We spoke to Steven Riley, Head of Marketing at Clasado Biosciences, to explore the evolving landscape of gut health innovation, the science driving next-generation prebiotics, and how targeted ingredient solutions are shaping the future of microbiome-focused nutraceuticals.
What is the core scientific rationale behind the idea that “healthy ageing begins in the gut,” and how has evidence evolved in recent years to support this?
From the moment we are born, we carry a relatively high presence of bifidobacteria in the gut. As we age through childhood, that count declines, and with it, the gut microbial composition connected to ageing begins.
What makes this significant is the growing body of research connecting gut microbiome diversity and beneficial bacteria abundance to broader states of ageing, such as inflammation and immunity. Interestingly, new evidence has emerged that found individuals who reach centenarian status tend to show markedly more diverse gut microbiomes than their younger peers.
How do age-related changes in gut microbiota — such as declines in beneficial bacteria and diversity — influence broader aspects of health like immunity, cognition, and inflammation?
Gut bacteria such as bifidobacteria are involved in the production of key metabolites and cytokines that support multiple organ systems across the body. These molecules play an important role in maintaining gut barrier integrity, which helps prevent unwanted pathogens from entering the interior body system, and they contribute to both our innate and adaptive immune defences.
There is also a well-established connection through the microbiota-gut-brain axis, linking gut bacteria to cognitive function and emotional regulation. A decline in beneficial gut bacteria also disrupts the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory signals, driving a more chronic low-grade inflammatory state increasingly associated with age-related conditions.
When we see the decline in gut microbial diversity due to age, there can be signs of corresponding vulnerabilities across all of these systems, which is precisely why supporting the gut microbiome is such a compelling strategy for supporting healthy ageing.
The article highlights prebiotics, especially Bimuno® GOS, as a key tool for supporting healthy ageing. Can you describe the clinical evidence demonstrating its benefits across different systems (gut barrier, immune markers, cognitive/emotional balance)?
Bimuno® GOS is supported by over 25 clinical studies and 130 scientific publications, making it the most comprehensively researched prebiotic GOS ingredient for adult nutrition available to formulators. That breadth of evidence spans several health areas that become increasingly relevant as we age.
On gut health, digestive discomfort and conditions such as IBS can become more prevalent with age, and dietary management, including low-FODMAP approaches, is more commonly required in older populations. Clinical data has shown that Bimuno GOS, used alongside a low-FODMAP diet, delivered greater overall relief of IBS symptoms compared to a control group, with a higher likelihood of symptoms being mild.
On immune function, immunity naturally weakens with age, leaving older individuals more susceptible to illness. Studies on Bimuno GOS have demonstrated a decreased incidence and shorter duration of travellers' diarrhoea versus placebo, alongside increased activity of immune cells involved in anti-pathogenic action and enhanced production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10.
On brain health, stress, anxiety, and shifts in mental wellbeing are realities that many people navigate more acutely as they age. Supplementation with Bimuno GOS has been shown to lower waking cortisol reactivity and reduce attention to negative stimuli whilst increasing attention to positive information, compared with placebo. Bimuno GOS has also been shown in real-world evidence studies to support sleep health, a key component of mental wellbeing.
Another important point of note is speed of action, which matters to today's consumers. Bimuno GOS has been clinically shown to work within seven days, which is an important consideration for any brand looking to demonstrate meaningful, tangible results.
With growing market interest in the ageing population, what opportunities and challenges do formulators face when incorporating prebiotic solutions into products targeting later-life health span?
The opportunity here is a genuine and human one; helping people feel better as they age. Ageing is inevitable, but the day-to-day quality of life that accompanies it is something we can meaningfully influence. Formulators who can translate that message credibly, and back it with robust science, are well-placed to connect with a rapidly growing consumer segment.
The core challenge lies in communication. Gut health is gaining real traction in mainstream awareness, but there remains a gap between scientific and consumer understanding. Bridging that gap, and making the benefits clear, relatable and motivating, will be central to driving adoption.
Looking ahead, where do you see the research on gut microbiome and healthy ageing heading — and what gaps still need to be addressed to bring more effective solutions to market?
Several directions are of particular interest. Research into how prebiotic supplementation can support active, later-life lifestyles will be important, not just showing that it works, but demonstrating that it helps people keep doing the things they want to do as they age.
There is also real potential in the emerging conversation around GLP-1 medications, though the relationship with healthy ageing is nuanced. Whilst these treatments are effective for weight management, they are also associated with loss of lean muscle mass, raising the risk of sarcopenia, which is already a significant concern for older populations. Understanding how prebiotics might complement GLP-1 use, helping to mitigate some of those risks and side effects whilst supporting gut health and adherence, is an area worth watching closely.
Further research that builds on understanding the microbiome patterns that correlate with healthier, longer lives could provide invaluable insights linked to longevity. More broadly, continued efforts to improve public understanding of the distinction between prebiotics and probiotics remain important. The science is advancing, but closing the knowledge gap takes time and consistent effort across the industry.