ABSTRACT
The average life expectancy continues to increase in Western societies. Together with a low nativity, this causes the proportion of seniors to increase presenting a fi nancial challenge to health care systems. However, it also presents an interesting opportunity for products aimed at health maintenance. Ageing predisposes us to a natural degeneration in gastrointestinal (GI) function, epithelial barrier integrity, GI microbiota composition and immune system function (adaptive and innate) elevating the risk of infections. The increased risk of infections together with an increased risk for both chronic and acute infl ammatory responses may enhance the aforementioned phenomenon, further elevating the risk of infection and systemic diseases. These age-related effects can potentially be held back with the use of pro-and prebiotics together with healthy lifestyle and diet choices.
