Metabolites, including those derived from the gut microbiome, offer a window into the complex biology of aging. They reflect not just how we live, but how well our bodies are adapting to the passage of time.
Both dietary patterns and specific foods are known to affect the digestive tract environment, either directly or indirectly (for example, by shaping the gut microbiome), and are therefore of interest as potential factors in the response of an individual to a biotic intervention.