Brain HealthYour Gut Bacteria May Predict How Fast Your Brain Is Aging
A new UCLA study of nearly 1,500 adults found that people whose brains appeared older than their actual age — measured by brain scan communication patterns — also showed specific differences in gut bacteria and their chemical byproducts. Participants with an older-looking brain scored worse on working memory and executive function tests and reported more depression symptoms. In a subset of participants, stool samples revealed that faster brain aging correlated with particular gut bacteria, certain fat molecules, a cholesterol-related compound, and lower levels of the hormone estetrol. The pathways involved immune function, blood vessel health, brain cell communication, and cellular energy production. Researchers say these biological signals may be detectable decades before obvious cognitive decline begins, raising the possibility that the gut microbiome could become a target for early intervention.
