Contribution of the Microbiota to Healthy Aging

The intestinal microbiota changes in response to aging. The intestinal microbiota has a profound effect on the functioning of the intestine in health and disease. There are hormonal, immunological and neurological connections between the intestine and other organs systems in the body, and potentially vice versa. The intestinal microbiota may therefore have effects beyond the gut through so-called gut-microbiota-axes. Modulating, the intestinal microbiota with probiotics and/or prebiotics has been shown to have potential health benefits in the intestine and beyond. Especially in elderly, normal bodily functions such as bowel function, metabolic health and immune response have been observed to be beneficially influenced. However, many findings related to these gut-axes are emerging and not fully understood and especially the role in aging remains to be further investigated.