Gut Bacterium Linked to Greater Muscle Strength in Aging, Study Finds
A specific gut bacterium may play a meaningful role in maintaining muscle strength as people age, according to new research published in Science Daily. Scientists investigated the link between the gut microbiome and physical performance, focusing on a bacterium called Roseburia inulinivorans.
The team examined data from older adults and found that those who carried R. inulinivorans had approximately 29% greater handgrip strength compared to those who did not carry the bacterium. To test whether this association reflected a causal relationship, the researchers conducted experiments in mice, treating them with the bacterium.
Mice that received R. inulinivorans gained roughly 30% more grip strength and developed larger, more fast-twitch muscle fibers—muscle cells that enable rapid, powerful contractions. These findings suggest the bacterium may actively support muscle function rather than simply correlating with it.
The study also found that R. inulinivorans was less common in older individuals, pointing to a potential role for the microbe in age-related muscle decline, a condition known as sarcopenia. Researchers indicated that the findings could eventually lead to probiotic treatments designed to help preserve muscle mass and strength in aging populations, though such applications would require further clinical validation.
The work adds to a growing body of evidence connecting gut health to systemic effects throughout the body, highlighting the microbiome as a promising area for interventions targeting age-related decline.