Gastrointestinal Function in the Elderly

It is commonly believed that intestinal function déclines significantly with increasing âge. Elderly people express gastrointestinal complaints more frequently than younger people and some disorders (e.g., diverticulosis, ischémie bowel disease) occur primarily in the elderly. In addition, most elderly people take médications, and many of thèse agents hâve significant effects on gastrointestinal function as well as on food intake. Data collected during the first phase of the Georgia Centenarian Study illustrate the prevalence of gastrointestinal complaints with increasing âge and their potential significance for nutritional status (Table 1) (1). This chapter summarizes récent human studies of aging and the digestive system, emphasizing physiologie altérations associated with "normal" aging, particularly those that might affect nutritional requirements. Several comprehensive reviews are available (2-5).