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Q My mother has been a very healthy person, and her diet has been what I would call balanced.
She always had fresh fruit and vegetables, limited sugar, and watched her salt.
A short time ago, I noticed that she is eating less and less. She has also started to use quite heavy doses of salt on her foods.
When I ask her, she says things don’t taste the same, and she just gets full quicker.
Is this normal, or is it something to have checked out?
(A daughter in McFarland)
A That is a great question because there can be several things that affect the sense of taste. As we age, changes occur throughout our bodies, including in our mouths.The number of taste buds we have declines, and those remaining can become less sensitive to different flavors making food taste “bland.” It leads to an unintended side effect of overusing spices like salt just to make foods taste “normal.”
Try to find out if your mother has started taking any new or different medications. A side effect of some medications can be a change in the way food tastes.
My own mother complained that food tasted like metal after starting a medication to lower her blood pressure.
I have heard that there are as many as 200 different kinds of medications that can alter the sense of taste.
Is her mouth dry? Dry mouth can also alter the way food tastes. Some medications can cause dry mouth, but we also can produce less saliva as we age.
One last thought is that it might not be her sense of taste but her sense of smell. Smell and taste are closely linked, and if her ability to smell is declining, her taste might be affected.
I know that is a lot of information; however, this change could be completely normal, or it could be a symptom of something else.
I would begin by checking in with her doctor. It would be important to know that her weight is not falling below a healthy level and that her blood work is in normal ranges.
Then if everything checks out and medications are not the cause, you could employ some techniques to make her diet more flavorful. Try experimenting with different spices that are low in sodium.
If the problem is dry mouth, she could use lemon drops to stimulate saliva production. There are also special toothpastes and mouthwashes that help with dry mouth — your pharmacist would be able to recommend a product.
You are wise to notice this early. Too often small changes occur and are not addressed until it leads to a larger health issue. She is lucky to have you looking out for her!
Jean Mueller has been a registered nurse for over 30 years. Her experience includes working in home care settings, skilled nursing care, and training individuals to become certified nursing assistants. For the past 13 years, she has worked in the Aging Services department of the Madison Diocese Catholic Charities.