New gut microbe from Mediterranean diet shown to boost mouse strength
Researchers find that a Mediterranean-diet–associated gut bacterium, Roseburia inulinivorans, correlates with higher grip strength in humans and, when fed to mice, increases grip strength by about 30% over 4–8 weeks and shifts muscle fibers toward a stronger, fast-twitch type. The study suggests potential probiotic or drug approaches to combat frailty, but human trials are needed and delivering such an anaerobic microbe in pill form remains a hurdle; the work was published in Gut and underscores the gut-muscle connection.
