The most important role a healthy microbiome has for preserving health as we age is thought to be the prevention of systemic inflammation.7376 Inflammaging is a strong risk factor not only for premature death.7377 Those with higher-than-average levels of inflammatory markers in their blood for their age are more likely to be hospitalized,7378 frail,7379 and less independent,7380 and suffer from a variety of diseases, including common infections.
