The aging gut and the role of prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics: A review

The United States (US) Census Bureau estimates the current US population at 301 million with elderly people (>65 years old) accounting for 36 million. Within this group, the fastest growing segment of the population is >85 years of age, which currently numbers ∼5 million and is expected to rise to ∼20 million by 2050. Over the decades there has been speculation that gastrointestinal structure and function decline with age. Therefore, the physiological changes in the gut with aging and their clinical implications have become important topics for discussion. This review also attempts to document the role of probiotics in enhancing gut activity in older persons.