Scientists discover how to turn gut bacteria into anti-aging factories

Scientists have engineered gut bacteria to produce anti-aging compounds using low doses of the antibiotic cephaloridine, which boosts production of colanic acid, a substance that extends lifespan in lab animals. The approach worked in both roundworms and mice, improving cholesterol levels and reducing insulin without side effects since the antibiotic stays in the gut rather than entering the bloodstream. This breakthrough suggests a new way to develop longevity drugs by controlling helpful bacteria rather than directly targeting human cells.