LEARNING OUTCOMES1. Explore how our microbiome changes as we age and what the health consequences of these changes are2. Examine how polypharmacy can affect the gut microbiota and classes of medications known to detrimentally affect microbial balance and diversity3. Discuss the 3 safeguards that protects us, and look at how the deterioration of these increases patient vulnerability as they ageLotta Johansson, BScLotta Johansson is a microbiologist with a special interest in the human microbiome. She has 35 years’ experience in the field of probiotics and is currently based in Stockholm, Sweden, where she specialises in research focussed on the Lactobacillus reuteri species of probiotic. Lotta has a particular passion for communicating the science of probiotics, and helping people appreciate, cherish, and nurture their microbiome.