As we age, protecting our wellbeing becomes an ongoing priority. The role of gut bacteria in healthy ageing is an often under-appreciated aspect but one that shouldn’t be ignored.
What is in our gut can influence processes such as digestion, cognition, immunity and even cardiovascular wellness.
In this article, we look at the benefits of including a daily dose of traditionally fermented kefir for older adults.
Kefir for older adults:
- Start your day with kefir to boost digestive health
- Consume kefir daily for cognition and memory
- Kefir may assist with fighting off winter colds
- Friendly bacteria found in kefir may improve overall wellbeing
Digestion
The gut is home to collection of organisms mainly made up of beneficial bacteria that are essential for overall wellbeing. They assist with the breakdown of food and produce essential nutrients such as biotin, Vitamin K and short chain fatty acids by fermenting otherwise undigestible fibres. In healthy adults, the populations of bacteria remain relative stable through life but begin to decline in number and diversity from the age of 50. These changes can be linked to an increase in digestive issues including constipation and diarrhoea.
Traditionally made kefir has been shown to boost the overall population and diversity of beneficial microbes in the gut. The Mount Olympus kefir contains billions of gut boosting microorganisms in every bottle.
Cognition and memory
Bacteria in the gut pass messages to the brain and can influence mood, cognition and memory.
When good bacteria are depleted, bad bacteria can take their place. The latter can produce toxic compounds which may impair long-term memory, increase anxiety and cause low moods.
In dementia, inflammation causing microorganisms from the gut are thought to contribute to cognitive decline whereas beneficial species had an anti-inflammatory (good) effect.
The research on the effects of kefir supplementation on cognition in older populations are in their infancy, however, smaller studies indicate improved attention and memory following 8 weeks of fermented milk consumption versus a placebo. We recommend consuming at least 150ml of our traditionally fermented kefir per day, ideally first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.
Immunity
From the moment we are born, through to adulthood, beneficial bacteria influence and enhance immunity, however, alongside changes in the composition of the microbiome, immune function gradually declines with age. As beneficial bacteria become fewer in number, pathogenic ones take their place, causing a low grade but chronic immune response which lowers overall immunity.
Supplementation with fermented milk products containing lactobacillus, a species of beneficial bacteria, show some advantages in improving immune function and reducing the length and severity of winter colds, fever, sickness and diarrhoea. In addition, kefir displays antibacterial and antifungal properties which may assist with keeping germs out.
The Mount Olympus kefir contains a healthy dose of lactobacilli alongside other beneficial microbes.
Frailty
Studies on frail elderly highlight a trend for more significant depletions in gut bacteria in those that fair less well. A small Dutch study even brought to light specific depletions in lactobacilli and Bacteroides alongside an increase in frailty.
On the other end of the spectrum, a recent study on healthy Chinese populations spotted a trend between good health in old age and diversity in beneficial bacteria. The gut microbiome of healthy elderly as old as 94 years of age was similar to that of healthy middle-aged adults, illustrating a link between a diverse microbiome and healthy ageing.
Traditionally made kefir has been shown to boost the overall population and diversity of beneficial microbes in the gut so why not grab yourself a bottle?
