Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide, with traditional risk factors often failing to halt disease progression, particularly in older adults.

The study identified a specific bacterium, Clostridium sp.ASF356, responsible for converting phenylalanine into phenylacetic acid; eliminating this bacterium in mice reduced phenylacetic acid levels and confirmed its role in vascular aging.

Recent research from the University of Zurich has revealed that intestinal bacteria and their metabolites significantly contribute to vascular aging, which is closely linked to cardiovascular diseases.

One key finding is that phenylacetic acid, a breakdown product of the amino acid phenylalanine, accumulates with age and triggers senescence in endothelial cells, leading to stiffened blood vessels and impaired function.

The research emphasizes that dietary choices can influence the gut microbiome's impact on cardiovascular aging, with diets rich in dietary fibers and antioxidants promoting beneficial gut bacteria.

Ongoing research aims to explore dietary influences on the gut microbiome and develop medications to reduce phenylacetic acid levels, with initial promising results from genetically modified bacteria.

Despite addressing traditional risk factors such as diabetes and high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases continue to worsen in 50% of older patients.

This research underscores the importance of dietary interventions in promoting a healthy gut microbiome to mitigate the effects of cardiovascular aging.

Additionally, short-chain fatty acids produced by gut bacteria from dietary fibers have shown rejuvenating effects on vascular health, potentially restoring the function of aged endothelial cells.

The study involved over 7,000 healthy individuals aged 18 to 95, along with a mouse model, to analyze how microbiota composition changes with age and its effects on cardiovascular health.

These findings were published in the journal 'Nature Aging', highlighting the microbiome's potential role in regulating cardiovascular aging.

As individuals age, changes in gut bacterial composition lead to a reduction in beneficial substances and an increase in harmful metabolites, impacting overall vascular health.