Healthy Ageing

Our nutritional status can impact our health as we get older. A healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and regular exercise can help to keep us physically strong, active and independent as we age. Age-related changes in skeletal muscle, influenced by reduced levels of physical activity and malnutrition, can lead to frailty, disability and loss of independence in older adults. From a public health perspective, this has far-reaching implications and FHI is in the process of providing a practical service solution for healthy ageing, with a focus on muscle metabolism. Led by Professor Phil Jakeman (University of Limerick), the aim is to study age-related deterioration of muscle and to use this knowledge to support a lifestyle intervention (nutrition and exercise) that could help people age more comfortably and enjoyably.