Age & Digestion: How Does Age Affect Digestion?
It is a known fact that with ageing, many bodily functions slow down; this includes your digestive tract. It might not function as efficiently or as quickly as it once did. As we age, the muscles of the digestive tract become stiffer, weaker, and less efficient. Moreover it is also more likely that your tissues will become damaged since new cells aren’t forming as quickly as they once did.
What Is Digestion?
Digestion breaks large, insoluble molecules of food down into small, water-soluble molecules that can be absorbed into the bloodstream. The digestion happens in the digestive system and the digestive system includes the mouth, pharynx (throat), oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus. The role of the digestive system is to break down food into nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats and proteins.
Digestion takes place in two stages. During the first stage of digestion, food is physically broken down into smaller pieces in the mouth. In the second stage, digestive enzymes are responsible for breaking down the food into small molecules in the gastrointestinal tract. Food remains in the stomach for a few hours or so and then enters the small intestine, where enzymes further digest the food components.
The digestive system’s main purpose is to mechanically and chemically break down food so that it can be absorbed and assimilated by the body. However, the gut and accessory organs also help eliminate indigestible food components, bile pigments, toxins, and excess salts. A wide variety of anatomical and physiological functions are conducted by the system, each of which is affected differently by ageing.
How Does Ageing Affect Digestion?
Digestive enzyme levels decrease as you age, generally starting in your 50s. One particular enzyme is hydrochloric acid. The digestive enzymes help break down food; a decrease in their number makes it harder for the body to digest food and can lead to gut imbalance. Symptoms can include frequent constipation, diarrhoea, or heartburn. Food particles can pass through the gut lining and filter into the bloodstream in extreme cases, which can trigger inflammation and many other digestive problems.
Digestive Problems That Can Occur As People Age:
- Heartburn
- Peptic ulcers
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Haemorrhoids
- Gas
- Stomach pain
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Diverticulitis
- Faecal incontinence
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and more.
What Can You Do To Prevent Digestive Problems As You Age?
Consider doing these 5 steps to help prevent digestive problems as you age.
1. Stay Active:
Exercise and physical activity have many health benefits, including preventing constipation. You can lead a healthy lifestyle by engaging in at least 150 minutes of physical activity a week.
2. Maintain A Healthy Diet:
Most importantly reduce salt consumption, add fibre to your meals by including fruits, raw vegetables and whole grains. All day long, drink water or other non-caffeinated, non-alcoholic beverages. Protein sources like beans, fish and lean meat should be consumed, and white foods such as bread, rice, and potatoes should be avoided. You should avoid foods that trigger heartburn or reflux.
It’s different for everyone, so if you are uncertain about which foods cause you to have issues, try an elimination diet. Find out if you have food allergies or food sensitivities by speaking to your physician.
3. Consider A Probiotic:
It is known that the “good” bacteria in our digestive tract play an important role in digestive health. Probiotics contain these good bacteria, which sometimes aid digestion and chronic constipation. If the level of this bacteria is low, symptoms such as constipation and bloating can occur.
4. Reduce Stress:
Stress and responsibilities can increase as we age. As a result of stress, gastric acid levels may increase, resulting in symptoms such as heartburn and indigestion. The best way to reduce indigestion and stress is through regular exercise, relaxation techniques like yoga and meditation. Make sure you get enough sleep as well.
5. Maintain A Healthy Weight:
In adults over the age of 50, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most common upper digestive tract condition. This condition occurs when stomach acid backs up into the oesophagus, causing heartburn and other symptoms. Weight gain is one of the leading causes of GERD, as excess weight increases abdominal pressure, causing stomach acids to leak or back up. Maintaining a healthy weight is essential for good digestive health since it not only decreases the risk of GERD, but allows better mobility and physical activity as well.
Bottom Line: Digestive issues aren’t always easy to diagnose or treat, but the effort to solve them is well worth it.
