Which set of nutrients is cited as potentially having reduced absorption due to age-related GI changes?

• A. Calcium, potassium, and magnesium
• B. Vitamin C and zinc
• C. Vitamin B12 and folate
• D. Calcium, iron, and vitamin D

Answer: (D)

Age-related changes in the digestive system can lessen how well some nutrients are absorbed. Calcium absorption relies on stomach acid to dissolve calcium salts; as people age, gastric acid production often declines, making calcium absorption less efficient. Iron absorption also depends on an acidic environment in the stomach, so reduced acidity with aging can hinder uptake of iron. Vitamin D is fat-soluble and depends on proper fat digestion and absorption; aging can affect fat absorption due to changes in bile and pancreatic enzyme activity, which in turn can reduce vitamin D absorption. Taken together, these factors make calcium, iron, and vitamin D the nutrients most commonly cited as potentially having reduced absorption with age-related GI changes.

Other nutrient groupings don’t align as consistently with this GI aging pattern. For example, B12 absorption is affected by age due to factors like intrinsic factor and atrophic gastritis, but the combination of calcium, iron, and vitamin D most directly reflects the GI absorption changes discussed.