Dietary intake of live microbes is inversely associated with fatigue and modified by serum folate among adults aged 40 years or more

Key Points

• Lower levels of fatigue are linked to higher intake of microbe-rich foods in adults aged 40 years or more.
• Circulating 5-methyltetrahydrofolate is associated with reduced fatigue, highlighting the importance of folate.
• Dietary patterns including live microbes enhance fatigue resilience, particularly when sufficient folate is present.
• The findings support the nutrient-microbe pathway as vital for promoting healthy aging and reducing fatigue.