[Digestion and absorption in elderly man (author's transl)]

Morphologically first indications of an age-related alteration of pancreatic microscopic structures can be proved an age of fourty. In healthy elderly man functional capacity of exocrine pancreas is lowered. It can be proved by means of pancreatic function tests. Normally the digestive capacity will be sufficient provided a reasonable nourishment. Usually the intestinal absorptive capacity tends to decrease in the elderly. But following delayed intestinal transit of nutritients absorption to a certain degree can occur sufficiently. Considering the nutrition of elderly people recommendations are given.