Common Age-Related Changes

1. Perception Changes
- Inhibition deficiencies in older persons can slow down how rapidly they interpret visual
information. Evidence for inhibition deficits in older adults has appeared in studies that task
participants with completing a familiar phrase with an unfamiliar word.
- For example, when asked to complete out loud the sentence "I take my coffee milk and ..."
with the word "pajamas" instead of "sugar," older adults are more likely to first respond
with "sugar" than young participants because they have a harder time inhibiting the high-
probability word to complete the sentence.
- Inhibition is an important part of neural processing throughout the brain, and it plays a
significant role in visual perception. For example, evidence suggests that when we look at an
object or a scene, our brain unconsciously considers alternative possibilities. These
competing alternatives inhibit one another, with the brain effectively weeding out the
competition before perceiving what is there
2. Gastrointestinal Changes
- in the intestines, several factors contribute to changes in the regular gut microbial fauna,
making older people more prone to bloating, pain and bacterial infection. There is also a
drastic age-associated rise in the incidence of several gut pathologies including cancer of the
colon.
- he main role of the digestive system is to mechanically and chemically break down food into
simple components that can be absorbed and assimilated by the body. The gut and
accessory organs also play an important role in the elimination of indigestible food
components, bile pigments, toxins and excess salts. The system performs a range of
anatomically and physiologically distinct functions, each of which is affected differently by
ageing
The ‘anorexia of ageing’
▪ Food intake diminishes with age due to a range of complex reasons that
lead to reduced appetite. These include physiological changes and changes
in psychosocial and pharmacological circumstances.
▪ Appetite is controlled mainly by sensors in the gastrointestinal tract, which
detect the physical presence of food and prompt the GI tract to produce a
range of hormones. These are released before, during and after eating, and
control eating behaviours, including the amount consumed. They include:
o Ghrelin;
o Peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY);
o Cholecystokinin (CCK);
o Insulin;
o Leptin

3. Reduced Metabolism
- As we age, metabolism slows for a variety of reasons including reduced activity, muscle loss,
and the aging of the body’s internal parts. Research has shown that while more than one-
 quarter of Americans age 50 to 65 do not exercise outside of work, that rises to one-third
for those over 75 (Raman, 2017; Watson, 2016). Combined with a 29% drop in calories
burned through non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) by older adults. Regular
exercise has been shown to mitigate this drop in metabolism (Nordqvist, 2017; Raman,
2017; Manini, 2010).
- As we age our metabolism tends to slow with age, making it easier to add a few extra
pounds and harder to lose them.
- A few reasons for this include muscle loss, being less active and the natural aging of your
metabolic processes.
- Luckily, there are many things you can do to combat this age-related drop in metabolism.
4. Less Saliva and Dentition Problems
- Aging affects the salivary glands and alters quantity (flow rate) and quality (e.g., ion and
protein composition, rheology, tribology) of saliva. Thus, older adults may suffer from dry
mouth, taste aberration, and poor oral hygiene, greatly affecting their quality of life.
- Cavities are common in older adults in part because more adults are keeping their teeth for
their lifetime. Because older adults often have receding gums, cavities are more likely to
develop at the root of the tooth.
- Dry mouth also causes bacteria to build up in the mouth more easily, leading to tooth decay.
Medical Problems;
o ORAL CANCER
▪ Oral cancer is more common in people older than age 45, and is twice as
common in men as in women.
▪ Smoking and other types of tobacco use are the most common cause of oral
cancer. Drinking alcohol in excess along with tobacco use greatly increases
the risk for oral cancer.
▪ Other factors that may increase the risk for oral cancer include:
o Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection (same virus that
causes genital warts and several other cancers.
o Poor dental and oral hygiene
o Taking medicines that weaken the immune system
(immunosuppressants)
o Rubbing from rough teeth, dentures, or fillings over a long
period of time
5. Adapting to Dietary Changes
- Eating healthy becomes especially important as you age.
- That’s because aging is linked to a variety of changes, including nutrient deficiencies,
decreased quality of life and poor health outcomes.
- Aging is linked to a variety of changes in the body, including muscle loss, thinner skin and
less stomach acid. Some of these changes can make you prone to nutrient deficiencies,
while others can affect your senses and quality of life.
o For example, studies have estimated that 20% of elderly people have atrophic
gastritis, a condition in which chronic inflammation has damaged the cells that
produce stomach acid. Low stomach acid can affect the absorption of nutrients,
such as vitamin B12, calcium, iron and magnesium
 o Another challenge of aging is a reduced need for calories. Unfortunately, this
creates a nutritional dilemma. Older adults need to get just as much, if not more, of
some nutrients, all while eating fewer calories.
o Fortunately, eating a variety of whole foods and taking a supplement can help you
meet your nutrient needs.
o Another issue people may experience as they age is a reduction in their body’s
ability to recognize vital senses like hunger and thirst (3Trusted Source, This could
make you prone to dehydration and unintentional weight loss.
Things that Needs to be Considered:
- Needing Fewer Calories, but More Nutrients
▪ Older adults generally need fewer calories. However, their nutrient
needs are just as high or higher than when they were younger.
That’s why eating nutrient-rich, whole foods becomes extremely
important.
- More Protein
▪ Eating a protein-rich diet could help fight sarcopenia, the age-
related loss of muscle and strength. Research shows you may get
the most benefits if you combine a protein-rich diet with resistance
exercise.
- More Fiber
▪ Bowel-related issues, including constipation and diverticular
disease, can occur as you age. You can help protect yourself by
increasing your fiber intake.
- Need More Calcium and Vitamin D
▪ Calcium and vitamin D are important nutrients for maintaining
optimal bone health. Your body stands to benefit from getting more
calcium and vitamin D as you age.
- May Need More Vitamin B12
▪ Aging increases the risk of a vitamin B12 deficiency. Older adults can
especially benefit from taking a vitamin B12 supplement or
consuming foods fortified with vitamin B12.
Other Nutrients That May Help You as You Age
- Several other nutrients may benefit you as you age, including:

Potassium: A higher potassium intake is associated with a lower risk of high blood pressure,
kidney stones, osteoporosis and heart disease, all of which are more common among the
elderly .

Omega-3 fatty acids: Heart disease is the leading cause of death among the elderly. Studies
have shown that omega-3 fatty acids can lower heart disease risk factors like high blood
pressure and triglycerides .
 Magnesium: Magnesium is an important mineral in the body. Unfortunately, elderly people
are at risk of deficiency because of poor intake, medication use and age-related changes in
gut function.

Iron: Deficiency is common in elderly people. This may cause anemia, a condition in which
the blood does not supply enough oxygen to the body.

Sources:

https://news.arizona.edu/story/research-shows-how-visual-perception-slows-age

https://www.nursingtimes.net/roles/older-people-nurses-roles/anatomy-and-physiology-of-ageing-3-
the-digestive-system-27-03-2017/

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/metabolism-and-age#TOC_TITLE_HDR_3

https://www.atrainceu.com/content/5-age-related-health-changes

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/nutritional-needs-and-aging