LEHTORANTA LIISA*, LEHTINEN MARKUS
*Corresponding author
DuPont Nutrition and Health, Kantvik, Finland

Abstract

Probiotics are being investigated to counteract age-associated microbiota dysbiosis and decline of immune function. Thus far, probiotic effects on the elderly microbiota have not been well characterized. 

In contrast, several clinical studies have investigated the role of specific probiotics in maintaining elderly cellular immune function, focusing on Natural Killer cell activity and polymorphonuclear cell phagocytic capacity. Meta-analysis has shown that Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 may improve both outcomes in the elderly. In general, probiotics are considered potential supplements for reducing the risk of infectious diseases and improving vaccine responses in the elderly. However, the link between the modification of the microbiota, the stimulation of the immune system by Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 and other probiotics and the improvement of health in the elderly remains to be established.  This review aims to discuss the effect of Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 on the elderly microbiota and immune function in the broader context of probiotics.

INTRODUCTION

Health care has improved globally in recent decades and it is now expected that most people reach the age of 60 and beyond in low and middle-income countries. In the high-income countries life expectancy has been increasing (1) and thus healthy aging is becoming a key public health target. Furthermore, health consciousness of senior consumers has increased and they are looking for nutritional aids to improve their quality of life.

Aging and age-related loss of health are associated with altered gut microbiota (“dysbiosis”) (2) and immunological aging (“immunosenescence”) (3). Current scientific literature clearly points to an intimate interplay between gut microbiota and immune function, and associates dysbiosis and immunosenescence with an increased susceptibility to infections, infectious diarrhea, decreased vaccine responses, and frailty. Nutritional supplementations, such as probiotics, that target both the microbiota and immune function, are being investigated as a means to counteract dysbiosis and immunosenescence. As preclinical and clinical studies have shown, there is variation between probiotic strains in thei ...