Role of Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Synbiotics in the Elderly: Insights Into Their Applications

Abstract

Elderly people are an important part of the global population who suffer from the natural processes of senescence, which lead to changes in the gut microbiota composition. These modifications have a great impact on their quality of life, bringing a general putrefactive and inflammatory status as a consequence. Some of the most frequent conditions related to this status are constipation, undernutrition, neurodegenerative diseases, susceptibility to opportunistic pathogens, and metabolic disbalance, among others. For these reasons, there is an increasing interest in improving their quality of life by non-invasive treatments such as the consumption of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics. The aim of the present mini-review is to describe the benefits of these functional supplements/food according to the most recent clinical and pre-clinical studies published during the last decade. In addition, insights into several aspects we consider relevant to improve the quality of future studies are provided.

Perspective: Practical Approach to Preventing Subclinical B12 Deficiency in Elderly Population

“…Recently, other strains in the genus Lactobacillus have shown to produce B12-type compounds, including Lactobacillus coryniformis isolated from goat milk [91], Lactobacillus plantarum from kanjika or Japanese pickles [92,93], Lactobacillus rossiae from sourdoughs [94] and Lactobacillus fermentum CFR 2195 from breast-fed healthy infants' fecal sample [95], but further research is needed to elucidate their role in active B12 production. The addition of vitamin B12-producing LABs into fermented foods could potentially have two advantages: on one hand increase vitamin B12 concentrations, and on the other hand exhibit healthy properties, since in the elderly there is a general decrease in diversity exhibition in species of Lactobacilli [96].…”

A Link between Chronic Kidney Disease and Gut Microbiota in Immunological and Nutritional Aspects

“…These microorganisms are characterized by the ability to colonize various environments in the human body, in particular the intestines, where they play a key role in stimulating the passage of intestinal epithelial cells and ensure the proper development of commensal microorganisms. Prebiotics are food ingredients that selectively influence the development of a specific group or type of microorganism with probiotic properties in the gastrointestinal tract [ 121 , 122 , 123 ].…”

“…The last group are symbiotic, i.e., a combination of pro and prebiotics, which together show a synergistic effect influencing the development of normal intestinal microbiota. In addition, it has been shown that they can participate in reducing the concentration of undesirable toxins or metabolites in the human body, and are also involved in the processes of preventing putrefactive reactions in the intestines and the formation of constipation or diarrhea [ 121 , 122 , 123 ].…”

Hallmarks of Testicular Aging: The Challenge of Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Therapies Using Natural and/or Pharmacological Compounds to Improve the Physiopathological Status of the Aged Male Gonad

“…Elderly people, in general, suffer from changes in the gut microbiota composition, leading to a gradual shift toward a reduced bacterial diversity. This implies a decline in valuable microorganisms that exert beneficial health effects, such as protection against pathogens and presenting anti-inflammatory properties [219]. Some very interesting reports have been published on the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of different synbiotics in naturally (C57BL/6 mice), genetically (SAMP8 mice), or chemically-induced (d-gal-induced Sprague Dawley rats or C57BL/6 mice) aged rodent models.…”