Can Hookworms Be the Secret to Healthy Aging?

It’s long been assumed that inflammation naturally rises as we age, a phenomenon so common it has its own name: inflammaging. However, new research suggests that this might not be a universal rule (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Inflammaging is minimal among forager-horticulturalists in the Bolivian Amazon

Go to source). Scientists from Arizona State University studied two Indigenous communities in the Bolivian Amazon – the Tsimane and the Moseten – to see how age affects their immune systems. The results, published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, showed something remarkable: older Tsimane adults had minimal increases in inflammation compared to aging adults in industrialized countries.

"To see if they develop inflammaging, we measured a collection of cytokines in a sample of older Tsimane adults to see if they increase with age – we found minimal increases with age," said Jacob Aronoff, lead author and postdoctoral research scholar at ASU.

Modernization May Make It Worse

The team also examined the Moseten, a genetically similar group that has adopted some modern amenities like electricity and running water. Surprisingly, they showed more signs of inflammaging than the Tsimane.

"We measured them together in the same lab, using the same technology, and we found clearly more pronounced inflammaging in the Moseten, suggesting that inflammaging – to a large extent – is a product of industrialized lifestyles," Aronoff explained.

The finding suggests that aging and inflammation are heavily influenced by lifestyle, environment, and possibly exposure to microbes and parasites, rather than being purely genetic or inevitable.

Parasites as Medicine?

The researchers believe higher exposure to natural pathogens and parasites may help keep the immune system balanced. Among these, hookworms caught their attention.

"Instead of, say people getting infected with hookworm, we could figure out what are the proteins on the surface of hookworm cells – and what if we could turn that into a drug that people could take and trick our immune system," said Benjamin Trumble, senior author and ASU professor.

This could open an entirely new way to treat age-related inflammation – by mimicking the effects of parasites without infection, much like how vaccines work for viruses.

Why It Matters

Chronic inflammation drives many age-related illnesses, from heart disease and diabetes to Alzheimer’s. Finding ways to control or reduce this inflammation could mean healthier, more active years for older adults.

However, experts warn there is no single solution. Diet, exercise, and environment are still critical. Future studies will focus on how lifestyle factors and controlled immune stimulation can work together.

"For 99% of human history we were physically active hunter gatherers. Now with sedentary urban life we are basically operating outside the 'manufacturer's recommended warranty'," said Trumble.

The Takeaway

The key to slowing down aging might not be found in high-tech labs, but in lessons from the world’s most traditional communities – and maybe even in a worm.

Reference:

1. Inflammaging is minimal among forager-horticulturalists in the Bolivian Amazon - (https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2025.1111)

Source-Medindia