GROUNDBREAKING STUDY: SYNERGY OF GUT HEALTH AND NUTRITION FOUND TO ACTIVELY SLOW BIOLOGICAL AGING
A landmark double-blind controlled trial has identified a powerful nutritional intervention capable of slowing the biological clock. Published in the Journal of Ageing and Longevity it revealed that a specific combination of probiotics and plant-based phytochemicals significantly improved testosterone, strength, and inflammation – Key hallmarks of longevity.
Background:
The rate of ageing is a complex interplay between our genetics, environment and lifestyle. As we age, systemic inflammation increases, grip strength (GS) declines and in men testosterone levels tend to fall – all of which can measured as an estimate of our biological age. People who have a biological age greater than their chronological age not only look and feel older, they have a significant increased risk of life-impacting chronic degenerative disease such as arthritis, cancer, diabetes, stroke, heart disease, dementia to mention a few.
Modifiable lifestyle factors which affect lifespan or more importantly Health span, include regular strength and aerobic exercise, obesity, calorie restriction, stress, sleep, the intake of fibre and phytochemical rich foods such as colourful, aromatic herbs, spices, fruit and vegetables.
Plant Phytochemicals have the ability to augment oxidative enzymes which protect our DNA from Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). They also directly dampen excessive harmful inflammation but more recently their role in supporting the gut microbiome has become more apparent.
The gut microbiome also deteriorates with age – becoming less diverse and more inflammatory. People with a poorer gut microbiome (dysbiosis) have impaired immune surveillance, more oxidative stress and higher whole body inflammation. In addition to these important defence pathways, it is increasingly recognised that dysbiosis is linked lower age adjusted testosterone levels and muscle strength, all of which are key biomarkers of longevity.
Synergy between probiotics and phytochemicals: High fibre, fermented, probiotic bacteria rich plants supply the gut with the “healthy” bacteria but phytochemicals help them colonise, displace the unhealthy varieties and thrive through several mechanisms. For example, the fibre and prebiotic phytochemicals found in broccoli, cranberries, tea, and ginger help the formation of short-chain fatty acids such as butyrate that provide energy for favourable bacteria as well as the cells lining the gut wall, improving integrity. Phytochemicals in pomegranate enhance the formation of a protective biofilm, facilitating adhesion, aggregation, and colony formation.. This synergy is mutual, as probiotic bacteria also aids the breakdown of phytochemicals into more readily absorbed, bioactive subunits, hence enhance their multiple health benefits.
Rationale for this study
Although the links between longevity, gut health and phytochemicals are convincing, what is less established is whether prospective nutritional interventions could slow the natural rate of decline. What’s more, previous studies have tended to look at these two nutritional powerhouses individually and not in combination – hence the rationale for its design.
The Study evaluated the impact, and explored the synergistic potential, of boosting phytochemical rich foods and lactobacillus probiotics on three key biomarkers of longevity. It was conducted at the Oncology Department of Bedford Hospital, part of the Cambridge University Hospitals network, in partnership with the Institute of Sport Science Bedford University, The Department of Urology and Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of California and the Exercise Medicine Research Institute, Edith Cowan University, Australia.
208 men with an average age 74 years were give two capsules a day of a phytochemical rich supplement (PRS) containing fortified broccoli, green tea, pomegranate, ginger, cranberries and turmeric (now called YourPhyto). In addition, they were randomised to take another 2 capsules containing either containing an inert placebo or an unique blend of 5-lactobacillus probiotics with built-in inulin prebiotic and vitamin D (now called Yourgutplus).
The results exceeded all expectations:
Grip strength, measured with an Electronic Hand Dynamometer, improved by a statistically significant 7.8% from baseline to the end of the 4 month intervention. Many of the men in the study reported they felt stronger and fitter. Men randomised to also take the probiotics complex had an even greater (46%) improvement, confirming the synergistic benefits of dietary combination. This difference was highly statistically significant (P < 0.001, 95% CI: 3.6-5.2).
Systemic inflammation measured by the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio was 29% lower in the combined arm. This difference was statistically significant (p= 0.04. 95% CI:0.03-1.53).
Testosterone. The average serum testosterone level at 4 months for men in combined arm was 12% higher. This difference was significantly significant (p=0.046, 95% CI 0.23 to 3.33 ng/l).
Key conclusion and implications:
This nationally ethically approved, scientific trial has provided strong evidence that boosting dietary phytochemicals and lactobacillus with these specifically design capsules can reverse the physical and biological decline of three vital, measurable biomarkers of longevity. Although longer duration trials are planned, this novel data implies, these readily available practical nutritional tools would help support lifestyle strategies that could reduce biological age – hence help people live stronger and healthier for longer.
