Ageing and nutrition

Abstract

In elderly individuals there is a complex interaction between nutrition and the physiological effects of ageing. Several animal studies have demonstrated that nutritional restriction delays maturation and prolongs life expectancy. The relevance of these findings to humans, however, remains uncertain. With advancing age, the risk of developing serious nutritional deficiencies increases. A number of contributory factors have been identified. Older persons often fail to regulate adequately their caloric intake and develop a physiologic anorexia of ageing. Their nutritional status is further compromised in the presence of debilitating disease, psychologic illnesses and social factors.