Gut health is important at every age as it impacts every function in the body. Gut health directly impacts immune health, bone health, cognitive function, cardiovascular health and skin ageing. However as we age our gastrointestinal function slows down affecting the ability to absorb nutrients from daily diet efficiently leading to malnutrition that can trigger onset of disorders like osteoporosis, fatigue, weak immunity, heart ailments, gastrointestinal issues like acidity, constipation, bloating, indigestion.
Probiotics and prebiotics have been investigated for many years for their potential to improve digestive functions and to mitigate the effects of infectious and inflammatory conditions. Probiotics are “live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host.” Prebiotics are non-digestible carbohydrates, which are selectively fermented by the gut microbiota, leading to improvements in health outcomes.
The importance and role of Prebiotics and probiotics in maintaining gut flora and a healthy gastrointestinal function is well researched and authenticated. Benefits of Prebiotics are many, they help in increasing the number of good bacteria in the gut while probiotics provide sustenance and support their proliferation. Although recommended at every age, both are essential for those who have entered their 50s.
Let’s understand how the duo of Prebiotics and Probiotics benefit the gut and why it must be part of your daily diet at 50 plus.
Aids in Nutrient Absorption – One of the most common gastrointestinal (GI) changes that occur as we age, is weakening of absorptive function of the gut, which causes malnutrition, nutrient deficiencies, and malabsorption of micronutrients manifesting into serious disorders. There is growing evidence that probiotics and prebiotics could be used to improve the absorption of micronutrients (such as calcium and iron) from ingested foods. Research shows that probiotics and prebiotics improve nutrient bioavailability and improve nutritional status in later-life.
Supports Gut Flora – We are born with a diverse gut microbiome that supports gastrointestinal health and immunity. However as we age the gut flora diminishes due to various factors – antibiotic use, diseases, infections, hormonal imbalance, circadian rhythm, poor diets etc. Also the gut microbial composition and function changes with age. Intake of daily Probiotics and Prebiotics is hence essential in later-life to support gut bacteria diversity and boost the population of good bacteria in the gut to maintain digestive health.
Maintain Intestinal Integrity – Intestinal integrity, which means intactness of structure and function of the intestines, is important for overall health at older age. Probiotics and prebiotics for elderly help in increasing the number of microbial communities and suppress growth of pathogens, which may harm the walls of the intestine and disrupt digestive function. Probiotics may be able to fortify the intestinal barrier by maintaining tight junctions and inducing mucin production that converts into the lubricating mucous lining of the intestine.
Reduces Gut Inflammation – Studies show that probiotics and prebiotics have the potential to aid healthy ageing by reducing inflammation in the gut. Inclusion of probiotics in daily diet improves gut barrier integrity against inflammation, causing pathogens and providing relief in disorders like inflammatory bowel disease.
Improves Metabolism and Weight Management – People who consume probiotic and prebiotic-rich foods have better gut flora and metabolic function than those who consume processed foods and nutrient poor diets. Probiotic foods help break down indigestible food fibre into short-fatty acids that influence appetite and energy usage effectively. Some probiotic foods inhibit the absorption of dietary fat and prevent weight gain.
Boosts Immunity function – Prebiotics and probiotics are known to maintain digestive health, however research proves their role in supporting the immune system too. Did you know that our “innate immunity” rests inside our gut and which is the first line of defense against pathogenic microorganisms entering our system. Probiotics are known to form protective substances like vitamin K and short fatty acid chains that support the function of immunity-boosting white blood cells in the gut. Hence it is advised to consume probiotic foods like kimchi, yogurt, sauerkraut, kombucha, fermented beets and carrots during a cold or flu for faster recovery.
Supports Overall Wellbeing– Healthy gut microbiome is essential for digestive balance and prebiotics and probiotics are known to restore gut equilibrium by changing the composition of gut bacteria. It aids the proliferation of good bacteria that crowd over disease-causing bad bacteria in the gut, which impact other systems in the body. Gut flora aids in a plethora of digestive and metabolic functions. It helps break down the bile and prevents its reabsorption in the gut, which helps in controlling cholesterol levels in older persons. Probiotics are essential for women in menopausal age as it supports digestive efficiency, which tends to get impacted at this stage. Elderly malnutrition and mal-absorption of dietary nutrients can be improved by probiotics and prebiotics.
Everyday Probiotics and Prebiotics for Happy 50s!
An intake of daily probiotics and prebiotics has a plethora of health benefits and must be ensured with the help of high quality supplementation. Both probiotics and prebiotics may be helpful in preventing malnutrition, particularly in cases of lactose intolerance and issues related to calcium absorption, and in constipation. Probiotics have been shown to clearly boost immunity among the elderly.
Wellbeing Nutrition SLOW capsules are designed using delayed-release nanotechnology that slowly delivers potent prebiotic and multistrain probiotics over 8 hours, in the absorptive, less sensitive areas of your gut to ensure maximum bioavailability of the nutrients.
Also, you can bid goodbye to bloating, acidity, and constipation with a glass of refreshing drink made with Probiotic + Prebiotic effervescent tablets that contain an active blend of 6 Probiotic Cultures containing 18 Billion Colony Forming Units (CFU) per serving. Get clinically-studied food for your healthy bacteria - From Apple Pomace and Chicory Root in each serving.
You can also opt for Melts Healthy Gut, which are oral thin strips that contain naturally extracted probiotics, ACV and plant-based extracts to help prevent digestive issues to give you a healthy, happy gut.
Gut health in your 50s is important to maintain wellbeing and an active lifestyle. It also helps in keeping diseases and disorders that come with ageing but may be prevented in later life by improving gut health with a daily serving of Probiotics and Prebiotic in your diet !
Reference:
Sheridan PO, Bindels LB, Saulnier DM, et al. Can prebiotics and probiotics improve therapeutic outcomes for undernourished individuals?. Gut Microbes. 2014;5(1):74-82. doi:10.4161/gmic.27252
Dharmani P, Srivastava V, Kissoon-Singh V, Chadee K. Role of intestinal mucins in innate host defense mechanisms against pathogens. J Innate Immun. 2009;1(2):123-135. doi:10.1159/000163037
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Probiotics Supplementation Improves Intestinal Permeability, Obesity Index and Metabolic Biomarkers in Elderly Thai Subjects: A Randomized Controlled Trial
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