The gut microbiome as a modulator of healthy ageing

Abstract

The gut microbiome is a contributory factor in ageing-related health loss and in several non-communicable diseases in all age groups. Some age-linked and disease-linked compositional and functional changes overlap, while others are distinct. In this Review, we explore targeted studies of the gut microbiome of older individuals and general cohort studies across geographically distinct populations. We also address the promise of the targeted restoration of microorganisms associated with healthier ageing.

Abstract

In this Review, O’Toole and colleagues discuss the composition and function of the gut microbiome as it relates to ageing and ‘unhealthy’ ageing as well as the potential for microbiome-directed interventions to encourage ‘healthy’ ageing.

Key points

• The gut microbiome is a transducer of environmental signals, modifies the risk of disease across all age groups and changes with host age.

• Age-related alterations in the gut microbiome are influenced by personal factors, including progressive physiological deterioration, as well as by lifestyle-linked factors such as diet, medication and reduced social contact.

• Age-related and disease-related deterioration in the gut microbiome of older people reflect overlapping interactive but distinct processes.

• Resetting gut microbiome-derived signals of ‘unhealthy’ ageing through personalized or subpopulation-level microbiome-associated interventions is a new area of research informed by large shotgun metagenomics-based studies and data analytics.

• Gut microbiome-based therapeutics for older people will need combined approaches, including dietary intervention with microbial restoration of lost strains.