| [ Summary ] |
Altered digestion and absorption in the elderly depend on many factors, such as morphology of the intestinal epithelium, intestinal motility, excretion of gastric and pancreatic juice, excretion of bile salt, bacterial flora, brush border membrane enzymes, membrane transporters, the condition of the unstirred water layer, and blood flow in the intestinal mucosa. In humans, functions of fat absorption, carbohydrate absorption and pancreatic juice excretion are generally decreased in the elderly based on the fat tolerance test, hydrogen breath test, and measurement of fecal chymotrypsin. Advancing age is associated with impaired calcium absorption, as well. However, age does not always influence digestion and absorption. Many functions are well preserved, even in advancing age, and vary markedly among individuals. |