Effect of prebiotics on the health of the elderly
2013
Scheid, Marlene Maria Amaral | Moreno, Yara Maria Franco | Maróstica Junior, Mário Roberto | Pastore, Glaucia Maria
The longevity of the human population has increased in many countries, due to better quality of life generated by improved diet and medical advances. Ageing is related to diseases and alteration in the intestinal microbiota that predispose to changes in the immune system and the metabolism of glucose, lipids, and minerals. The use of prebiotics has shown a positive effect on the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) by the intestinal microbiota and has demonstrated efficacy against pathological conditions that are more frequently found, including irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, intestinal cancer and heart disease. However, additional intervention studies should be conducted amongst the elderly to prove the efficacy of prebiotics in this population. Moreover, studies that analyse the mechanisms of action of these compounds during the senescence are particularly important. The aim of this review is to discuss the effect of prebiotics on the health of the elderly people.
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