A BENEO-Orafti Newsletter - Spring 2008 - Nr. 18:
Prebiotics and healthy ageing
Preface by Dr. Anne Franck
As the population is ageing worldwide the WHO estimates that people aged 60 years or over will exceed 1 billion by 2020. With ageing comes a reduction in overall health and increased morbidity due to both chronic diseases and acute infections, many associated with the gastro-intestinal tract. Therefore the elderly is a target of particular interest for dietary modulation of the gut microbiota and associated digestive health. Recent studies have shown indeed that the gut microflora changes in old age, with an increased number of bacterial groups represented, and this may contribute to increased disease susceptibility.
The present Scientific Monitor focuses on the role of prebiotics - especially inulin-type fructans - in healthy ageing, looking not only at effects on the balance of the intestinal microbiota and associated gut function, but also at improved quality of life. For the elderly, well-being remains strongly associated with leading a healthy, active and independent life.
In this issue we also come back to the recent creation of the BENEO-Group, composed of the leading food ingredients companies BENEO-Orafti, BENEO-Palatinit and BENEO-Remy. The Group’s mission ‘Connecting nutrition and health’ shows our commitment to science, innovation and consumer health.
In April, the BENEO-Group organised in Brussels its 1st European Scientific Symposium on the Impact of Functional Carbohydrates on Energy Metabolism (see on page 15).
We will report extensively on the Symposium and the latest research results in the field of functional carbohydrates in the next issue of this scientific newsletter which will be revamped as a BENEO-Group periodical, with a new name and a new look.
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