Page 193 - Petelin, Ana. 2021. Ed. Zdravje starostnikov / Health of the Elderly. Proceedings. Koper: University of Primorska Press.
P. 193
https://doi.org/10.26493/978-961-293-129-2.191-197
The gut microbiota in the elderly
Karin Šik Novak, Zala Jenko Pražnikar
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Izola, Slovenia
karin.novak@fvz.upr.si, zala.praznikar@fvz.upr.si
Abstract
Introduction: The human gastrointestinal tract represents the biggest
microbial community in the human body. Gut bacteria regulate
extraction, synthesis and absorption of many nutrients and metabolites,
such as bile acids, lipids, amino acids, vitamins, and short-chain fatty
acids. Aging is a genetically-determined process that leads to a decline
of physiological functions. One of the most recognized effects of aging
is the age-associated immune deregulation. Gut dysbiosis can trigger
the immune response and chronic low-grade inflammation, leading
to age-related degenerative pathologies and unhealthy aging. An
adequate nutritional status is important to maintain the functionality
of the immune system and preventing frailty and cognitive function
impairment in the elderly. Methods: A scientific literature search was
performed by accessing the databases PubMed, GoogleScholar and
ScienceDirect using the following keywords and their combinations:
»gut microbiota«, »elderly«, »longevity«, »Alzheimer‘s disease«,
»nutrition«, limiting the search to the last 10 years. The review was
focused on the changes of gut microbiota during aging, the effect of
nutrition and its link to pathologies. Results: Gut microbiota diversity
increases from birth and at about the age of three, the gut microbiota
composition is mostly mature. In the elderly, changes in dietary habits,
digestion, nutrient absorption and immune activity can affect gut
microbiota composition. The microbiota-gut-brain axis is a bidirectional
communication system that is connected via neural, immune, endocrine,
and metabolic pathways and plays a key role in the modulation of
brain functions. Research shows a link between the gut microbiota and
Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which is characterized by the accumulation
of amyloid-β and tau in the brain, leading to cognitive impairment.
The increased gut and blood-brain barrier permeability induced by gut
dysbiosis may affect pathogenesis of AD and other neurodegenerative
The gut microbiota in the elderly
Karin Šik Novak, Zala Jenko Pražnikar
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Izola, Slovenia
karin.novak@fvz.upr.si, zala.praznikar@fvz.upr.si
Abstract
Introduction: The human gastrointestinal tract represents the biggest
microbial community in the human body. Gut bacteria regulate
extraction, synthesis and absorption of many nutrients and metabolites,
such as bile acids, lipids, amino acids, vitamins, and short-chain fatty
acids. Aging is a genetically-determined process that leads to a decline
of physiological functions. One of the most recognized effects of aging
is the age-associated immune deregulation. Gut dysbiosis can trigger
the immune response and chronic low-grade inflammation, leading
to age-related degenerative pathologies and unhealthy aging. An
adequate nutritional status is important to maintain the functionality
of the immune system and preventing frailty and cognitive function
impairment in the elderly. Methods: A scientific literature search was
performed by accessing the databases PubMed, GoogleScholar and
ScienceDirect using the following keywords and their combinations:
»gut microbiota«, »elderly«, »longevity«, »Alzheimer‘s disease«,
»nutrition«, limiting the search to the last 10 years. The review was
focused on the changes of gut microbiota during aging, the effect of
nutrition and its link to pathologies. Results: Gut microbiota diversity
increases from birth and at about the age of three, the gut microbiota
composition is mostly mature. In the elderly, changes in dietary habits,
digestion, nutrient absorption and immune activity can affect gut
microbiota composition. The microbiota-gut-brain axis is a bidirectional
communication system that is connected via neural, immune, endocrine,
and metabolic pathways and plays a key role in the modulation of
brain functions. Research shows a link between the gut microbiota and
Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which is characterized by the accumulation
of amyloid-β and tau in the brain, leading to cognitive impairment.
The increased gut and blood-brain barrier permeability induced by gut
dysbiosis may affect pathogenesis of AD and other neurodegenerative
