Requirements: 1. Maintain the original format and structure. 2. The translation should be accurate, fluent, and natural. 3. Maintain professionalism and consistency. 4. Only provide the translation result; do not add any explanations. Original text: Reverse aging, combat allergies, and regulate the immune system—all of which depend heavily on the health of the intestines. People often categorize their age into physiological and psychological age as an excuse for staying youthful. Did you know that in addition to physiological and psychological age, there is also a “third age”—the “intestinal age”? The intestines are home to three types of bacteria: beneficial, harmful, and neutral. These bacteria interact with each other, maintaining intestinal health and thus determining a person’s “intestinal age.” The intestinal age affects the degree of aging in the body: (1) **Affecting appearance**: Aging in the intestines can lead to a weakened metabolism, accelerated growth of harmful bacteria, and difficulty in eliminating toxins, which can then enter the bloodstream and cause problems such as acne and dry skin. A deteriorating intestinal environment can also cause the intestines to over-absorb proteins that trigger allergies, exacerbating allergic symptoms. (2) **Reducing memory**: Many believe that aging is the main cause of memory decline, but the health of the intestines also affects brain function. An aging intestine cannot provide enough nutrients for the brain, slowing down its performance and leading to memory loss. (3) **Weakening immunity**: Aging in the intestines suppresses the growth of beneficial bacteria and promotes the growth of harmful ones, allowing bacteria and pathogens to invade, affecting digestion and reducing the body’s resistance. (4) **Causing mental fatigue**: The intestines are often referred to as the “second brain” of the body, controlling intestinal movements, blood flow, and the secretion of various hormones. Problems with the intestines can lead to mental fatigue and affect overall health. How to maintain healthy intestines and prevent premature aging? - **Eat three meals a day with a balanced and diverse diet.** - **Increase fiber intake and reduce the consumption of fried, pickled, and cold foods.** - **Maintain adequate hydration by drinking 1500–2000 milliliters of water daily.** - **Exercise regularly to activate the intestines.** - **Maintain a regular lifestyle, manage stress, and avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.** - **Supplement with nutrients such as AKG.** The impact of AKG on intestinal health: - **Regulating the composition of the intestinal microbiota**: AKG can improve intestinal health by altering the balance of bacteria in the gut. - **Promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria**: AKG may help beneficial bacteria thrive, improving the balance of the intestinal microbiome. - **Enhancing the body’s innate immunity**: AKG promotes the production of defense compounds in the intestines, such as cryptdins-1, cryptdins-4, and cryptdins-5, which enhance the body’s natural immunity. - **Reducing intestinal inflammation**: By regulating the gut microbiota and immune factors, AKG helps reduce intestinal inflammation. - **Serving as an energy source**: AKG is an important energy source for intestinal cells, stimulating protein synthesis and inhibiting protein degradation. - **Protecting intestinal cells**: AKG reduces oxidative stress and damage to intestinal mucosal cells, improving the integrity of the mucosa and nutrient absorption.