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Interesting perspectives on the microbiome here.

I always had the somewhat quaint idea that our guts are full of friendly microbes, but what if the microbiome is largely parasitic, at least in the long run?

https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26535294-100-the-shocking-discovery-that-our-gut-microbiome-drives-ageing/

#microbiome #microbiology


The shocking discovery that our gut microbiome drives ageing

A new understanding of our relationship with our "friendly" gut microbes shows they actually have a dark side and help cause ageing. Here's how to fight back
Graham Lawton (New Scientist)
#microbiology #microbiome
in reply to Frank Aylward

rsp
rsp
• •
I think every beneficial symbiosis is a truce of some kind...never 100% beneficial. We still have conflicts with our former bacterial symbiont now mitochondria: https://www.quantamagazine.org/genetic-struggles-within-cells-may-create-new-species-20170927/

Genetic Struggles Within Cells May Create New Species

Mitonuclear conflict — a struggle between the genes in a cell’s nucleus and its mitochondria — might sometimes split species in two.
Carrie Arnold (Quanta Magazine)
This entry was edited (2 months ago)
in reply to rsp

Frank Aylward
Frank Aylward
• •
@rspfau yes certainly. And it's all context dependent. I was just surprised to hear the perspective that the microbiome could have a mostly negative impact on longevity.
@rsp
in reply to Frank Aylward

rsp
rsp
• •
They may have an overall negative impact on longevity relative to some nonexistent ideal, but remove the gut biome and you die. The benefits outweigh the costs many fold. We're completely dependent on its existence. So it can't be parasitic--which by definition is a relationship where one party benefits to the detriment of the other.
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20170321-why-your-diet-may-be-bad-for-your-gut-bacteria

The microbes in your body that you couldn't live without

For a healthy body full of ‘good’ bacteria, you may need to do a lot more than eat a probiotic yoghurt, as Adam Rutherford discovers.
Adam Rutherford (BBC)
This entry was edited (2 months ago)
in reply to EpicBear :dna:

Frank Aylward
Frank Aylward
• •
@EpicBear sorry i thought it was open. I must have been on a uni network when i saw it.
@EpicBear :dna:
in reply to Frank Aylward

EpicBear :dna:
EpicBear :dna:
• •
No worries, I agree it's an interesting topic, and I wanted to read it to contribute to your thoughtful thread.

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