According to a study, people over 60 with a good appetite have more diverse good intestinal bacteria than people with a loss of appetite. This is the first research into differences in the gut microbiome in relation to appetite between otherwise healthy older adults. The researchers also found that aLack of Appetiteand lower food cravings were associated with reduced muscle strength and function. The bacteria in the intestine represent a possible connection between the two conditions.
The team used responses to questionnaires about appetite suppressants and appetite regulation to identify 102 elderly people with no appetite and 102 seniors with a good appetite. In addition, the scientists compared bad and good intestinal bacteria. The two groups were otherwise as similar as possible in terms of age, body mass index, calorie consumption, medication use and other factors that could affect the microbiome. The researchers found that people with poor appetites had less variety in their intestinal flora than those with good appetites. They also found that people with healthy appetites were more likely to have microbes associated with diets high in vegetables and fiber. The research team then examined participants' muscle strength based on previous muscle strength assessments conducted during clinic visits. It found that twins with poorer appetites had lower muscle strength compared to twins with good appetites.
According to the study authors, a poor appetite can lead to an equally unhealthy diet and weight loss. This, in turn, can cause a loss of muscle mass and therefore a reduction in muscle strength. However, the authors know from previous research that poor appetite is also associated with loss of muscle strength. But this does not depend on the overall weight loss. For this reason, scientists need further studies to understand how exactly appetite, good gut bacteria and muscle function influence each other. This would also show the order in which they occur.This studycould influence the development of treatments in the near future. This would enable people to better control their muscle mass so that it does not affect their health as they age.
