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It's common to lose appetite as we get older, but there are ways to counteract this. To do this, you can add lemon juice, vinegar, or flavorings to your food. You can also reduce your salt intake. People who are older should follow a low-salt diet.
decreased saliva secretion
As we age, several changes occur in the digestive system, including a decrease in saliva secretion. One-third of people over 65 years of age have this problem. It is not a normal part of aging. It can be caused by many diseases. Poor dental health is usually accompanied by a decrease in saliva secretion, which can reduce the sense of taste and lead to loss of appetite. Besides
diabetes, Parkinson's disease, cancer, and anemia, a decrease in saliva secretion may also be a sign of other health conditions. Lupus also causes it, as well as an autoimmune disease called sicca syndrome, which attacks the saliva and tear glands in the mouth. It affects about 4 million people in the United States.
Drug side effects
There are many reasons why drugs can cause loss of appetite, some drugs affect the gastrointestinal tract and prevent nutritional substances from being properly absorbed. If you are losing your appetite, you should contact your doctor to get the right treatment. If you continue taking the medication, some side effects will disappear within a few weeks. Some side effects are temporary.
Chronic kidney and liver disease, as well as lack of exercise and dehydration, can also cause loss of appetite. Many elderly people lack drinking water and become dehydrated due to drug treatment.
Nutrient deficiencies
Although anorexia is a symptom of aging, it may also be a sign of serious health problems. You should eat enough food to meet the nutritional needs of your body. A poor diet can cause malnutrition and loss of appetite. Due to a diet lacking essential nutrients, the body slows down its metabolism to conserve energy. To solve this problem, older people should eat large amounts of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein.
Anorexia is closely related to aging, because nutritional deficiencies lead to malnutrition and weight loss. Nutritional deficiencies weaken bones and skin, which affects quality of life and ability to function. Also, poor diet reduces the levels of vitamin D and calcium in the body, leading to osteoporosis and fractures. Anorexia can also be a sign of changes in the body, and there are medications that can increase anorexia.