Full reference: Thomas R, Williams M, Aldous, JF, Kenfield SA, Newton RU. The Effect of Boosting Dietary Lactobacillus and Phytochemical Rich Foods on Biomarkers of Longevity – A Phase II Randomised Placebo Controlled Trial. J. Ageing Longev. 2026, 6, 35. https://doi.org/10.3390/jal6020035
Appendix:
About the Authors:
Professor Robert Thomas MRCP MD FRCR
Consultant Clinical Oncologist, Addenbrooke’s and Bedfordshire Cambridge University Hospital and NHS Trusts, C/o The Primrose Research Unit, Bedford Hospital. MK42 9DJ
robert.thomas14@nhs.net Tel: +44 (0)7715110919
Professor Stacey Kenfield ScD
Helen Diller Family Chair in Population Science for Urologic Cancer.
Departments of Urology and Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), Mission Hall, Box 1695, 550 16th Street, 6th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94143,
stacey.kenfield@ucsf.edu,
+415476 5392
Professor Robert U. Newton PhD DSc AEP FACSM FESSA FAHMS
Vice-Chancellor’s Professorial Research Fellow and Professor of Exercise Medicine
Exercise Medicine Research Institute
Edith Cowan University, Joondalup WA 6027, Perth, Western Australia
r.newton@ecu.edu.au; Tel: 61 8 6304 3443, mobile: 61 (0)419 907 774.
Ms Madeleine Williams BA (Hons) PgDip
Research Manager, The Primrose Research Unit, Bedford Hospital, Bedford. MK42 9DJ
madeleine.williams@bedsft.nhs.uk | +44 (0)1234 795787
Dr Jeffrey Aldous PhD MCASES
Senior Lecturer in Exercise Physiology, The Institute of Sport and Physical Activity Research (ISPAR) University of Bedfordshire, Bedford Campus, Polhill Avenue, Bedford. MK41 9EA
jeffrey.aldous@beds.ac.uk | 44 (0)1234 793493
Compliance: The manufacturers, ensured the Yourphyto and Yourgutplus supplements complied with international food standards including heavy metal, pesticide and microbial analysis. They were made in the UK with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certification.
Funding declaration: Peer reviewed sponsorship was received from the charity “The Bedford Patient Support” for the statistical plan and analysis. The phytochemical rich supplements, were specifically made by the UK manufacture’s (Redrose Manufacturing Ltd,) and supplied to the trial unit at zero cost. The probiotic complex, made by Oxford Health Ltd) were also supplied at zero cost to the trials unit.
Conflict of Interest: No member of the scientific committee received any financial incentive to help with this study. The participants received no financial rewards to be recruited although they received the supplements free of charge. The authors received no sponsorship, travel grants or speakers fees to participate or present the trial findings. No authors have any financial connection to the manufacturers, who made the nutritional capsules which were supplied to the trials unit free of charge.
Ethics approval , consent to participate, registration and authorisation: The Hospital Research and Development and UK National Ethics committees approved the protocol and all amendments (IRAS: 321309). The trial was logged with UK Clinical Trials Registry (ISRCTN: 81939514). The trial was conducted according to the provisions of the Declaration of Helsinki and consort guidelines for randomised controlled Trials. At the end of the trial, the data was independently audited to ensure no inconsistencies or deviation from source data, before being sealed and sent to the external statistician for blind analysis. All participants provided written informed consent.
The Interventions:
The phytochemical-rich food supplement now known as YourPhyto contained four the same combination of foods found to be safe in prior research but this version contained additional cranberry and ginger. In total, it contained six different food types which provided a wide spectrum of synergistically acting phytochemicals yet avoiding over consumption of one particular type which could have led to toxicity. This supplement was also blended concentrated extracts from the same plants increasing phytochemical levels. These were measured and standardised to ensure a greater consistency. Men took 2 capsules a day, each containing curcuma Longa (150 mg) and 50:1 extract, standardised to curcuminoids 95% 500mg. Pomegranate (punica granatum 150 mg and 50:1 extract,) standardised to 90% ellagic Acid (500mg), Green tea (camellia sinensis 3:1 extract), standardised to 45% EGCG (150 mg). broccoli (brassica oleracea 150mg)Ginger (zingiber officinale Roscoe 5mg) and cranberry (vaccinium subg. oxycoccus, extract 25:1 100mg).
The probiotic intervention now known as Yourgutplus contained 10 Billion colony forming bacterial units, plus prebiotics (Inulin and cholecalciferol) in a delayed release shell. This specific combination had been evaluated in 3 previous clinical trials (Covid and prostate cancer) and found to be safe and well-tolerated. Each capsule contained: Lactobacillus rhamnosus 300 CFU, 5.6mg; Lactobacillus plantarum 500 CFU, 5.6mg; Lactobacillus paracasei 300 CFU, 835μg; Lactobacillus bulgaricus 50 CFU, 100mg; Lactococcus lactis 200 CFU, 835 μg; Inulin 90%, 100 mg; Vitamin D, 2.2mg (500 IU).