Projects

Low-grade inflammation is a major component of the aging process and is associated with frailty and deteriorating function with age. Protecting muscle mass and function into old age is an important for maintaining health and adequate intake of high quality protein is necessary for maintenance of skeletal muscle. However, sustainable sources of protein, such as plant protein are needed to reduce the unsustainable consumption of animal source protein.

Plant protein is generally of lower quality compared with animal source protein and therefore moving to alternative protein needs to still be able to meet requirements into old age. Dietary fibre is an important component of the diet which feeds the gut microbiome and helps support a healthy gut function. Loss of gut function, barrier integrity and microbiota dysbiosis are associated with frailty and may be an important component of the gut-muscle inflammatory axis.

This proposal aims to investigate how protein and dietary fibre interact to protect muscle mass and function and develop and evidence-based approach to introducing more sustainable protein and dietary fibre in the diet of an aging population so support a healthier lifespan.

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Funded by: UKRI BBSRC-MRC Ageing and Nutrient Sensing Network

First published: 13 October 2023