Probiotics and prebiotics in the elderly

• Published in: Postgraduate medical journal Vol. 80; no. 946; pp. 447 - 451
• Main Author: Hamilton-Miller, J M T
• Format: Journal Article Book Review
• Language: English
• Published: London The Fellowship of Postgraduate Medicine 01.08.2004; BMJ; Oxford University Press; BMJ Group
• Subjects: 20th century; Aged; Anti-Bacterial Agents - adverse effects; Bacteria; Biological and medical sciences; Clinical trials; Clinical Trials as Topic; Constipation; Constipation - diet therapy; Diarrhea - chemically induced; Diarrhea - diet therapy; Dietary supplements; elderly; Food; FOS; Fruit juices; General aspects; GOS; Humans; Immune system; Immunity, Innate - physiology; Immunology; LAB; lactic acid producing bacteria; Lactobacillus; Lactose; Malnutrition; Malnutrition - diet therapy; Medical sciences; Milk; natural killer (cells); Oligosaccharides - therapeutic use; Physiology; Prebiotics; Probiotics; Probiotics - supply & distribution; Probiotics - therapeutic use; Review; synthetic oligosaccharide based on fructose; synthetic oligosaccharide based on glucose; Yogurt; Human; Medicine; Probiotic; Elderly
• ISSN: 0032-5473; 1469-0756
• DOI: 10.1136/pgmj.2003.015339

Probiotics (usually lactobacilli and bifidobacteria) and prebiotics (non-digestible oligosaccharides) have been shown to be useful in preventing certain disease conditions as well as possibly promoting specific aspects of health. In the present review, the evidence from clinical trials for benefits from probiotics and prebiotics to elderly populations is presented and discussed, specifically in respect of three common conditions found in the elderly. Both probiotics and prebiotics may be helpful in malnutrition, particularly in lactose intolerance and calcium absorption, and in constipation. Probiotics have been shown clearly to boost immunity in the elderly, but the clinical significance of this remains to be clarified. These results are encouraging, and further large scale studies seem justified to establish the place of probiotic and prebiotic supplements in elderly subjects.