Viewers of the TV drama "The Grand Mansion" will surely remember the character Zheng Laopi. His appetite was legendary—he consumed at least 5 jin (25 pounds) of dry rations daily, a feat that would make him an internet sensation today.
When young Zheng Laopi first entered the Bai family compound, he devoured two jin (10 pounds) of pancakes and one jin (5 pounds) of meat in the blink of an eye.To help Master Bai teach his family to eat heartily, he would even scoop leftover food from over a dozen people into a large basin and polish it off completely. Seeing Zheng Laopi's astonishing appetite—eating by the basinful, devouring pancakes by the pound, and enjoying every bite—Master Bai was delighted. He kept Zheng Laopi on as a driver, handyman, and live-streamed eater.When Master Bai was in high spirits, he'd watch a food broadcast for entertainment; when angry, he'd watch one to cheer himself up; and even when captured by the Japanese invaders, he demanded to see Zheng Laopi's broadcast to fortify his resolve...
Decades passed. When the now frail and elderly Zheng Laopi returned to the Bai household, he was a white-haired old man, long since stripped of his former appetite.To plead with Old Master Bai for a position for his grandson, Old Zheng performed his final eating show. Shortly after finishing, he passed away.
While sympathizing with this tragic figure, we must also reflect on the causes of his downfall. From a modern medical perspective, digestive capacity naturally declines with age. Yet in his era, Zheng Laopi remained unaware of these principles, continuing to eat without restraint into old age—a habit that ultimately cost him his life.
Why can't elderly people eat as much as young people?Compared to younger individuals, the elderly produce fewer digestive enzymes with reduced activity, while the liver's bile secretion capacity also diminishes. Digestive enzymes and bile are essential for thorough food breakdown! Insufficient supply of these core substances leads to digestive system malfunction. The elderly constitute such a vulnerable group, which explains why some seniors experience symptoms like early satiety, belching, bloating, and abdominal discomfort after meals.
Elderly individuals should maintain regular eating habits and mindful dietary choices in daily life, minimizing consumption of rich, fatty foods. Should digestive discomfort arise due to oversight, appropriate supplementation with digestive enzymes or medications that promote bile secretion can help alleviate symptoms. Among the digestive enzyme preparations frequently prescribed by hospital physicians is BiTe (Compound Azimite Enteric-Coated Tablets).Why has BiTe gained widespread recognition among gastroenterologists? Its formula contains three enzymes—trypsin, amylase, and lipase—which are released directly in the intestines. This addresses insufficient digestive enzyme secretion in the elderly, ensuring thorough digestion and absorption of ingested proteins, starches, and fats.The azithromycin component in the formula promotes bile secretion. Bile emulsifies fats, allowing digestive enzymes to function more effectively! Additionally, the dimethicone in BiTe quickly relieves bloating. If elderly individuals experience indigestion, they can take 1-2 tablets after meals based on their condition, and their stomach will feel much better shortly afterward!Had Old Man Zheng lived in modern times, understood basic digestive medicine, and kept BiTe on hand, perhaps his life wouldn't have ended in such tragedy.