Why do older people also need to supplement with beneficial bacteria?

A: The gastrointestinal microbiota changes with age, whereby there is a decrease in the number of beneficial bacteria and an increase in some harmful bacteria. These changes are responsible for gastrointestinal disturbances and infections including antibiotic-associated diarrhea, constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome. Supplementation of probiotics in the elderly is necessary to support the establishment of gastrointestinal microbiota balance.