A BENEO-Orafti Newsletter - Spring 2008 - Nr. 18:
Prebiotics and healthy ageing

In the picture: Prebiotics and healthy ageing

Prebiotic effects are of particular importance during ageing given that a well-balanced intestinal microbiota community is associated with an improved inner protection and overall health and well-being. New findings from a life-long supplementation with Orafti®Synergy1 in rats demonstrate its beneficial impact in the ageing process resulting in an improved quality of life and life prolongation.

In our industrialised societies, people are living longer and the mean age will keep increasing as well as the fraction of the population above the age of sixty-five. In this elderly population, well-being is closely related to leading an active, healthy and independent life.

Ageing is associated with changes in physiology, morphology and immune responsiveness and nutritional strategies to decrease morbidity and to prolong life are therefore of high interest.
The reduction in overall health that occurs during the ageing process is often accompanied by an increase in chronic and acute infections of which many have their origins in the gastrointestinal tract. To maintain in good health at elderly age, an optimal homeostasis of the intestinal tract and its microbiota occupies an important place as the gut microbiota is an important determinant of digestive health.

The microbiota of the colon consists of many types of bacteria which interact with the host. Within the microbial ecology of the intestinal tract, age-related changes occur at the population level of dominant groups of bacteria, e.g. with decreased levels of bifidobacteria and elevated levels of clostridia, streptococci and enterobacteria (Mitsuoka et al. 1973). Such alterations in the microbial ecology of the gastrointestinal tract can result in alfunctioning of the intestines leading to inconveniences such as constipation, and increase the risk of developing diseases such as colitis or colon cancer.

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