Factors affecting dysbiosis of the gut microbiota in the elderly and the progress of interventions in traditional Chinese and Western medicine

As the population ages, intestinal health in the elderly has become a key area of concern, with gut microbiota dysbiosis emerging as a significant issue. This review summarizes the factors influencing dysbiosis and interventions from both traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine, offe...

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Main Authors: Zhi-Jun Zhang, Ru Gao, Yu-Tong Lu, Zhi-Liang Zuo, Yu-Huan Li, Shan Liu, Si-Yuan Song, Yi Wang, Hongyan Lai
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1529347/full
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author Zhi-Jun Zhang
Ru Gao
Yu-Tong Lu
Zhi-Liang Zuo
Zhi-Liang Zuo
Yu-Huan Li
Shan Liu
Si-Yuan Song
Yi Wang
Hongyan Lai
author_facet Zhi-Jun Zhang
Ru Gao
Yu-Tong Lu
Zhi-Liang Zuo
Zhi-Liang Zuo
Yu-Huan Li
Shan Liu
Si-Yuan Song
Yi Wang
Hongyan Lai
author_sort Zhi-Jun Zhang
collection DOAJ
description As the population ages, intestinal health in the elderly has become a key area of concern, with gut microbiota dysbiosis emerging as a significant issue. This review summarizes the factors influencing dysbiosis and interventions from both traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine, offering a reference for future research. A comprehensive search of global databases up to March 2024 identified 617 original studies on gut microbiota dysbiosis in individuals aged 65 and older. After applying strict PRISMA guidelines, 20 articles met the inclusion criteria. Key findings are summarized in four areas: 1) the definition and mechanisms of dysbiosis, 2) evaluation tools for gut microbiota imbalance, 3) factors contributing to dysbiosis in the elderly, and 4) pharmacological treatments. Both TCM and Western medicine offer unique advantages in managing gut microbiota dysbiosis, and the choice of intervention should be tailored to the individual’s condition. Future research should focus on optimizing integrated TCM and Western medicine approaches to improve outcomes for elderly patients with gut microbiota dysbiosis.
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institution Kabale University
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publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
spelling doaj-art-765cd7f703d34571a498ed1e836f04bd2025-08-20T03:39:57ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology2235-29882025-03-011510.3389/fcimb.2025.15293471529347Factors affecting dysbiosis of the gut microbiota in the elderly and the progress of interventions in traditional Chinese and Western medicineZhi-Jun Zhang0Ru Gao1Yu-Tong Lu2Zhi-Liang Zuo3Zhi-Liang Zuo4Yu-Huan Li5Shan Liu6Si-Yuan Song7Yi Wang8Hongyan Lai9Hepatological surgery department, The People’s Hospital of Wenjiang Chengdu, Chengdu, ChinaNursing Department, The People’s Hospital of Wenjiang Chengdu, Chengdu, ChinaNursing Department, The People’s Hospital of Wenjiang Chengdu, Chengdu, ChinaThe Center of Gerontology and Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, ChinaNational Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, ChinaCollege of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, ChinaNursing Department, The People’s Hospital of Wenjiang Chengdu, Chengdu, ChinaDepartment of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United StatesDepartment of Critical Care Medicine, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science and Sichuan, Chengdu, ChinaChongqing Key Laboratory of Big Data for Bio Intelligence, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing, ChinaAs the population ages, intestinal health in the elderly has become a key area of concern, with gut microbiota dysbiosis emerging as a significant issue. This review summarizes the factors influencing dysbiosis and interventions from both traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine, offering a reference for future research. A comprehensive search of global databases up to March 2024 identified 617 original studies on gut microbiota dysbiosis in individuals aged 65 and older. After applying strict PRISMA guidelines, 20 articles met the inclusion criteria. Key findings are summarized in four areas: 1) the definition and mechanisms of dysbiosis, 2) evaluation tools for gut microbiota imbalance, 3) factors contributing to dysbiosis in the elderly, and 4) pharmacological treatments. Both TCM and Western medicine offer unique advantages in managing gut microbiota dysbiosis, and the choice of intervention should be tailored to the individual’s condition. Future research should focus on optimizing integrated TCM and Western medicine approaches to improve outcomes for elderly patients with gut microbiota dysbiosis.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1529347/fullelderlygut microbiota dysbiosisinfluencing factorstraditional Chinese medicine interventionWestern medicine interventionresearch progress
spellingShingle Zhi-Jun Zhang
Ru Gao
Yu-Tong Lu
Zhi-Liang Zuo
Zhi-Liang Zuo
Yu-Huan Li
Shan Liu
Si-Yuan Song
Yi Wang
Hongyan Lai
Factors affecting dysbiosis of the gut microbiota in the elderly and the progress of interventions in traditional Chinese and Western medicine
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
elderly
gut microbiota dysbiosis
influencing factors
traditional Chinese medicine intervention
Western medicine intervention
research progress
title Factors affecting dysbiosis of the gut microbiota in the elderly and the progress of interventions in traditional Chinese and Western medicine
title_full Factors affecting dysbiosis of the gut microbiota in the elderly and the progress of interventions in traditional Chinese and Western medicine
title_fullStr Factors affecting dysbiosis of the gut microbiota in the elderly and the progress of interventions in traditional Chinese and Western medicine
title_full_unstemmed Factors affecting dysbiosis of the gut microbiota in the elderly and the progress of interventions in traditional Chinese and Western medicine
title_short Factors affecting dysbiosis of the gut microbiota in the elderly and the progress of interventions in traditional Chinese and Western medicine
title_sort factors affecting dysbiosis of the gut microbiota in the elderly and the progress of interventions in traditional chinese and western medicine
topic elderly
gut microbiota dysbiosis
influencing factors
traditional Chinese medicine intervention
Western medicine intervention
research progress
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1529347/full
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