Unexplained Weight Loss Among Seniors

For some adults, signs of weight loss, like a slimmer figure or loose-fitting clothes, can spark some joy. After all, research shows that even low-level weight loss (or losing less than 5% of total body weight) can help improve one’s heart, kidney, liver, and metabolic health.¹

Unfortunately, not all weight loss cases are worth celebrating, especially if they happen unexpectedly. According to initial findings, unexpected weight loss can occur in certain groups of people, in particular adults 65 years old and above.²

If you are living with elderly parents, have been tasked to take care of senior citizens, or are personally on the cusp of your retirement years, it is important to be aware of the reasons behind unexpected weight loss as early as now.

Keep reading to understand some causes of sudden weight loss among senior citizens and what can be done to alleviate it before it worsens
 

Why Do Elderly People Suddenly Lose Weight? What You Need to Know

Research has uncovered many potential causes of sudden weight loss among the elderly, and here are a few examples:

1. Physiologic changes to the body: While changes to the body are inevitable as one ages, some of these can ultimately prompt unexpected weight loss in the elderly:³
   1. Slower speed of gastric emptying or gastroparesis, wherein the stomach does not move food fast enough so it can be digested properly⁴
   2. Reduced ability to smell and taste food
   3. Decreased chewing efficiency
   4. Changes to the neuroendocrine axis that can affect levels of leptin and other hormones and peptides
       
2. Certain medications:⁵ Some medicines that senior citizens might be taking can trigger unwanted side effects, raising the risk for unintentional weight loss. These include:⁶
   1. Antibiotics: may cause nausea, vomiting, changes to senses of smell or taste, and/or anorexia
   2. Antihistamines or Anticholinergics: may trigger dry mouth and/or changes to senses of smell or taste
   3. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): may result in dysphagia or swallowing difficulties⁷
       
3. Digestive enzyme deficiency: Located within the various parts of your digestive tract are enzymes that assist in absorbing nutrients from the food you eat. These digestive enzymes are tasked with breaking down certain components found in food. For instance, amylase helps disintegrate carbohydrates and starches, protease assists in breaking down proteins, and lipase targets fats.⁸
   
   However, some people may deal with digestive enzyme deficiencies or insufficiencies due to factors like genetics; gastrointestinal surgeries; and health conditions like chronic pancreatitis, pancreatitis, and cystic fibrosis. These deficiencies can make it hard for the body to digest food properly and take in all the nutrients that can come from it.
   
   If left unaddressed, someone with a digestive enzyme deficiency can suffer from health problems like unexplained weight loss, bloating, abdominal pain, gas, and/or diarrhea.⁹ Even worse, this can increase the risk for malabsorption (a condition wherein the body finds it difficult to absorb nutrients from food)⁴ and/or malnutrition in the elderly because their body cannot receive important nutrients for daily function.¹⁰

A word of caution: These are actually just some of the few reasons why the elderly may suddenly struggle with unexpected weight loss. It is best to consult a doctor immediately in case an elderly person you know or are taking care of exhibits signs of unexpected weight loss and other symptoms.
 

Don’t Let Unexpected Weight Loss Delay Future Plans

Although it can be difficult at first to understand why seniors have to grapple with sudden weight loss, do remember that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Yes, even as one approaches or is already in his or her retirement years, it is still possible to improve overall health by adopting good lifestyle habits or addressing underlying medical conditions responsible for this health issue.

If you are concerned about digestive enzyme deficiency in particular, ask a doctor about Enzymax Forte^®!

It can help address symptoms of functional indigestion that occur because of a digestive enzyme deficiency or imbalance, whether as dyspepsia and/or flatulence. Plus, Enzymax Forte^® is the only digestive enzyme supplement that assists with targeted digestive enzyme delivery to both the stomach and the intestines to ensure that the nutrients reach the right target.¹¹

Enzymax Forte^® is available online and in leading drugstores nationwide at a suggested retail price (SRP) of Php48.00 per capsule and Php960 per box of 20 capsules.¹¹

MAHALAGANG PAALALA: ANG ENZYMAX FORTE® AY HINDI GAMOT AT HINDI DAPAT GAMITING PANGGAMOT SA ANUMANG URI NG SAKIT