Atrophic gastritis, elderly

In this sense, it has also to be considered on one hand that high doses of folic acid may mask the megaloblastic anaemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency seen in elderly people as a result of atrophic gastritis. On the other hand, we have to be aware that vitamin Bg status is primarily a determinant of postprandial Hey levels, but not fasting levels. Thus, in studies of B vitamin supplements and Hey, it often appears that vitamin Bg has little effect on Hey levels because these studies typically only look at fasting Hey levels. 

Krasinski, S.D., Russell, R.M., Samlolf, I.M., Jacob, R.A., Dallal, G.E., McGandy, R.B., and Hartz, S.C., 1986. Fundic atrophic gastritis in an elderly population effect on hemoglobin and several serum nutritional indicators. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 34 800-806. 

Dietary deficiency of vitamin B occurs only in strict vegans, as the vitamin is found almost exclusively in animal foods. However, functional deficiency (pernicious anaemia, with spinal cord degeneration), as a result of impaired absorption, is relatively common, especially in elderly people with atrophic gastritis. 

Calcium Adequate calcium intake is required to maintain bone mineral density and reduce the risk of osteoporosis in the elderly. In addition to the reduced absorption of calcium by elderly people that results from age-related changes in vitamin D metabolism, the elderly also show a reduced ability to increase the efficiency of calcium absorption as an adaptive response to low-calcium diets. Also, as noted earlier, the low-acid conditions resulting from atrophic gastritis can reduce calcium absorption. Dietary calcium reacts with hydrochloric acid in the stomach to form soluble calcium chloride, which is absorbed in the small intestine. In the United States, the recommended calcium intake is 1200mg/day for men and women older than age 70. Many elderly people may benefit from calcium supplements. 

The prevalence of Gram-negative bacilli colonization depends on the type of surgery (see text). d Atrophic corpus gastritis (prevalent in the elderly due to the high prevalence and duration of H. pylori colonization in this age cohort). 

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