A new study suggests that a mix of gut-friendly probiotics and plant nutrients may help the body age more slowly. Researchers from the University of Bedfordshire took part in the work.
The findings point to a diet-based approach. It could help people stay stronger and healthier for longer. The study appears in the Journal of Ageing and Longevity. It was a double-blind trial, meaning neither the participants nor the researchers knew who received which treatment.
Older men who took a special blend of plant compounds, along with certain probiotic strains, showed real improvements. They gained strength. Their inflammation levels dropped. Their testosterone levels rose. These three things are known signs of healthy ageing.
The best results came when both supplements were used together. This shows that nutrition and gut health can work as a team, boosting each other’s effects.
Several institutions worked on this trial. These include the Oncology Department at Bedford Hospital, part of the Cambridge University Hospitals group. The University of Bedfordshire also took part. So did the Department of Urology and the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of California. The Exercise Medicine Research Institute at Edith Cowan University in Australia was involved too.
The trial included 208 men. Their average age was 74. It ran for four months. Each man took a daily supplement made from concentrated plant compounds. These came from foods like broccoli, green tea, pomegranate, ginger, cranberries, and turmeric. The formula used a new method. It combined whole food ingredients with stronger plant extracts from the same sources. This product is now sold under the name YourPhyto.
Alongside the product, the men were split into two groups. One group also took a probiotic supplement. It contained five chosen strains of lactobacillus bacteria, along with prebiotics and vitamin D. This product is now known as Yourgutplus. The other group received a placebo instead. By the end of the study, grip strength had improved across the board. This is an important measure of health. It also helps predict how long someone might live. On average, grip strength rose by almost 8%.
But the men who took both supplements together saw much bigger gains. Their inflammation markers were noticeably lower too. And their testosterone levels were, on average, 12% higher than before.
Professor Robert Thomas helped lead the research. He holds several roles. He is a visiting professor of sport and nutritional science at the University of Bedfordshire. He also works as a consultant clinical oncologist at Addenbrooke’s and Bedfordshire Hospitals, both part of Cambridge University Hospitals. He leads integrative oncology at University College Hospital London.
He explained that biological ageing is not only about how many years a person has lived. It is about how well the body still works. When someone’s biological age is higher than their actual age, their risk goes up. This concept includes risks for heart disease, diabetes, dementia, and cancer.
He added that this research is encouraging. Some major causes of ageing can be changed. These include ongoing inflammation, loss of muscle strength, and shifting hormone levels. Lifestyle choices can influence all three. Professor Thomas said the study indicates that targeted nutrition, especially nutrition that supports gut bacteria, may offer a real way to help people stay strong and healthy as they age older.
The research team says these results are strong early evidence. They believe this combined approach could help slow down some of the physical changes linked to ageing. Longer studies are needed to confirm the findings. Even so, the results hint at something important. Simple changes to diet could play a real part in helping people live healthier, fuller lives in their later years.
