Studied Naturopathic Medicine (Graduated 2010) Fri
🔬 The Silent Drivers Behind Appetite Loss
- Decreased Stomach Acid (Hypochlorhydria)
As we age, stomach acid production often drops.
This leads to: Poor protein digestion Less nutrient absorption (especially B12, iron, zinc) Early satiety (feeling full too fast)
➤ Result: You eat less – and absorb even less. - Low-Grade Inflammation (“Inflammaging”)
Chronic inflammation blunts hunger signals and disrupts metabolic balance.
It’s like your brain is confused about whether you’re hungry or not. - Loss of Muscle Mass (Sarcopenia)
Less muscle → lower resting metabolism → less demand for calories.
But the catch? Eating less only accelerates muscle loss. - Dopamine & Serotonin Dysregulation
These brain chemicals drive appetite, motivation, and pleasure.
Aging, stress, and nutrient deficiencies (especially magnesium and omega-3s) all reduce their production. - Dental Issues & Digestive Discomfort
Chewing problems, reflux, constipation – they all contribute to one thing:
❌ “Eating just isn’t fun anymore.”
🧩 Bonus Insight: Helicobacter pylori in Older Adults
Many people over 50 carry H. pylori – often undetected.
It silently inflames the stomach lining, dulls appetite, and disrupts digestion for years.
➤ Test it. Treat it. Huge improvements in many “mystery” cases.
⚠️ Don’t Call It Normal. It’s Reversible.
Loss of appetite at 60 isn’t “natural” – it’s a red flag.
And it can be reversed with the right steps:
✅ Restore stomach acid (e.g., betaine HCl)
✅ Eat more protein, not less
✅ Rebuild your gut flora
✅ Optimize vitamin D3, omega-3s, B12
✅ Use strength training to reboot hunger signals
✅ Address hidden infections or chronic stressors
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