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Comparative Study
. 2018 Jun;57(Suppl 2):15-34.
doi: 10.1007/s00394-018-1723-0.

Healthy ageing: the natural consequences of good nutrition-a conference report

D Marsman  1 , D W Belsky  2 , D Gregori  3 , M A Johnson  4 , T Low Dog  5 , S Meydani  6 , S Pigat  7 , R Sadana  8 , A Shao  9 , J C Griffiths  10
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Healthy ageing: the natural consequences of good nutrition-a conference report

D Marsman et al. Eur J Nutr. 2018 Jun.

Abstract

Many countries are witnessing a marked increase in longevity and with this increased lifespan and the desire for healthy ageing, many, however, suffer from the opposite including mental and physical deterioration, lost productivity and quality of life, and increased medical costs. While adequate nutrition is fundamental for good health, it remains unclear what impact various dietary interventions may have on prolonging good quality of life. Studies which span age, geography and income all suggest that access to quality foods, host immunity and response to inflammation/infections, impaired senses (i.e., sight, taste, smell) or mobility are all factors which can limit intake or increase the body's need for specific micronutrients. New clinical studies of healthy ageing are needed and quantitative biomarkers are an essential component, particularly tools which can measure improvements in physiological integrity throughout life, thought to be a primary contributor to a long and productive life (a healthy "lifespan"). A framework for progress has recently been proposed in a WHO report which takes a broad, person-centered focus on healthy ageing, emphasizing the need to better understand an individual's intrinsic capacity, their functional abilities at various life stages, and the impact by mental, and physical health, and the environments they inhabit.

Keywords: Ageing; Biomarkers; Centenarians; Functional ability; Geroprotectors; Immunosenescence; Intrinsic capacity; Lifespan; Micronutrients; Minerals; Nutrition; Quality of life; Vitamins.

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Conflict of interest statement

D.W. Belsky, D. Gregorio, M.A. Johnson, T. Low Dog, S. Meydani, S. Pigat, R. Sadana, A. Shao and J.C. Griffiths had their travel expenses reimbursed by CRN-I. D. Marsman, T. Low Dog, S. Pigat, and A. Shao are employees of their respective companies, Procter & Gamble, Integrative Medicine Concepts, Creme Global, and Amway/Nutrilite. T. Low Dog is also president of Dr. Low Dog’s Apothecary and an employee of Health Lifestyle Brands. J.C. Griffiths is an employee of CRN-International. None of the authors declares any conflict of interest in providing their solely scientific opinion for this review.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Multifaceted aspects of ageing
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Key factors for healthy ageing
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Public health framework for healthy ageing: opportunities for action across the life course
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Distribution of intrinsic capacity score for six countries, SAGE wave 1 (2007–2010), ages 50 +, both sexes
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Ageing is associated with dysregulated immune and inflammatory responses exhibiting increased inflammation on one hand and decreased T-cell-mediated function on the other hand
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Distribution of expected number of stroke events without (gray bars) and with concentrates supplementation (smoothed curves). Data are Monte Carlo microsimulations referred to the decade 2015–2025 for US
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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