Is Flatulence Good for You?
In another off-beat recent study, researchers examined if hydrogen sulfide (H2S) could increase the longevity and vitality of C. elegans worms. (Personally, I don’t see what’s elegant about this nematode, but scientists seem to love it; it was the first multicellular organism to have its whole genome sequenced and has been the subject of four Nobel prize winners.)
Two questions right off the bat. Are we talking about the hydrogen sulfide produced by probiotics in flatulence that can clear a room because of the smell? Yes. And worms are living healthier lives while living longer? Yes, but who cares? Allow me to continue.
There are similarities between some functions found in worms and in humans. Because their lifespan is much shorter, scientists can find out whether what they think will work as a treatment in theory will actually work in the worms. They exposed specific regions of the worms to hydrogen sulfide. The objective, based on prior research, was to examine whether the hydrogen sulfide would impact the mitochondria in those regions. Turns out the hydrogen sulfide did exactly that; while the worms lived a little longer, they were more vigorous up to the time they died. The researchers are proceeding with research to see if this could be duplicated in humans.
The issue would be how to deliver the hydrogen sulfide to the correct place, and that appears to be the mitochondria. It may not prove to be practical, but I can think of a way to increase hydrogen sulfide in the body naturally: Eat foods with sulforaphanes and other sulfur-containing chemicals, such as broccoli and cauliflower in one group and onions and garlic in the other. I think that’s the easiest way to increase sulfides. The health benefits are significant and worth the discrete elimination of any gas that may be produced.
What are you prepared to do today?
Dr. Chet
Reference: PNAS. 2023. 120(32): e22161411202.