Cause 10: Aging: The Inevitable Factor
The tenth and final cause of ulcerative colitis we’ll discuss is aging. Aging is a natural process that affects every cell in our body, including those in our gut. As we age, various physiological changes can increase the risk of UC.
One significant change that occurs with aging is immune senescence – the gradual deterioration of the immune system. This can lead to an overactive immune response, a key issue in UC. Moreover, aged immune cells can produce more pro-inflammatory substances, contributing to the chronic inflammation seen in UC.
Aging also affects the gut microbiome. The diversity and stability of the gut microbiome can decrease with age, leading to dysbiosis. As we’ve seen, this dysbiosis can play a significant role in UC.
Moreover, the gut barrier function can also be compromised with age. The gut barrier becomes less effective at keeping out harmful substances, leading to increased gut permeability or a ‘leaky gut.’ This can trigger an immune response and lead to inflammation.
Aging is associated with various lifestyle changes that can lead to UC. These include changes in dietary habits, physical activity levels, and medication use. For instance, older adults might consume a less diverse diet, be less physically active, and use more medications – all of which can increase the risk of UC.(10)
