Intersections of gastrointestinal dysbiosis of the gut microbiome and aging.

Abstract

Geriatric syndromes such as frailty and sarcopenia are multidomain indicators of functional status in relation to the chronic disease burden of an aging adult. The human microbiota has gained increasing spotlight in regulating key aspects inherent of aging. In this review, we survey the current literature exploring the pathophysiological intersections of the gut microbiome and the aging process and associated geriatric syndromes that ultimately influence health span and lifespan. We discuss how intrinsic and extrinsic factors can influence age-related gut dysbiosis and propose areas of future directions for further research for identifying therapeutic targets to promote healthy aging.