Aging, Memory and Microbiome

Aging for most means progression to inflammation and reduced immune capacity.

Adverse changes in the microbiome contribute to 16-18% of world-wide cancer.

On the contrary, a study of those who live past a hundred years, their microbiome is very unique and reflects the body’s capacity to digest proteins and respond well to inflammation[1].

Watch for news on probiotics that fight aging! Find out if you have a healthy microbiome!

Early studies observe how certain species can take polyphenols from our diet and use them to interfere with the misfolding of proteins. Misfolded protein is one of the key markers of Alzheimer’s disease[2]. Want to get a head start? Polyphenols are found in plant‐based foods and beverages, notably apples, berries, citrus fruit, plums, broccoli, cocoa, tea and coffee[3]. Yum. 

If you seek a caring professional who is a registered naturopathic doctor in Guelph with a functional medicine approach, you’ve come to the right place. Dr. Laura M. Brown, ND knows how to stimulate your body’s natural mechanisms to repair damage and rebuild health.


[1] Biagi, E., Candela, M., Fairweather-Tait, S., Franceschi, C., & Brigidi, P. (2012). Aging of the human metaorganism: the microbial counterpart. Age (Dordrecht, Netherlands)34(1), 247–267. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-011-9217-5

[2] Wang, D., Ho, L., Faith, J., Ono, K., Janle, E. M., Lachcik, P. J., Cooper, B. R., Jannasch, A. H., D’Arcy, B. R., Williams, B. A., Ferruzzi, M. G., Levine, S., Zhao, W., Dubner, L., & Pasinetti, G. M. (2015). Role of intestinal microbiota in the generation of polyphenol-derived phenolic acid mediated attenuation of Alzheimer’s disease β-amyloid oligomerization. Molecular nutrition & food research59(6), 1025–1040. https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.201400544

[3] Williamson G. (2017). The role of polyphenols in modern nutrition. Nutrition bulletin42(3), 226–235. https://doi.org/10.1111/nbu.12278