Gerontology and GERD - What's the latest?

Knowledge Pathway Alert: Gerontology

The Gerontology Knowledge Pathway has been updated. Check out these new and updated practice questions: 

Which nutrition screening tools are effective for identifying malnutrition or the risk of malnutrition in older adults independently living in the community?

Which nutrition screening tools are effective for identifying malnutrition or the risk of malnutrition in older adults living in residential care facilities?

Which nutrition screening tools are effective for identifying malnutrition or the risk of malnutrition in older adults in hospital?

What nutritional interventions address changes to appetite, taste and smell in adults aged ≥65 years?

What are the indications for vitamin and mineral supplementation for older adults?

Do dietary fibre supplements help reduce the use of constipation medications in older adults?

What strategies help mildly/moderately dehydrated older adults drink more fluids?

What are the most effective tools for diagnosing low-intake dehydration in older adults?

What are the indications for and nutrition-related complications of enteral nutrition in older adults without dementia who have malnutrition or are at risk of malnutrition?

Looking for related tools, resources, including handouts? They can be found on the Related Tools and Resource page.

What is the Latest on GERD and the need for B12?

What are the considerations related to vitamin B12 status in individuals with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?

A 2022 systematic review of seven observational studies (one cross-sectional, one case-control, five prospective cohort) concluded that chronic PPI use can lower vitamin B12 levels. Further high quality research is required to elucidate this effect.

Clinical guidelines for GERD management recommend that individuals who take PPIs should not be routinely advised to increase their vitamin B12 intake or routinely monitored for vitamin B12 deficiency.

Grade of Evidence C

Cannabis and Nutritional Health: Are you up to date?

Do you know the answers to these questions?

What effect does cannabis have on appetite, body weight and blood lipid levels in adults?

What effect does cannabis have on glycemic control in individuals with diabetes?

To find out, click here.

Looking for more information? See the Cannabis and Health Background, which
includes a variety of information such as:

• Origin and usage
• Different species of cannabis
• Short- and long-term health risks
• Cannabinoids and the Endocannabinoid System
• Implications of cannabinoids on human health
• Regulatory Issues
• Dietitian Scope of Practice
• Resources for Professionals.

In addition, practice guidelines, web links, and other professional tools and resources can be found under the Cannabis and Nutritional Health-Related Tools and Resources tab. Use the Audience, Country and Language sort buttons to narrow your search.

Post-cholecystectomy – Is a Low Fat Diet Needed?

Is a fat-restricted diet needed for individuals with gallbladder disease after cholecystectomy for symptom management?

The authors of a 2020 prospective cohort study (n=83) concluded that dietary fat intake did not affect gastrointestinal symptoms following cholecystectomy. 

A 2013 RCT (n=40) found no significant difference in digestive symptoms following cholecystectomy in participants prescribed a low fat or regular post-surgical diet. 

The 2014 National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines recommend that it is unnecessary for individuals with gallstones to avoid food triggers, including dietary fat, following cholecystectomy.

Grade of Evidence C

To see the full practice question, including the Evidence Summary, Evidence Statements, Comments, Rationale and References, click here.

Interested in more GI content? Did you know that the PEN System has 26 GI Knowledge Pathways! Here are the other 25:

• Gastrointestinal System - Postoperative Feeding
• Gastrointestinal System - Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Gastrointestinal System - Diverticular Disease
• Gastrointestinal System - Pediatric/Paediatric Constipation
• Gastrointestinal System - Gastritis and Peptic Ulcer Disease
• Gastrointestinal System - Gastroesophageal/Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease 
• Gastrointestinal System - Pediatric/Paediatric Gastroesophageal/Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease 
• Gastrointestinal System - Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Gastrointestinal System - Cleansing
• Gastrointestinal System - Probiotics
• Gastrointestinal System - Pancreatitis
• Gastrointestinal System - Pediatric/Paediatric
• Gastrointestinal System - Ostomy
• Gastrointestinal System - Bowel Obstruction
• Gastrointestinal System - Intestinal Permeability
• Gastrointestinal System - Collagenous Sprue
  
• Gastrointestinal System - Irritable Bowel Syndrome: FODMAP
• Gastrointestinal System - Infant Colic
• Gastrointestinal System - Microbiota
• Cancer - Colorectal
• Lactose Intolerance
• Diabetes - Gastroparesis
• Celiac/Coeliac Disease
• Celiac/Coeliac Disease - Type 1 Diabetes

Thank you to our dietetic students Alexandra and Nadina!

For the last two months, the PEN Team has been fortunate to welcome two dietetic students from Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) in Toronto, Canada. Alexandra Breau and Nadina Villacis are both graduate students completing a Master of Health Science in Nutrition Communication and practical training to qualify to become registered dietitians in Canada.

Nadina and Alexandra assessed the PEN System’s current social media strategy and identified opportunities to promote user engagement. The recommendations were summarized into a social media toolkit and an annual plan to showcase new and updated PEN content, feature PEN staff and PEN users, and also connect PEN content with calendar days of significance. Have you checked out our PEN socials lately? Many of their suggestions and recommendations have already been implemented!

Learn more about our fabulous dietetic students on Instagram (@pennutrition). You can also follow our new hashtag #PENNutrition.

Thank you, Alexandra and Nadina, for all of your amazing work!