Why Your Favorite Foods Hit Different As You Age

Your digestion can really take a hit when you roll into your 40s+ era. Remember when you could eat anything without a second thought? Now, a cheesy pizza or a rich dessert might leave you feeling less than great. Our digestive systems change as we age, and we can become intolerant to foods that never bothered us before. This can lead to gas, bloating, cramps, and other not-so-fun symptoms. But you don’t need to start following a totally bland diet just yet! By understanding what’s happening inside your gut and making a few adjustments, you can keep enjoying most of your favorite foods without suffering the consequences. So let’s have a deeper look at why digestion gets trickier over time and what you can do about it.

Why Do Food Intolerances Develop as We Age?

Our bodies change as we grow older and the digestive system is no exception. Some of the key factors that lead to this digestive disruption include:

1. Enzyme Decline: Digestive enzymes are proteins that help break down the food we eat into nutrients our bodies can absorb. However, our bodies produce fewer enzymes as we age, particularly lactase (the enzyme that breaks down lactose) and amylase (which helps digest carbohydrates). This decline can make it harder to digest certain foods, which is where symptoms like bloating, gas, and discomfort come in.
2. Changes in Gut Microbiome: The balance of bacteria in our gut can shift as we age when the “good” bacteria (also known as probiotics) in our system gets outnumbered. This can affect digestion and often results in food sensitivities or intolerances.
3. Cumulative Effects of Diet and Lifestyle: Over time, stress, poor dietary habits, or medications can take a toll on the digestive system, making it more sensitive to certain foods. So whilst a certain lifestyle might have worked for you in your 20s, you may find your body disagreeing with it 20 years later (that hangover starting to hit from just 2 glasses of wine is no joke.)
4. Weaker Stomach Acid Production: Stomach acid plays a key role in breaking down food and absorbing nutrients. The problem is that our acid production reduces with age, which makes it harder for the gut to digest food, thus mimicking the symptoms of food intolerances. If this is the problem, rather than an actual food intolerance, you can address it by increasing acidity which we’ll get to later.

Common Symptoms of Food Intolerances

Food intolerances aren’t always obvious and can often be mistaken for other issues such as a stomach bug etc. But here are some telltale signs:

• Bloating or gas
• Cramping or abdominal pain
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Fatigue after meals
• Headaches or brain fog
• Skin issues, such as rashes or eczema

The thing to note here is regularity. If you notice these symptoms every time you eat certain foods, you may have developed an intolerance. If not, you might not be at the intolerance level yet but your digestive system is definitely having some difficulties that need to be addressed.

How to Address Food Intolerances and Poor Digestion

If you’re struggling with digestive issues, dealing with them doesn’t have to mean giving up all your favorite foods. There might be a few that stay in the no-go zone regardless of what you try, but with a bit of trial and error you’ll find alternatives that mean you can still enjoy a varied diet.

1. Keep a Food Journal: Track what you eat and how you feel afterward. This can help you identify patterns and pinpoint problematic foods.
2. Experiment with Elimination Diets: Temporarily remove the trigger suspects from your diet and reintroduce them one at a time to see if symptoms return.
3. Add Digestive Enzymes to Your Routine: Digestive enzyme supplements can help bridge the gap when your body’s natural enzyme production declines. Broad-spectrum enzyme supplements, like those in our Digestive Catalyst will support the digestion of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Or you can look at a supplemented targeted at a specific symptom such as Bloat Control which contains both digestive enzymes and probiotics to tackle this problem.
4. Support Your Gut Health: Make sure to add probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kefir, and fermented vegetables to your diet to keep those good bacteria thriving. Or consider a high-quality probiotic supplement to restore balance to your gut microbiome.
5. Consult a Professional: If your symptoms persist or worsen, consider seeking guidance from a healthcare provider or nutritionist to rule out more serious conditions like celiac disease or IBS. Our consultants are also always available on our Facebook direct messenger for a 1:1 consultation that can point you in the right direction.

Preventing Future Issues

While you can’t turn back the clock, you can support your digestion and reduce the likelihood of developing new food intolerances:

1. Stay Hydrated: Water aids digestion and helps your body absorb nutrients.
2. Eat Mindfully: Chew your food thoroughly and avoid overeating to reduce strain on your digestive system.
3. Choose Whole Foods: Minimize processed foods as these are harder to digest and often contain additives that can trigger sensitivities.
4. Manage Stress: Chronic stress can seriously mess with your gut. Try adding some relaxation techniques like deep breathing or yoga into your routine. Whatever helps you manage stress better, do it.

Fix What You Can & Adapt Where Needed

Aging doesn’t have to mean either giving up the foods you love or living the rest of your life feeling uncomfortable after meals. Understanding food intolerances and supporting your digestion can help you take control of your health. Small changes like tracking your diet and keeping those digestive enzymes topped up can make a big difference in how you feel every day.

It does take a bit of patience, there’s no doubt about it, but it’s 100% worth it when you finally start to enjoy meal time again. All of the new changes you start to make now will feel like a normal part of your regular routine in just a few months. So give it time, stick with it, and you’ll see things change for the better. Don’t wait until it gets worse to start improving your digestive health.

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