ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the nutritional status of the elderly is affected by multiple factors and the biomedical factors. Anorexia is common in the elderly and may lead to actual refusal of food. In addition to socio-behavioral factors, the causes of anorexia are multiple. The incidence of constipation increases with aging. Malnutrition may produce loss of taste acuity which, in turn, may result in anorexia. Chronic diseases, including gastrointestinal disease, alcoholic liver disease, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases and chronic renal disease also cause anorexia. Alcohol decreases food intake by displacing other dietary constituents and by suppressing appetite. The incidence of physical disabilities increases with advanced age. Adrenals from several species show increased connective tissue and lipofuscin pigments with aging. Serum parathyroid hormone concentration in men is increased from age 20 to 50, and then progressively decreased through the age of 90. Drugs modifying or interfering with the normal participation of nutrients in enzymatic reactions may have profound effects on intermediary metabolism.
