Which nutrient do the elderly have problems absorbing?

Elderly persons show reduced absorption of calcium, in general, which is related to age-related changes in vitamin D metabolism.

Why do older people not absorb B12?

As people get older, their ability to absorb vitamin B12 decreases. This is because aging adults often develop problems with the acids and stomach enzymes needed to process the vitamin.

How does aging affect the GI system?

Aging puts the body at higher risk for an assortment of health ailments and conditions. With age, many bodily functions slow down, including your digestive tract — it just might not work as efficiently or as quickly as it used to. The muscles in the digestive tract become stiffer, weaker, and less efficient.

What are common nutrient deficiencies in older adults?

Among elderly, deficiency of vitamin B12, B6 and folate are known to affect cognitive functioning and is accompanied with depressive symptoms prevalent among older adults [50, 51].

Is it normal for elderly to have atrophic gastritis?

Atrophic gastritis is common in elderly people, resulting in hypochlorhydria and reduced gastric secretion. There is no consensus whether atrophic gastritis and the decrease in gastric acid secretion are normal processes of aging or a result of Helicobacter pylori infection.

What are the two types of atrophic gastritis?

It is described as an atrophy of the gastric mucosa. There are two types of atrophic gastritis: a gastric body predominant type in patients with infection of Helicobacter pylori, and an autoimmune type, limited to the gastric body and fundus. The autoimmune type is quite rare and affects people of all ethnicities.

Can a family member be affected by autoimmune gastritis?

Overtime, this can wear away the stomach’s protective barrier and interfere with the absorption of several key vitamins (i.e. vitamin B 12, iron, folate). This leads to the signs and symptoms of autoimmune atrophic gastritis. [4] [7] In some cases, more than one family member can be affected by autoimmune atrophic gastritis.

How does chronic atrophic gastritis cause pernicious anemia?

The severe chronic atrophic gastritis is caused by autoimmune (type A) gastritis that destroys parietal and chief cells but spares the antrum. The resultant absence of intrinsic factor leads to pernicious anemia because of failure of cobalamin absorption in the terminal ileum (12 ).