Effect of Aging On Nutrient Absorption & What It Means

Aging affects everything. The changes you can see and feel are well known, but did you know there are changes that happen in your gut as well? The impact of aging on uptake of nutrients is far more complex than we can think of. This is why the risk of reduced quality of life increases as we age. 

To counter the same, it becomes increasingly crucial to be aware of the changing needs of your body and then, alter your diet, habits and nutritional support practices accordingly.

First, lets learn about the changes in the gut-brain connection -[1]

• With age, stomach acid decreases. 
• This affects absorption of vitamin B12, calcium, iron and magnesium. 
• Risk of deficiency increases.

• Sense of thirst and hunger decreases
• Hunger hormones decrease
• Muscle loss increases

All of this decreases the appetite and makes it more difficult to meet the nutrient needs.

On the other hand where intake and absorption has gone down, need for certain nutrients shoots up.

• Skin becomes thinner and so, the ability to synthesize Vitamin D reduces
• This affects calcium uptake 
• Bone health goes down 
• Medications also interfere with nutrient uptake

In conclusion:

Since aging affects the body, it becomes increasingly difficult to meet your nutritional needs only from food. Thus, to avoid diseases and maintain optimum health, supplements become crucial.