RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Age-dependent changes in GI physiology and microbiota: time to reconsider?
JF Gut
JO Gut
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Society of Gastroenterology
SP 2213
OP 2222
DO 10.1136/gutjnl-2017-315542
VO 67
IS 12
A1 Ran An
A1 Ellen Wilms
A1 Ad A M Masclee
A1 Hauke Smidt
A1 Erwin G Zoetendal
A1 Daisy Jonkers
YR 2018
UL http://gut.bmj.com/content/67/12/2213.abstract
AB Our life expectancy is increasing, leading to a rise in the ageing population. Ageing is associated with a decline in physiological function and adaptive capacity. Altered GI physiology can affect the amount and types of nutrients digested and absorbed as well as impact the intestinal microbiota. The intestinal microbiota is considered a key player in our health, and a variety of studies have reported that microbiota composition is changing during ageing. Since ageing is associated with a decline in GI function and adaptive capacity, it is crucial to obtain insights into this decline and how this is related to the intestinal microbiota in the elderly. Hence, in this review we focus on age-related changes in GI physiology and function, changes of the intestinal microbiota with ageing and frailty, how these are associated and how intestinal microbiota-targeted interventions may counteract these changes.