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Factors in aging that effect the bioavailability of nutrients
1U.S. Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA. rrussell@hnrc.tufts.edu
The Journal of Nutrition
|April 4, 2001
Summary
Micronutrient bioavailability in elderly humans is not impaired by age but by disease. Further research is needed to understand nutrient absorption and dietary supplement efficacy in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Human Nutrition
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Historically, malabsorption of nutrients in the elderly was attributed to aging.
- Recent understanding indicates disease, not age, is the primary cause of malabsorption in older adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review general principles of nutrient absorption in the elderly.
- To examine the bioavailability of specific micronutrients in older populations.
- To propose future research directions for nutrient and dietary supplement bioavailability in the elderly.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on nutrient absorption and bioavailability in elderly humans.
- Analysis of age-related versus disease-related factors influencing nutrient absorption.
- Identification of specific micronutrients with potential bioavailability challenges in older adults.
Main Results:
- Malabsorption in elderly individuals is predominantly linked to underlying diseases, not the aging process itself.
- Specific micronutrients may present bioavailability issues in older adults, requiring further investigation.
- Current knowledge on nutrient bioavailability in the elderly is limited, necessitating targeted research.
Conclusions:
- Age is not an independent risk factor for general malabsorption in the elderly.
- Disease-specific factors are critical determinants of nutrient bioavailability in older adults.
- A comprehensive research agenda is proposed to address knowledge gaps in nutrient and dietary supplement bioavailability in this demographic.