Mailbag: "Digestive Drama" Strikes MILLIONS Over 50

By Dr. Scott Olson, ND Posted April 29, 2025

“As an older woman I’m noticing changes in my digestion. Why does it become more difficult to digest food as we get older?”

—Grumbling Gut

Age-related changes to digestion are common, and they don’t get talked about nearly enough.

It seems our stomachs decide to alter the rules just when we’ve mastered the game of eating!

If you’ve ever wondered why your favorite spicy foods suddenly don’t agree with you, or why you feel full after eating just half your usual portion, you’re not alone.

Our digestion slows as we age. And you may experience various symptoms, including heartburn, constipation, gas and bloating, early fullness, and new food intolerances.

See, as we get older, several things happen:

Enzyme production: Your body makes fewer digestive enzymes.

• This means it takes longer to break down foods
• Proteins and fats become particularly challenging to digest

Stomach acid: Many older adults produce less stomach acid.

• Affects how well we absorb nutrients leading to and deficiencies in vitamin B12, calcium, vitamin D, and iron can occur
• It can also impact protein digestion

Gut flora: The balance of beneficial bacteria in your gut often shifts.

• This affects how well we process different foods leading to gas and bloating
• It can impact nutrient absorption

Muscle tone: The muscles that move food through your digestive tract become less efficient.

• This can lead to slower transit time
• Constipation can happen as a result

These changes may be “normal,” but, as one of my mentors used to say, “You don’t have to be normal.”

We can combat some of these age-related changes and support our digestion naturally with…

Digestive support:

• Take digestive enzymes with meals
• Add more fermented foods to your diet
• Eat smaller, more frequent meals
• Chew your food thoroughly (think applesauce consistency)

Helpful herbs:

• Take ginger before meals
• Sip peppermint tea after eating
• Use bitter herbs to stimulate digestion

Getting older doesn’t mean you’re doomed to poor digestion—it just means you need to pay more attention to supporting your body’s natural processes.

Think of digestion like an older car. It still runs great; it just needs a bit more regular maintenance!

Remember, these changes are natural, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything about them. You can keep your digestive system running smoothly at any age with some mindful adjustments.

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

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