Long-lived individuals exhibit unique gut fungal features, including enriched Candida enterotypes and maintained core taxa like Aspergillus and Penicillium. These fungal patterns, closely linked with beneficial bacterial traits, suggest a role in healthy ageing and longevity through gut microbiome balance and resilience.
August 2024 – iScience
Key Takeaways
- Candida enterotypes are prevalent in long-lived individuals: Long-lived individuals exhibit a higher prevalence of Candida-driven gut fungal patterns compared to their elderly counterparts. These enterotypes are associated with gut health, playing a potential role in maintaining resilience and contributing to healthy ageing
- Core fungal taxa remain stable and increase in abundance with age: Key fungal groups, such as Aspergillus and Penicillium, are not only maintained but also become more prominent in long-lived individuals. These core taxa may support metabolic stability and immune function, which are crucial for sustaining longevity
- Gut fungi are closely linked with youth-associated bacterial traits: The interaction between fungal and bacterial communities in the gut demonstrates a shared pattern between long-lived and younger individuals. The Candida enterotype aligns with bacteria like Bacteroides, suggesting a synergistic relationship that supports gut homeostasis and healthy ageing
The fungal composition of long-lived individuals includes distinctive taxa that can serve as biomarkers for longevity. These unique signatures reflect a well-balanced and adaptive gut ecosystem, highlighting the gut microbiome’s role as a potential longevity indicator.
Read the article at: Pu, Lixia, et al. “The Gut Mycobiome Signatures in Long-Lived Populations.” iScience, vol. 27, no. 8, 2024, Elsevier, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2024.110412.