Aging and the Gastrointestinal Tract

Citation

Pilotto, A., Malfertheiner, P. and Holt, P.R. (2004), "Aging and the Gastrointestinal Tract", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 34 No. 1, pp. 48-48. https://doi.org/10.1108/nfs.2004.34.1.48.4

While relatively little information on nutrition in the elderly focuses on the effect of the gastrointestinal tract, this book redresses that balance. The book contains important information that can be included into the patient situation. The first chapter on “epidemiology of gastrointestinal disorders in the elderly” is extremely useful in giving an overview of candidates affecting the gastrointestinal tract and also the proportions of elderly people affected. These candidates are then discussed in great detail later in the book with a chapter devoted to each candidate. A comprehensive discussion of how to assess older patients with gastrointestinal disorders is included with specific examples of where the assessment can be used.

There is good information on the effect of aging on the gut and how this alters the potency of various drugs and prescribed products. Of particular interest is the effect of non‐steroid anti‐inflammatory drugs on the gut.

Overall, the book was extremely easy to read and the chapters well set out with good tables, figures and informative diagrams. The book could be of great use to dietitians, nutritionists, doctors and pharmacists dealing with the elderly.