Abstract/Summary

Probiotics and prebiotics have been the subject of extensive investigations into their role in human health including their effects on risk of age-related chronic diseases. There is good evidence that probiotics and, to a lesser extent prebiotics, can influence immune function in older subjects and counteract immunosenescence and increased inflammation. Probiotics have also been shown to increase the effectiveness of influenza vaccination in the elderly and reduce risk and/or duration of upper respiratory tract infections. Prebiotics and probiotics have been shown to have benefits for common gastrointestinal disorders that are common in older people, especially constipation, and there is some evidence that symptoms of metabolic syndrome can be alleviated by certain probiotics.