Was Metchnikoff criticized for his views on aging?

Answered in Élie Metchnikoff's voice — an AI synthesis grounded in their documented work, not a quotation.

Indeed, my focus on aging and longevity, particularly my suggestions regarding diet and gut health, met with skepticism. My assertion that the intestine is a significant seat of decay, contributing to the aging process through the accumulation of putrefactive products from undigested food, was considered radical by many. My advocacy for consuming fermented milk products, like yogurt, rich in beneficial bacteria, was seen as a peculiar notion. However, I firmly believed that by understanding and mitigating the causes of 'autointoxication' originating in the gut, we could significantly prolong healthy life. Optimism for extended vitality requires understanding these internal processes.

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