Although younger individuals can consume anything they desire without issue, elderly persons frequently experience a diminished appetite. Understanding the reasons behind this is crucial for maintaining health regardless of one’s stage in life.
"Susanne Klaus, a lead researcher at the German Institute of Human Nutrition, suggested that our bodies provide cues about what and when to eat, and perhaps we ought to pay attention," she stated.
It makes sense, but our body’s demand for energy varies over the course of our lives.
As babies, we rely on our parents for feeding with spoons; during childhood, we might sneak candies and treats behind their backs; as teens, we often eat voraciously; finally, in adulthood, our meals become lighter and more refined. These shifts in appetite reflect how our dietary habits evolve over time. Grasping these changes can contribute significantly to maintaining optimal health throughout our lives.
The hormones responsible for appetite and their functioning
Fundamentally, consuming food serves a practical purpose: We rely on the energy it provides to stay alive.
In our diet, carbohydrates get transformed into energy, whereas fats and amino acids assist in producing essential proteins and other components necessary for the body’s operations.
To make sure these processes function smoothly, the body possesses specialized systems to maintain a consistent energy supply.
These regulatory processes govern feelings of hunger and fullness," explained Klaus. "These primarily involve signals originating from the stomach and intestines, along with hormonal cues, including leptin—a hormone produced by fatty tissues—that sends messages to the primary region within the brain known as the hypothalamus. Similar to how we breathe without conscious thought, this system operates autonomously.
These biochemical triggers that push us toward (or away from) searching for food are often referred to as hunger hormones. Among these, ghrelin is possibly the most recognized hunger hormone next to leptin.
Ghrelin, which is produced by the stomach and enters the bloodstream, signals our brain to initiate food intake. Once we feel satiated, the secretion of ghrelin decreases, leading to a sense of fullness.
Other hormones also control sensations of satiety and hunger. They encompass insulin along with other pancreatic hormones like GLP-1 that suppress appetite; these are targeted by medications for diabetes. Ozempic , mimics.
The mechanics of digestion
Whenever these hormones encourage you to put food in your mouth, your body employs digestion to essentially consume your meal.
The mechanical breakdown of food starts in your mouth, where you chew and break the food into smaller, softer pieces for easier swallowing. As this semi-liquid mixture moves through the esophagus towards your stomach, it undergoes peristaltic movements during this transit.
During this procedure, chemical digestion takes place as well. It starts in the mouth with salivary amylase breaking down carbohydrates found in food. Further along, additional digestive enzymes within the stomach complete this task until eventually, water and nutrients get absorbed through the intestinal walls into the bloodstream.
How your hunger patterns evolve as you get older
This craving for food intensifies as you enter adolescence. The body demands more energy to support its primary growth phase—puberty—which drives it towards physical and sexual maturation.
However, maintaining proper nutrition throughout one’s lifetime can pose challenges. Particularly for elderly individuals, their bodies may become less efficient at signaling the required nutrient consumption. Various studies have indicated alterations in the pattern of hunger hormones as people age.
"As individuals get older, they typically experience a reduction in muscle mass, and muscle is the tissue that consumes the greatest amount of energy," explained Klaus.
However, a key reason for the decrease in muscle mass is not eating enough protein.
According to Daniel Crabtree, a researcher specializing in late-life stage nutrition at the University of Aberdeen, "The consumption of proteins during old age falls below the suggested levels, and these guidelines may still underestimate how crucial increased protein intake is for maintaining muscle mass as we get older."
Crabtree acknowledged that despite recommendations, elderly individuals often consume less protein than advised. This could be due to various physiological factors associated with aging, such as dental issues or alterations in taste and smell perception.
Edited by: Zulfikar Abbany
Author: Matthew Ward Agius
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