{"id":10797,"date":"2024-12-20T13:02:46","date_gmt":"2024-12-20T21:02:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brianesty.com\/bodywork\/?p=10797"},"modified":"2024-12-20T13:15:19","modified_gmt":"2024-12-20T21:15:19","slug":"why-eating-less-slows-ageing-this-molecule-is-key","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brianesty.com\/bodywork\/2024\/12\/why-eating-less-slows-ageing-this-molecule-is-key\/","title":{"rendered":"Why eating less slows ageing: this molecule is key"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A naturally occurring compound involved in digestion lengthens lifespan in flies and makes old mice more youthful.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why eating less slows aging: this molecule is key<\/strong><\/a><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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Lithocholic acid<\/strong>, also known as 3\u03b1-hydroxy-5\u03b2-cholan-24-oic acid<\/strong> or LCA<\/strong>, is a bile acid<\/a> that acts as a detergent to solubilize fats for absorption. Bacterial action in the colon<\/a> produces LCA from chenodeoxycholic acid<\/a> by reduction of the hydroxyl<\/a> functional group at carbon-7 in the “B” ring of the steroid<\/a> framework.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Can Probiotics Help with Lithocholic Acid Synthesis?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lithocholic acid (LCA) is a secondary bile acid synthesized by certain gut bacteria through the 7\u03b1-dehydroxylation<\/strong> of primary bile acids like cholic acid (CA)<\/strong> and chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA)<\/strong>. These metabolic processes primarily involve bacteria native to the gut, such as Clostridium scindens<\/strong> and related species. The question arises: Can you obtain these LCA-producing bacteria through probiotics? Let\u2019s explore this in detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Role of Gut Flora in LCA Synthesis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

LCA production hinges on the activity of specific gut bacteria capable of modifying bile acids. Key players include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Clostridium species<\/strong>: Especially Clostridium scindens<\/strong>, well-documented for its 7\u03b1-dehydroxylation activity. Other contributors include Clostridium hiranonis<\/strong> and Clostridium leptum<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Eubacterium species<\/strong>: Strains within this genus also participate in secondary bile acid metabolism.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    These bacteria are anaerobic and part of the normal gut microbiota. However, they are not typically included in commercial probiotics due to their strict growth requirements and regulatory challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n\n\n\n

    Probiotics and Indirect Support for LCA Production<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Although probiotics do not usually contain LCA-producing bacteria, they can indirectly support LCA synthesis by creating an optimal gut environment. Here are some ways probiotics may help:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. Enhancing Native Microbiota<\/strong>:
      Probiotics like Lactobacillus<\/strong> and Bifidobacterium<\/strong> improve gut health and support the native gut flora, including LCA producers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Promoting Bile Acid Transformation<\/strong>:
      Some probiotic strains can deconjugate primary bile acids, producing free bile acids that gut bacteria can convert into LCA.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Balancing the Gut Environment<\/strong>:
      Probiotics can maintain a healthy gut environment, ensuring that harmful bacteria do not outcompete beneficial LCA-producing species.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
      \n\n\n\n

      Probiotics That May Influence Bile Acid Metabolism<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      While standard probiotics do not directly produce LCA, certain strains can indirectly support bile acid metabolism:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • Lactobacillus rhamnosus<\/strong>: Known to bind bile acids and potentially reduce the harmful effects of excess LCA.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Bifidobacterium breve<\/strong>: Promotes gut health by maintaining microbial balance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Saccharomyces boulardii<\/strong>: A probiotic yeast that supports gut barrier function and may indirectly assist bile acid metabolism.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
        \n\n\n\n

        How to Support LCA Production Naturally<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
          \n
        1. Dietary Adjustments<\/strong>:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
            \n
          • Eat foods rich in prebiotics<\/strong>, like resistant starch, inulin, and fibrous vegetables, to feed beneficial gut bacteria.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Include healthy fats and bitter greens, stimulating bile flow and enhancing bile acid metabolism.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
              \n
            1. Probiotic Supplements<\/strong>:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                \n
              • Use broad-spectrum probiotics to increase microbial diversity, indirectly supporting LCA-producing bacteria.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                  \n
                1. Emerging Therapies<\/strong>:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                    \n
                  • While not yet widely available, future anaerobic probiotics may include strains like Clostridium scindens<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT)<\/strong> can restore a balanced gut microbiome, including potential LCA producers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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                    Conclusion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                    Though commercial probiotics do not directly provide LCA-producing bacteria, they play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy gut environment that supports these native species. Combining probiotics with a diet rich in prebiotics and bile-stimulating foods can optimize conditions for natural LCA synthesis. As research progresses, advanced probiotics may one day include specific LCA-producing strains, offering a more direct solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    By fostering a healthy gut microbiome, you not only support bile acid metabolism but also enhance overall digestive and systemic health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                    A naturally occurring compound involved in digestion lengthens lifespan in flies and makes old mice more youthful. Why eating less slows aging: this molecule is key Lithocholic acid, also known as 3\u03b1-hydroxy-5\u03b2-cholan-24-oic acid or LCA, is a bile acid that acts as a detergent to solubilize fats for absorption. Bacterial action in the colon produces LCA from chenodeoxycholic acid by reduction of the hydroxyl functional group […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,43],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10797","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","category-nutrition"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t