THE AGING GUT - NUTRITIONAL ISSUES

It is important to understand the factors that affect the nutritional status of older adults. Overall, gastrointestinal function is relative ly well preserved with aging because of the large reserve capacity of this multiorgan system. There are changes in nutritional needs, howeve r, because of the common occurrence of atrophic gastritis with a decre ased ability to secrete gastric acid, as well as the frequent developm ent of lactose maldigestion. Future recommended dietary allowances wil l consider the functional implications of nutrition, and include asses sments of nutrients for prevention of and as markers of chronic diseas es.