Microbiota: A Key for Healthy Aging |
Yoon Jin Choi, Dong Ho Lee |
1Department of Internal Medicine and Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea. dhljohn@yahoo.com 2Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. |
|
Abstract |
A growing body of literature has suggested that changes in the composition of gut microbiota could be associated with age-related processes. Significant changes in the gastrointestinal microbiota in the elderly have been reported according to diet, drug use, and place of residence. Moreover, changes in microbiota composition in old age have been associated with immunosenescence and inflammatory processes that are pathophysiological mechanisms involved in frailty. A better understanding of the possible reasons for changes in gut microbiota in the elderly and the impact of these changes on health could be a basis for maintaining healthy gut function and healthy aging in the present situation with an increasing elderly population. |
Key Words:
Microbiota, Bifidobacterium, Aging, Frailty, Elderly |
|