How gut bacteria linked to muscle strength could help fight ageing

Key Points:

• A recent study found a link between higher levels of the gut bacterium Roseburia inulinivorans and greater muscle strength in both young and older adults, suggesting the microbiome may influence fitness.
• Experiments in mice showed that introducing Roseburia inulinivorans led to increased grip strength, larger muscle fibers, and enhanced muscle energy pathways, indicating a potential causal role of this microbe in muscle function.
• Older adults tended to have lower levels of Roseburia inulinivorans, correlating with the common age-related decline in muscle strength, though it remains unclear if the bacteria cause stronger muscles or are simply more prevalent in active individuals.
• The study highlights the potential for future probiotics targeting muscle health, but currently, maintaining muscle strength and a healthy microbiome is best supported by regular exercise and a high-fiber diet rich in prebiotic foods like onions, garlic, and asparagus.
• Limitations include small human sample sizes, mouse-based causal experiments, and a male-only older group, so larger human studies are needed to confirm these findings and clarify the relationship between gut microbes and muscle strength.