Title : Microorganisms and probiotic diet on human health and longevity promotion
Abstract:
Human body is a home for trillions and trillions of tiny organisms - microbes/ bugs (bacteria, archaea, fungi, protozoa, viruses), collectively termed as the indigenous flora/microbiome of the body. A diverse microbiota is associated with every human being from shortly after birth until death, maximum of these living in the digestive tract, a warm and sheltered place filled with food, for their growth. Strikingly, humans have about 1013 cells in the body and about 1014 bacteria associated with them. These live in and upon our body as commensal organisms without causing any harm and even playing a significant beneficial role in providing good health, in our survival and increasing longevity. Several microbes are involved in digestion of food and synthesis of vitamins that their body require, including some B vitamins for metabolism and vitamin K for blood clotting, protection against infection, and even maintaining the reproductive health of a human being. Mycobacterium vaccae, called a wonder drug, a non- pathogenic soil bacterium, has been found useful in elevating the mood and antidepressant treatment. Bacillus subtilis protects our skin by producing bacitracin, a toxin that acts as an anti-microbial agent and protects from other pathogenic microorganisms. Microbiome-based treatment, especially Faecal-Microbiota Transplant (FMT), is being currently used for treating drug-resistant Clostridioides difficile (formerly called Clostridium difficile) infection (life-threatening damage to colon), and in diabetes treatment. Vaginal microbiota, especially vaginal Lactobacillus, has been found to protect against infectivity of HIV. P. goldsteinii is a novel probiotic bacterium that may be used to treat obesity and associated metabolic disorders. Unfriendly gut bacteria are linked to early ageing and reducing longevity. Recent study carried out working on the association of intestinal microbiota on dementia in aged people has found that increase in the intestinal population of Parabacterium goldsteini results to dementia in aged people. Consumption of fibrous food can help in preventing it. Consuming probiotics, the living beneficial microorganisms (bacteria, yeasts, molds), helps maintain a balanced gut microbiome and aids in digestion, support immune system, prevention of antibiotic-associated and traveller’s diarrhea, reduced bloating and constipation, mental health, risks of fatal diseases (diabetes, cancers, cardiovascular) and increase longevity. Common probiotic foods include: yogurt, curd, sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, pickles, tempeh, miso, cottage cheeses, kombucha, and cultured dairy drinks. Benefits of probiotics to human health is not new to science. Professor Elie Metchnikoff, a Russian, 1908 Noble Prize Winner, famous as “father of natural immunity", proposed in 1907 that consuming probiotics (lactic acid bacteria) could modify gut microbiota, replace harmful bacteria, and promote longevity. The centenarians who appeared healthy shortly before death almost always died from identifiable medical conditions rather than from old age alone. Vascular diseases are responsible as the leading cause of deaths among the aged people between 97 and 106 years old. Conquering age- related diseases through vaccines, using proper hygienic conditions, consuming probiotic foods, medication and controlling unfriendly gut bacteria could dramatically extend human life.
