A fountain of youth in your gut?

We all know people who seem to effortlessly remain young and active.

People who, even though they’re older than us, could run circles around us, look ten years younger and just plain leave us wondering how they do it…

And, while it’s easy to say it’s just good genes or that they got lucky, the real answer could surprise you.

It’s not a pill or a cream or even some crazy expensive hormone therapy, if that’s what you’re thinking.

The secret is in your gut.

Sounds weird right? But, it’s true.

In fact, in one of the largest microbiota studies ever conducted in humans, researchers at Western University, Lawson Health Research Institute and Tianyi Health Science Institute in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China have shown a potential link between healthy aging and a healthy gut.

Here’s what they found…

Your biomarker of healthy aging

The researchers studied the gut bacteria of more than 1,000 Chinese individuals in a variety of age-ranges from 3 to over 100 years-old who were extremely healthy with no known health issues and no family history of disease. The results showed a direct correlation between health and the microbes in the intestine.

In fact, the study showed that the overall composition of gut bacteria in the healthy elderly group was similar to that of people decades younger, and that the gut microbiota differed little between individuals from the ages of 30 to over 100.

According to Greg Gloor, the principle investigator on the study, “The main conclusion is that if you are ridiculously healthy and 90 years old, your gut microbiota is not that different from a healthy 30 year old in the same population.”

Taking it a step further, the researchers even say that, “This demonstrates that maintaining diversity of your gut as you age is a biomarker of healthy aging, just like low-cholesterol is a biomarker of a healthy circulatory system.”

6 steps to gut health

Considering that keeping a healthy gut could just be the key to healthy aging, let’s take a look at the six steps to improving your gut health.

#1 – Probiotics

Probiotics are live microorganisms, usually bacteria, that can colonize your intestines and promote good health.  Eat more probiotic-containing foods — like yogurt — and take a probiotic supplement to boost the health of your gut.

#2 – Fermented Food

Many fermented foods are rich in lactobacilli, a type of bacteria that can benefit your health. Kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir and kombucha are all good fermented options to add to your diet.

#3 – Food Diversity

For your gut microbiota to be healthy, it also needs to be diverse. You can achieve this by eating a variety of foods. Choose whole foods and organic varieties whenever possible to get the most benefits for your gut health. Avoid sugar and carbs, and drink less whole milk, as these can inhibit your gut’s diversity.

#4 – Fiber

Fiber may be the number one antiaging nutrient. Be sure to take in plenty of fiber by eating fruits, vegetable, beans and legumes daily to promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.

#5 – Artificial Sweeteners

Studies have linked artificial sweeteners with the growth of bad bacteria in your intestines so be sure to avoid them and choose a natural option like stevia instead. Only use 100 percent pure stevia with no fillers, being especially careful to avoid erythritol.

#6 – Prebiotics

Prebiotics are fiber or complex carbs that can’t be digested by human cells. Instead, certain species of beneficial bacteria break them down and use them for fuel, promoting their growth. You can get more prebiotics in your diet from fruits, vegetables and whole grains, like onions, leeks, radishes, carrots, coconut flour, chia and flax seeds, bananas and tomatoes.

Use the six steps above to put the gut secret to healthy aging to work in your life and boost the health of your gut bacteria to stay young, active and vibrant.