Gut microbiome as a driver of healthy ageing

Title : Gut microbiome as a driver of healthy ageing

Abstract:

The gut microbiome is a complex and dynamic microbial ecosystem that plays a pivotal role in metabolic regulation, immune modulation, and neurological function across the human lifespan. Ageing is associated with marked alterations in gut microbiota composition, influencing susceptibility to inflammation, metabolic disorders, cognitive decline, and frailty. Chronological ageing is typically characterised by a decline in dominant beneficial taxa, including Faecalibacterium, Roseburia, Coprococcus, Eubacterium rectale, Lactobacillus, and Bifidobacterium, alongside an increased abundance of alternative commensal and pathogenic microorganisms. Distinct microbiome signatures differentiate healthy from unhealthy ageing, with healthy ageing associated with enrichment of taxa such as Akkermansia, Odoribacter, Barnesiella, Butyricimonas, Butyricicoccus, Oscillospira, and Christensenellaceae, whereas unhealthy ageing is marked by reduced microbial diversity and expansion of potentially pathogenic bacteria, including Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia sp., Streptococcus, and disease-associated Clostridium species.

Emerging evidence highlights the combined influence of geography and habitual diet on age-related gut microbiome profiles. Urban and rural elderly populations display distinct microbial diversity and compositional patterns, reflecting differences in dietary intake. Diets enriched in plant-based foods, fermented products, and freshwater fish protein sources are associated with higher abundances of health-promoting and butyrate-producing genera, including Bifidobacterium, Blautia, Fusicatenibacter, Roseburia, and Lachnospira. Advancing age is further associated with reduced microbial richness and declines in key fibre-fermenting taxa.

Targeting the microbiome through integrated strategies, including probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, and targeted dietary strategies, holds strong potential to improve gut health and positively influence ageing outcomes and longevity.

Biography:

A/Prof. Thi Thu Hao Van holds a PhD in Molecular Microbiology from RMIT University, Australia, awarded in 2007. Her research focuses on identifying pathogenic and beneficial bacteria, characterising and manipulating gut microbiota, and developing intervention strategies—including probiotics, postbiotics and vaccines—to promote gut and overall health in poultry and humans. She leads the Microbes in Health and Disease Lab at RMIT University and has authored over 120 peer-reviewed publications, demonstrating her sustained contribution and leadership in microbiology and gut health research.