[Carbohydrate hydrolysis and absorption in the human small intestine in aging].

In old age, a significant increase of the starch hydrolysis and a decrease in the maltose hydrolysis occur, as well as lactose, glucose absorption, fructose and galactose. The starch hydrolysis decreases with further ageing, too, whereas saccharose hydrolysis and pure galactose absorption maintain their levels in old age. In ageing, the enzyme systems maintaining the membrane digestion undergo alterations earlier than the transport systems.