--- title: "The Gut Microbiome, Aging, and Longevity: A Systematic Review" description: "The gut microbiome changes significantly with age, showing higher diversity and specific functional shifts in older adults, especially the oldest-old." url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x11.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x11.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x11.html" type: "study" study_key: "x11" journal: "Nutrients" year: 2020 pmid: "33297486" doi: "10.3390/nu12123759" citations: 1 updated: 2026-09-02 author: "Gabriel Radu, DO" author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765." publisher: "Magellan Longevity" content_format: "markdown" --- # The Gut Microbiome, Aging, and Longevity: A Systematic Review [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › The Gut Microbiome, Aging, and Longevity: A Systematic… **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x11.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/x11 ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | Nutrients | | Year | 2020 | | PMID | [33297486](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33297486/) | | DOI | [10.3390/nu12123759](https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12123759) | | Study key | x11 | ## Takeaway The gut microbiome changes significantly with age, showing higher diversity and specific functional shifts in older adults, especially the oldest-old. ## The question What are the aging-associated alterations in the diversity, composition, and functional features of the gut microbiota? ## Hypothesis The gut microbiome undergoes extensive changes across the lifespan, and age-related processes may influence the gut microbiota and its related metabolic alterations. ## Methods This systematic review identified 27 empirical human studies focusing on normal and successful aging to summarize current literature on age-related changes in gut microbiota diversity, composition, and functional features. ## Results Alpha diversity of microbial taxa, functional pathways, and metabolites was higher in older adults, especially the oldest-old, compared to younger individuals. Beta diversity distances significantly differed across developmental stages and between oldest-old and younger-old adults. Older adults showed reduced pathways for carbohydrate metabolism and amino acid synthesis. Oldest-old adults had functional differences, including greater potential for short-chain fatty acid production and increased butyrate derivatives, compared to young-old adults. ## Conclusion Older adults, particularly the oldest-old, exhibit distinct gut microbiota characteristics, including higher alpha diversity and specific functional differences like increased short-chain fatty acid production, which may offer insights into age-related processes. ## Limitations A definitive interpretation of the findings is limited by the cross-sectional design of the published reports included in the review. ## Verbatim from the abstract > the gut microbiome lies at the core of many age-associated changes including immune dysregulation ## Where this study is used on Magellan This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions. | Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages | | --- | --- | --- | | Gut Microbiome Testing | — | — | ## Reference 1. **The Gut Microbiome, Aging, and Longevity: A Systematic Review** Nutrients 2020 · [PMID 33297486](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33297486/) · [DOI 10.3390/nu12123759](https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12123759) > the gut microbiome lies at the core of many age-associated changes including immune dysregulation ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x11.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x11.html","name":"The Gut Microbiome, Aging, and Longevity: A Systematic Review","description":"The gut microbiome changes significantly with age, showing higher diversity and specific functional shifts in older adults, especially the oldest-old.","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x11.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"The Gut Microbiome, Aging, and Longevity: A Systematic…","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x11.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x11.html#study","name":"The Gut Microbiome, Aging, and Longevity: A Systematic Review","headline":"The Gut Microbiome, Aging, and Longevity: A Systematic Review","datePublished":"2020","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"Nutrients"},"identifier":"PMID:33297486","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33297486/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12123759","abstract":"The gut microbiome changes significantly with age, showing higher diversity and specific functional shifts in older adults, especially the oldest-old."}]} ``` ## Related on Magellan Longevity - [Gut microbiota: A player in aging and a target for anti-aging intervention](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/microbiome_aging.md) - [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) - [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md) ## Scope and disclosures Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication. Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases. Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).