The Probiotic And Fruit Formula That Prolongs Life

The fruit fly is the laboratory animal preferred by many researchers to discover the effect of substances with preventive or therapeutic potential, especially when long-term effects are studied. They are the stars in many longevity studies. This is the case of a study carried out in India that wanted to test the effect of a mixture of probiotics and medicinal plants.

Dr. Satya Prakash wanted to see if a mixture of probiotics and medicinal plants used in Ayurveda – the traditional natural medicine of India – is capable of extending life.

A preparation based on bacteria and fruits prolongs life by 64%

To find out, Dr. Prakash started by administering the formula to fruit flies. This is the laboratory animal preferred by many researchers to find out the effect of substances with a preventive or therapeutic potential, because it shares 70% of the biochemical processes with humans. In particular they are interesting for longevity studies because they allow us to observe the effects throughout their short life.

The results of the study, which have been published in the journal Scientific Reports, show that the “longevity formula” extended the life of some flies up to 26 days. As the maximum life of flies with a normal diet is 40 days, the increase in life expectancy was 64%.

The main aging mechanisms are attenuated

The longevity of the flies could be explained by the improvements found in the main mechanisms of aging: inflammation markers, oxidative stress and insulin resistance.

Dr. Westerfall confessed that they never expected that the effects demonstrated by the probiotic and plant formula would achieve such spectacular effects. The preparation not only lengthens life, but also prevents chronic diseases related to age.

The objective of the supplement was to counteract the changes that accompany aging in people: a decline in the populations of bacteria of the Firmicutes and Bifidobacteria family, a reduction in the production of short-chain fatty acids, an increase in Bacteriodets and bacteria. inflammation markers.

Effect of the communication between the intestine and the brain

The authors say that the effects of their formula are explained by the theory of the gut-brain axis, a two-way communication system between microorganisms residing in the gut (the microbiota) and neurons. In recent years, studies on the microbiota have pointed out the importance of this communication pathway in the development of neurodegenerative diseases, depression or irritable bowel syndrome.

“Probiotics radically change the architecture of the intestinal microbiota, not only in its composition, but also in the way in which the food we eat is metabolized,” said Dr. Prakash.

The formula is patented by a company founded by Dr. Prakash and co-investigator Susan Westerfall, but the study was eligible for public funding from the Canadian Institute for Health Research and the Council for Natural Science and Engineering.

Lactobacilli and bacteria

The preparation includes three strains of probiotics:

• Lactobacillus plantarum NCIMB 8826 (Lp8826)
• Lactobacillus fermentum NCIMB 5221 (Lf5221)
• Bifidobacteria longum spp. infantis NCIMB 702255 (Bi702255).

The three bacteria were obtained from the National Collection of Industrial Foods and Marine Bacteria, based in Aberdeen (UK).

A traditional medicine from India

It also contains the mixture of plants called triphala, which acts as a prebiotic (food for probiotics) and provides antioxidant polyphenols, among other active principles.

The Ayurvedic preparation was provided for the study by the Ayurvedic Pharmacy of the Hindu University in Benares (India). Triphala is composed of three fruits:

• Amalaki ( Emblica officinalis ). Also known as Indian currant, it is a powerful antioxidant that contains high amounts of vitamin C. It stimulates immunity and has rejuvenating properties.
• Bibhitaki ( Terminalia bellirica ). It is a powerful laxative.
• Haritaki ( Terminalia chebula ). It is also a laxative and helps to eliminate residual substances from the intestine

In traditional Indian medicine, the main properties of triphala, which has been used for thousands of years, are:

• Stimulates the immune system
• Improves digestion
• Relieves constipation
• Cleanses the digestive system
• Reduce gas
• Help in case of diabetes
• It is used in some eye diseases