the physiological effects of aging on the gut microbiota, immune system, and skeletal muscle. Secondly, we describe human epidemiological evidence about the associations between physical activity and fitness and the gut microbiota composition in older adults. The third part highlights the relevance and restorative mechanisms of immune protection through physical activity and specific exercise interventions during aging. Fourth, we present important research findings on the effects of exercise and protein as well as other nutrients on skeletal muscle performance in older adults. Finally, we provide nutritional recommendations to prevent malnutrition and support healthy active aging with a focus on gut microbiota. Key nutrition-related concerns include the need for adequate energy and protein intake for preventing low muscle mass and a higher demand for specific nutrients (e.g., dietary fiber, polyphenols and polyunsaturated fatty acids) that can modify the composition, diversity, and metabolic capacity of the gut microbiota, and may thus provide a practical means of enhancing gut and systemic immune function.

Altered Fecal Microbiota Signatures in Patients With Anxiety and Depression in the Gastrointestinal Cancer Screening: A Case-Control Study

“…First, we measured the symptoms of anxiety and depression with the GAD-7 and PHQ-9 in the past 2 weeks. Second, the intestinal flora was greatly influenced by diet, lifestyle, geography, and age, and the composition was dynamic and fluctuating ( 41 , 42 ). Large-scale population studies found that antibiotics used in anti-infective treatment significantly increased the risk of individual psychological diseases such as anxiety and depression ( 43 , 44 ).…”

Mechanisms Linking the Gut-Muscle Axis With Muscle Protein Metabolism and Anabolic Resistance: Implications for Older Adults at Risk of Sarcopenia

“…Exercise/physical activity is a crucial component of any strategy designed to prevent and/or treat sarcopenia, which may be mediated, in part, by modulating the gut microbiome ( Strasser et al, 2021 ). Accordingly, the impact of exercise training in modulating the gut microbiota has primarily been established in physically active populations and animal models in the context of aerobic-based exercise ( Cerdá et al, 2016 ; Taniguchi et al, 2018 ; Morita et al, 2019 ; Przewłócka et al, 2020 ; Clauss et al, 2021 ).…”

The Role of Gut Microbiota in Aging and Aging Related Neurodegenerative Disorders: Insights from Drosophila Model

“…Aging reduces the biodiversity of human gut microbiota and the abundance of Bifidobacteria , Lactobacilli , and short chain free fatty acids (SCFAs) producers, such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii , Eubacterium spp., Roseburia spp., and Ruminococcus spp. [ 13 ]. Studies carried out in China and Italy separately report that microbial community richness contributes to longevity [ 14 , 15 ].…”