A study conducted on mice indicates that our pooh holds the key to staying young.
Researchers transplanted faecal from young to old rodents and claim they were able to reverse the effects of aging on their eyes, guts and brains.
The study believes that the aged microbiome in elderly mice weakens the lining of the gut, which allows bacteria to enter the bloodstream which in turn creates inflammation.
Inflammation increases as we age and is the cause of many age-related health issues.
The research concludes that replacing the old gut bacteria with newer strains reduces overall inflammation in the body.
Younger mice were also given faecal matter made from the stools of older rodents. The younger mice consequently developed inflammation in the brain along with age-related vision problems.
While the scientists concede that more research is required, they are hopeful that in the future, patients with aging disorders will be able to benefit from a similar therapy that could be taken through an easier administration of capsules that they could swallow.
Pooh transplants are already being used successfully to treat C. difficile infections in humans and gastrointestinal ailments including colitis, constipation and IBS.