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Gut microbiota and aging: current understanding and future perspectives.

Meng Lan¹, Huiping Ding¹, Yu Cao¹

¹State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China.

Molecular Biomedicine

|June 24, 2026

Summary

The gut microbiota significantly influences aging, with changes like reduced diversity linked to age-related decline. Interventions targeting the gut microbiome show promise for promoting healthy aging.

Keywords:

Aging Gut barrier Gut microbiota Inflammaging Microbiota-based interventions

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Area of Science:

Microbiology
Gerontology
Immunology

Background:

Aging is a complex process involving functional decline and increased disease risk.
The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in aging and age-related health.
Dysbiosis of gut microbiota is associated with aging hallmarks.

Purpose of the Study:

To systematically review the relationship between gut microbiota and aging.
To discuss mechanistic links between gut dysbiosis and age-related decline.
To summarize microbiota-targeted anti-aging interventions and future directions.

Main Methods:

Systematic review of current research on gut microbiota and aging.
Analysis of characteristic alterations in gut microbiota during aging.
Examination of mechanistic links and influencing factors.

Main Results:

Aging is associated with reduced microbial diversity and altered metabolite profiles.
Gut microbiota dysbiosis contributes to immunosenescence, inflammaging, and metabolic disorders.
Diet, medication, lifestyle, and environment impact elderly gut microbiota.

Conclusions:

The gut microbiota is a key modifiable factor in aging.
Targeting the gut microbiota offers potential for promoting healthy aging.
Further research and clinical translation are needed for microbiota-based interventions.