Table of contents:
- What are probiotics?
- Benefits of probiotics for the elderly
- The condition of bacteria in the intestines due to aging
- Tips for maintaining probiotics for digestion in the elderly
As we get older, the digestive system shows signs of aging. Digestive problems can also come on more frequently, such as constipation. Therefore, it is important for the elderly to maintain digestive health by paying attention to the sustainability of good bacteria, aka probiotics in the intestines.
What are probiotics?
Probiotics are a collection of good bacteria that "live" in the intestine.
The good bacteria that exist in the body belong to the gut microbiota group. The gut microbiota can be imagined as a dense forest filled with various kinds of microbes, including bad bacteria. Just like forest contents, a number of good bacteria in the gut microbiota can disappear if not properly maintained.
Then, why are probiotics important in maintaining human digestive health?
Quoting from the Cleveland Clinic, probiotics play an important role in:
- Maintain the balance of intestinal microbiota bacteria by fighting bad bacteria
- Helps digest food
- Play a role in making vitamins
- Protects body cells from bad bacteria that are accidentally consumed through food or drink
- Helps drug absorption
Apart from fighting bad bacteria, here are other benefits of probiotics according to studies Interaction Between Intestinal Microbiota and Human Immune System :
- Regulate biological and physiological processes
- Minimizes infection
- Regulate the immune system
Benefits of probiotics for the elderly
As noted earlier, the balance of the gut microbiota has many health benefits. Study The Gut Microbiome of Healthy Long-Living People mentioning the negative effects of decreasing the balance of the gut microbiota are:
- Weaker body
- High risk of inflammation in the body
- Associated with chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes
- Increased risk of degenerative diseases (Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease)
Another benefit of probiotics for the balance of the gut microbiota in the elderly is to make several substances that are good for brain function:
- Short chain fatty acids (SCFA)
- Serotonin
According to studies Gut Microbiota in Common Elderly Diseases Affecting Activities of Daily Living , these substances are claimed to maintain and improve brain function. In addition, the same study also concluded that the combination of the goodness of probiotics and preventive measures, such as diet and being physically active, can help keep the elderly's body healthy.
The condition of bacteria in the intestines due to aging
A number of studies mentioned earlier have shed light on the health-related link of probiotics in the elderly. Unfortunately, the balance of the gut microbiota will likely begin to decline with age. Some of the triggers are:
- Microbiota diversity decreases due to natural aging
- Unhealthy eating patterns, such as rarely eating fruits and vegetables,
- Medicines, such as antibiotics, can reduce the number of good bacteria in the gut
- Lifestyle
Therefore, let's see how to maintain the balance of the intestinal microbiota so that the digestive system remains healthy when you are elderly.
Tips for maintaining probiotics for digestion in the elderly
Probiotics can be maintained with prebiotics. Simply put, prebiotics are "food" for good bacteria in the body. Without prebiotics, the number of good bacteria can decrease.
The decreased microbiota balance will cause dysbiosis or an imbalance in the number of bacteria in the body. A number of ways to maintain a balance of good bacteria in the digestive system include:
- Eat fiber-rich foods (brown rice, spinach, broccoli, apples, pears)
- Eating natural foods that are prebiotic, such as inulin (garlic, onions, kimchi)
- Synbiotic foods
Synbiotic foods are products that contain probiotics and prebiotics. The collaboration of these two things in bringing benefits to the body and is known as synbiotics.
One example of a synbiotic food is milk specially made for the elderly. The combination of probiotics and prebiotics in elderly milk is able to keep good bacteria in the body because it has probiotics, such as Lactobacillus paracasei and prebiotics, such as inulin.
As a result, the elderly phase remains far from health problems, especially for the digestive tract. Always consult a doctor before consuming probiotic foods, such as milk.
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